Genesis 31:16

KJV

For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that [is] ours, and our children's: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.

KJV (with Strong's)

For all the riches {H6239} which God {H430} hath taken {H5337} from our father {H1}, that is ours, and our children's {H1121}: now then, whatsoever God {H430} hath said {H559} unto thee, do {H6213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Nevertheless, the wealth which God has taken away from our father has become ours and our children's anyway; so whatever God has told you to do, do."

Berean Standard Bible

Surely all the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. So do whatever God has told you.”

American Standard Version

For all the riches which God hath taken away from our father, that is ours and our children’s: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 31:16](/genesis/31-16 "The Affirmation of Leah and Rachel") marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel, as the sisters affirm their unwavering loyalty to Jacob and express profound trust in God's providential leading. Their words underscore a deep recognition of God's active hand in their lives, particularly in securing their rightful inheritance, and issue a clear call to immediate and complete obedience to His divine will.

### CONTEXT
This verse concludes a critical dialogue between Jacob, Leah, and Rachel, occurring at the climax of Jacob’s twenty-year sojourn with his uncle and father-in-law, Laban, in Paddan-Aram. Laban had repeatedly exploited Jacob, deceitfully changing his wages ten times ([Genesis 31:7](/genesis/31-7 "Laban's deceitful changes to Jacob's wages")). Despite Laban's schemes, God intervened to ensure Jacob’s prosperity and protect his family ([Genesis 31:9](/genesis/31-9 "God's divine intervention for Jacob's prosperity")). God then explicitly commanded Jacob to return to the land of his fathers ([Genesis 31:3](/genesis/31-3 "God commands Jacob to return to Canaan"), [Genesis 31:13](/genesis/31-13 "God's explicit command to Jacob to return")). In [Genesis 31:15](/genesis/31-15 "Leah and Rachel's grievance against Laban"), Leah and Rachel express their deep alienation from Laban, feeling he had treated them as strangers and "sold" them, effectively squandering their bridal price. Their statement in [Genesis 31:16](/genesis/31-16 "Leah and Rachel's declaration of solidarity") is a powerful declaration of solidarity with Jacob and an acknowledgment of God's divine justice, setting the stage for their imminent departure from Laban's household and their return to Canaan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 31:16](/genesis/31-16 "Leah and Rachel's counsel to Jacob") encapsulates the sisters' complete alignment with Jacob's decision to depart from Laban, grounding their support in both a recognition of divine justice and a commitment to divine command. Their declaration is twofold, addressing both the material provision and the spiritual directive.

* **"For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that [is] ours, and our children's"**: This opening clause reveals Leah and Rachel's profound understanding of divine providence and justice. They do not merely see Jacob's accumulated wealth as the result of his labor or Laban's grudging concession, but as a direct act of God. The Hebrew phrase "_he'etzil Elohim me'avinu_", translated "God hath taken from our father," implies a sovereign transfer or removal. It suggests that God actively intervened to reclaim what was rightfully due to Jacob and his family, transferring it from Laban's unjust control. This highlights God's role as the ultimate dispenser of justice, ensuring that even in situations of exploitation, His covenant people are provided for and their rights upheld. The declaration that these riches belong to "ours, and our children's" underscores the concept of rightful inheritance and God's provision for future generations, establishing Jacob’s household as a distinct entity under God's blessing. This shared grievance against Laban and mutual recognition of God’s blessing fostered a strong sense of family solidarity, essential for their journey ahead, despite their historical rivalry ([Genesis 30:1](/genesis/30-1 "Rachel's envy and desire for children")).

* **"now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do"**: This concluding imperative serves as a crucial endorsement of Jacob's decision to leave Laban. It shifts the focus from what God *has done* (provision and justice) to what God *has commanded*. The sisters' counsel emphasizes the paramount importance of immediate and full obedience to God's revealed will, even when it requires significant life changes, confrontation, or stepping into the unknown. This statement is not merely an agreement but an exhortation, urging Jacob to act decisively based on God's clear instruction. It reflects a deep faith that God's commands are always for their good and that obedience is the path to security and blessing.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Sovereignty over Material Possessions:** The sisters' declaration, "God hath taken from our father," powerfully asserts God's ultimate ownership and control over wealth. He is not merely a passive observer but actively redistributes resources according to His justice and covenant purposes, ensuring His people are provided for.
* **God as the Righteous Judge:** This verse highlights God's character as a God of justice who sees injustice and rights wrongs. He intervenes on behalf of the oppressed and ensures that those who exploit others do not ultimately prosper at the expense of His chosen ones.
* **The Primacy of Obedience to God's Word:** The command "whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do" is a foundational biblical principle. It underscores that divine revelation demands an immediate and unreserved response, forming the basis of a faithful relationship with God. This theme resonates throughout Scripture, from Abraham's call ([Genesis 12:1](/genesis/12-1 "God's call to Abraham")) to the New Testament's emphasis on living in obedience to Christ's commands ([John 14:15](/john/14-15 "Jesus' teaching on loving obedience")).
* **Covenant Faithfulness and Provision:** God's intervention on Jacob's behalf, securing his wealth and commanding his return, is an act of covenant faithfulness. It demonstrates God's commitment to fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ensuring their prosperity and the establishment of their lineage.
* **Unity in God's Will:** Despite their personal rivalries, Leah and Rachel unite in their recognition of God's hand and their shared commitment to obedience. This illustrates how a common understanding of God's will can foster unity and resolve within a family or community, even amidst internal tensions.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 31:16](/genesis/31-16 "Lessons from Leah and Rachel") offers timeless lessons for believers today, reminding us to trust implicitly in God's providence. It assures us that God sees every injustice and will ultimately work all things for the good of those who are His. Even when circumstances seem unfair or when we feel exploited, God is able to turn situations for our benefit and provide for our needs in ways we cannot foresee. Furthermore, Leah and Rachel's unwavering counsel to "whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do" serves as a powerful call to radical obedience to God's Word. Our greatest security, peace, and blessing come from aligning our lives completely with His divine will, even when it requires courage, significant life changes, or stepping out in faith, much like Jacob's departure from Laban's influence and his subsequent transformative encounter at Peniel ([Genesis 32:24](/genesis/32-24 "Jacob's struggle at Peniel")).

### FAQ
**Why is the affirmation of Leah and Rachel so significant to Jacob's decision?**

Answer: Leah and Rachel's affirmation is crucial because it provides Jacob with the necessary spousal support and validation for a momentous, potentially dangerous, decision. As his wives and mothers of his children, their agreement signified family unity and a shared commitment to God's will, which was essential for a successful and unified departure from Laban's household. It also confirmed that they, too, recognized God's hand in their lives and His command for Jacob to leave.

**What does "God hath taken from our father" imply about divine justice?**

Answer: This phrase implies that God is actively involved in administering justice, especially when His people are exploited. It's not merely that Jacob earned the wealth, but that God sovereignly intervened to transfer it from Laban, who had repeatedly cheated Jacob, to Jacob's family. This demonstrates God's role as a righteous judge who ensures His covenant people receive what is due to them, even if it means reallocating resources from the unjust.

**How does this verse relate to the broader narrative of Jacob's life?**

Answer: [Genesis 31:16](/genesis/31-16 "Jacob's narrative context") is a turning point. It marks the culmination of Jacob's twenty-year ordeal under Laban's deceit and the beginning of his return to the Promised Land. The sisters' affirmation of God's provision and command empowers Jacob to finally obey God's instruction to leave, setting the stage for his reconciliation with Esau and his eventual establishment as the patriarch of the twelve tribes of Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[Genesis 31:16](/genesis/31-16 "Christ's fulfillment in Genesis 31:16") foreshadows the ultimate divine provision and call to obedience found in Christ. Just as God "took" riches from Laban and gave them to Jacob's family as their rightful inheritance, so too does God, through Christ, reclaim humanity from the dominion of sin and death, transferring the spiritual riches of salvation, righteousness, and eternal life to those who are His. Christ Himself perfectly embodied the command "whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do," demonstrating complete and unwavering obedience to the Father's will, even unto death on the cross. His perfect obedience secured our spiritual inheritance, which is "ours, and our children's" in the new covenant. Thus, the material provision and call to obedience in this verse point to Christ as the one who brings true liberation, establishes a new family under God's blessing, and perfectly fulfills the Father's commands, inviting all believers into a life of faith and obedience in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.