Genesis 31:18

KJV

And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he carried away {H5090} all his cattle {H4735}, and all his goods {H7399} which he had gotten {H7408}, the cattle {H4735} of his getting {H7075}, which he had gotten {H7408} in Padanaram {H6307}, for to go {H935} to Isaac {H3327} his father {H1} in the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and carried off all his livestock, along with all the riches he had accumulated, the livestock in his possession which he had acquired in Paddan-Aram, to go to Yitz'chak his father in the land of Kena'an.

Berean Standard Bible

and he drove all his livestock before him, along with all the possessions he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land in Canaan.

American Standard Version

and he carried away all his cattle, and all his substance which he had gathered, the cattle of his getting, which he had gathered in Paddan-aram, to go to Isaac his father unto the land of Canaan.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 31:18 meticulously details Jacob's strategic and divinely sanctioned exodus from Padanaram. After two decades of service to Laban, Jacob, obedient to God's command, gathered his extensive livestock and all his accumulated possessions—wealth miraculously multiplied by divine favor—and set forth on the arduous journey to reunite with his father Isaac in the promised land of Canaan, marking a pivotal moment in the unfolding covenant narrative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial turning point, immediately following God's explicit command for Jacob to [return to the land of his fathers and kindred](/genesis/31-3 "God's Command to Jacob to Return"). The preceding chapters, particularly [Genesis 29-30](/genesis/29 "Jacob's Marriage and Family") and [Genesis 30:25-43](/genesis/30-25-43 "Jacob's Prosperity and Laban's Deceit"), detail Jacob's twenty years of service under Laban, characterized by Laban's repeated deceit and Jacob's shrewd, yet ultimately divinely blessed, accumulation of immense wealth in flocks and servants. The narrative builds tension as Jacob perceives Laban's changing countenance and hears the complaints of Laban's sons, signaling that his time in Padanaram must end. Jacob's secret departure, described in this verse, is a direct response to both divine instruction and the increasingly hostile environment, setting the stage for the dramatic confrontation with Laban that follows in [Genesis 31:22-42](/genesis/31-22-42 "Laban Pursues Jacob").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, livestock (`miqneh`) represented the primary form of wealth and capital. A man's standing and prosperity were largely measured by the size of his flocks and herds. The practice of a son-in-law serving a father-in-law for a wife was common, but Laban's repeated manipulation of Jacob's wages (changing them ten times, as mentioned in [Genesis 31:7](/genesis/31-7 "Laban's Deceitful Practices")) was an extreme abuse of this custom. Padanaram, or Paddan-Aram, refers to the "plain of Aram" in northwestern Mesopotamia, a significant distance from Canaan. Jacob's journey back to Canaan was not merely a geographical relocation but a return to his ancestral homeland and the sphere of God's covenant promises. The secrecy of his departure was a pragmatic necessity, given Laban's possessive and manipulative character, who would undoubtedly have tried to retain Jacob's wealth and family.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several major themes central to the book of Genesis. It highlights **Divine Providence and Blessing**, as Jacob's vast wealth, despite Laban's schemes, is attributed to God's direct intervention and blessing (cf. [Genesis 30:27-43](/genesis/30-27-43 "God's Blessing on Jacob's Flocks")). It underscores **Obedience to God's Call**, as Jacob's departure is a direct response to the Lord's command to return to his homeland (cf. [Genesis 31:3](/genesis/31-3 "God's Command to Jacob")). The journey's destination, "the land of Canaan," reinforces the theme of **Covenant Fulfillment** and the continuity of God's promises made to Abraham and Isaac regarding the land and their numerous descendants. Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **God's Protection and Guidance** as Jacob embarks on a perilous journey with his entire household and possessions, foreshadowing God's continued oversight.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **carried away (Hebrew, _nâhag'_):** This verb signifies the act of driving forth or leading away, often with a sense of urgency or force. In this context, it highlights Jacob's decisive and comprehensive action in moving his entire household and possessions. It conveys the physical effort and the strategic, perhaps hurried, nature of his exodus from Laban's domain, implying a calculated departure to avoid confrontation.
* **cattle (Hebrew, _miqneh'_):** This term specifically refers to acquired property, primarily livestock (sheep, goats, camels, donkeys), which was the principal form of wealth in the ancient Near East. Its inclusion emphasizes the immense material prosperity Jacob had accumulated. This "cattle" represents the tangible evidence of God's faithfulness and blessing upon Jacob, despite Laban's deceitful practices, as it was the means by which Jacob's wealth was measured and multiplied.
* **getting (Hebrew, _qinyân'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to acquire" or "to create," this noun denotes acquisition, purchase, or wealth. Its repetition in the verse ("cattle of his getting," "which he had gotten") powerfully underscores that the vast wealth Jacob possessed was not inherited but was obtained through his labor and, more importantly, through God's miraculous intervention and blessing. It validates Jacob's legitimate claim over these possessions against any potential dispute from Laban, emphasizing divine enablement.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he carried away all his cattle":** This opening phrase immediately establishes Jacob's primary action—the physical removal of his vast livestock, which constituted the foundational element of his wealth. The verb "carried away" (nâhag) implies a deliberate, comprehensive, and perhaps swift movement, emphasizing the sheer scale of his departure and the urgency behind it.
* **"and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram":** This highly repetitive and emphatic clause powerfully underscores both the sheer volume and the legitimate source of Jacob's accumulated wealth. "Goods" (rekûwsh) refers to general property, while the repeated "cattle of his getting" and "which he had gotten" (qinyân, rākash) highlight that this vast fortune was not inherited but acquired through his diligent labor and, crucially, through God's miraculous intervention and blessing during his two decades in Padanaram. It serves to validate his claim to these possessions despite Laban's attempts to defraud him.
* **"for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan":** This final clause clarifies the ultimate purpose and destination of Jacob's arduous journey. His return to "Isaac his father" signifies a familial reunion and, more significantly, a return to the patriarchal lineage and the divinely promised land of Canaan. This destination is not arbitrary but is the direct fulfillment of God's command and the continuation of the covenant narrative, establishing the next stage of God's plan for the nascent nation of Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices. **Repetition** is prominent with the phrase "which he had gotten," emphasizing the vastness of Jacob's acquired wealth and underscoring its legitimate, divinely-blessed origin despite Laban's deceit. This repetition creates a strong sense of **Emphasis**, highlighting that Jacob's prosperity was not accidental but a testament to God's faithfulness. The meticulous enumeration of "all his cattle, and all his goods" also serves as **Hyperbole** to convey the immense scale of Jacob's departure, signifying a complete and comprehensive relocation. Furthermore, the verse functions as a narrative **Transition**, marking the end of Jacob's sojourn in Padanaram and the beginning of his return to the promised land, a critical step in the unfolding of God's covenant plan for Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 31:18 powerfully illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereign provision for His chosen servant. Jacob's immense wealth, explicitly stated as "cattle of his getting," was not merely the result of his shrewdness or labor, but a direct manifestation of God's blessing, fulfilling His promise to prosper Jacob despite Laban's repeated deceptions. This highlights a profound theological truth: God's covenant promises are upheld even in challenging circumstances, demonstrating His active involvement in the lives of His people. Jacob's journey back to Canaan, the land promised to Abraham and Isaac, signifies his obedience to God's command and marks a crucial step in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, bringing the patriarch closer to the realization of the covenant and the formation of the nation of Israel.

* [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "The Abrahamic Covenant")
* [Genesis 28:15](/genesis/28-15 "God's Promise to Jacob at Bethel")
* [Deuteronomy 8:18](/deuteronomy/8-18 "God Gives Power to Get Wealth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 31:18 offers profound lessons on trusting God's provision and guidance, especially during significant life transitions. Jacob's journey, laden with all the wealth he had acquired through two decades of labor and divine blessing, serves as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in equipping and prospering His people, even in foreign or oppressive environments. For believers today, this narrative encourages a posture of obedience when God calls us to new seasons or locations, confident that He orchestrates our circumstances, provides for our needs, and protects our journey. Just as God promised Jacob at Bethel, "I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest" ([Genesis 28:15](/genesis/28-15 "God's Promise of Presence and Protection to Jacob")), we can rest assured in His presence and provision. This passage reminds us that our "getting"—our resources, talents, and opportunities—are ultimately from God, enabling us to fulfill His divine purposes and contribute to His kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life have you experienced God's provision and blessing, even amidst challenging circumstances?**
* **How does Jacob's obedience to God's command to return to Canaan inspire you to follow God's leading in your own life, especially when it involves significant transitions?**
* **Considering that Jacob's wealth was "of his getting" but ultimately from God, how does this perspective shape your view of your own possessions and resources?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jacob depart from Laban secretly?**

Answer: Jacob's secret departure was a strategic and necessary move born out of a well-founded fear of Laban's reaction. Laban had repeatedly cheated Jacob, manipulated his wages, and demonstrated a possessive nature, making it highly probable he would attempt to prevent Jacob from leaving with the substantial wealth God had blessed him with. Jacob waited for Laban to be away shearing sheep, a common and time-consuming activity, indicating a calculated decision to avoid confrontation and ensure the safe passage of his entire family and extensive possessions, as God had instructed him to return to Canaan ([Genesis 31:3](/genesis/31-3 "God's Command to Jacob to Return")).

**What is the significance of the repeated phrase "which he had gotten" or "cattle of his getting"?**

Answer: The repetition of "which he had gotten" (from the Hebrew roots *rākash* and *qinyân*) and "cattle of his getting" serves a crucial dual purpose. Firstly, it emphasizes the sheer vastness of Jacob's accumulated wealth, highlighting the immense scale of his departure. Secondly, and more importantly, it underscores the divine source of his prosperity. While Jacob worked diligently, the text consistently attributes his success and the multiplication of his flocks to God's blessing and direct intervention, particularly in how his flocks multiplied despite Laban's attempts to defraud him ([Genesis 30:27-43](/genesis/30-27-43 "Jacob's Prosperity Through Divine Blessing")). It asserts that his "getting" was not solely by human effort but by divine enablement, fulfilling God's covenant promises and validating Jacob's legitimate claim over these possessions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 31:18, depicting Jacob's obedient return to the promised land with all his divinely provided possessions, profoundly foreshadows Christ's ultimate work of redemption and His role as the true inheritor and provider. Just as Jacob was led by God back to the physical inheritance of Canaan, Christ, the greater Jacob, leads His people to the spiritual inheritance of eternal life and the heavenly Canaan ([Hebrews 4:9-11](/hebrews/4-9-11 "The Promise of Rest for God's People")). He is the ultimate Provider who gathers His elect from every nation, equipping them with spiritual blessings "in heavenly places" ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Spiritual Blessings in Christ")) for their journey of faith. Moreover, Christ's perfect obedience to the Father's will, even unto death on the cross, ensures the fulfillment of all God's covenant promises, making Him the ultimate "heir of all things" ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Christ, Heir of All Things")) and the one through whom believers receive their true, lasting inheritance—not of earthly cattle and goods, but of eternal life and co-heirship with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Heirs with Christ")).

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.

Cross-References

Genesis 28:21

So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:

Genesis 27:1

¶ And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, [here am] I.

Genesis 27:2

And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death:

Genesis 27:41

¶ And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

Genesis 35:27

And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which [is] Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.

Genesis 35:29

And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, [being] old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.