Genesis 31:19

And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that [were] her father's.

And Laban {H3837} went {H1980} to shear {H1494} his sheep {H6629}: and Rachel {H7354} had stolen {H1589} the images {H8655} that were her father's {H1}.

Now Lavan had gone to shear his sheep, so Rachel stole the household idols that belonged to her father,

Now while Laban was out shearing his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household idols.

Now Laban was gone to shear his sheep: and Rachel stole the teraphim that were her father’s.

Commentary

Context of Genesis 31:19

Genesis 31:19 is situated during a pivotal moment in Jacob's life. After two decades of service and often deceptive dealings with his uncle and father-in-law, Laban, Jacob is preparing to secretly depart from Haran with his wives, children, and vast possessions. This verse describes the opportune moment for their departure: Laban's absence for sheep shearing, a significant annual event involving a journey to the pastures, often far from home, and a time of great focus on the flock.

The verse highlights Rachel's controversial act: "Rachel had stolen the images that [were] her father's." These "images" become a central point of conflict later in the chapter, underscoring the complex dynamics and lingering pagan influences within Jacob's household, even as they sought to return to the land promised to Abraham and Isaac.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Deception and Dishonesty: Rachel's theft adds another layer of familial deception to the narrative, echoing earlier instances of trickery within Jacob's own life and Laban's dealings. This act precipitates Laban's pursuit and intense search, as seen in Laban's accusation and search for his gods in Genesis 31:30.
  • Superstition vs. Faith: The "images" (teraphim) represent a lingering attachment to pagan practices or superstitions. Despite being part of Jacob's household, which was journeying back to the land of the true God, Rachel clung to these household idols. This contrasts sharply with Jacob's later command for his household to put away foreign gods before approaching God at Bethel.
  • Laban's Materialism and Idolatry: Laban's intense reaction to the theft of these images reveals his deep attachment to them, whether for their perceived spiritual power, their value as property, or their significance as symbols of familial authority or inheritance rights. His pursuit of Jacob is not just for his runaway family but also for these "gods."
  • Divine Orchestration: Even amidst the human flaws, deceptions, and idolatry, God's providence is at work. Laban's absence provides the window for Jacob's departure, fulfilling God's command for Jacob to return to his homeland.

Linguistic Insights: The "Teraphim"

The Hebrew word translated as "images" in the KJV is teraphim (תְּרָפִים). These were household idols, often associated with divination or used as symbols of family ownership and inheritance rights in the ancient Near East. Their exact purpose is debated among scholars, but they clearly held significant value to Laban, whether religious, economic, or legal. They could be small enough to be hidden easily, as Rachel demonstrates in Genesis 31:34 by placing them under a camel's saddle.

Practical Application

Genesis 31:19 serves as a reminder that even within the lives of those connected to God's covenant people, there can be lingering attachments to worldly practices or "idols." Rachel's act highlights:

  • The challenge of fully letting go of old ways and superstitions when embracing a new path of faith.
  • The importance of examining our own lives for anything that takes the place of God's rightful sovereignty. These "images" can be anything from physical possessions to desires, relationships, or even our own self-reliance.
  • God's faithfulness to His promises, working through imperfect individuals and messy situations to accomplish His divine purposes. He guides His people even when they make flawed choices, bringing them to their intended destination.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 19:13

    And Michal took an image, and laid [it] in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' [hair] for his bolster, and covered [it] with a cloth.

  • Genesis 31:30

    And now, [though] thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, [yet] wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?

  • Hosea 3:4

    For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and [without] teraphim:

  • Ezekiel 21:21

    For the king of Babylon stood at the parting of the way, at the head of the two ways, to use divination: he made [his] arrows bright, he consulted with images, he looked in the liver.

  • Genesis 35:2

    Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that [were] with him, Put away the strange gods that [are] among you, and be clean, and change your garments:

  • Genesis 31:34

    Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found [them] not.

  • Genesis 31:32

    With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what [is] thine with me, and take [it] to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.
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