Genesis 31:20

KJV

And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jacob {H3290} stole away {H1589} unawares {H3820} to Laban {H3837} the Syrian {H761}, in that {H5921} he told {H5046} him not {H1097} that he fled {H1272}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and Ya'akov outwitted Lavan the Arami by not telling him of his intended flight.

Berean Standard Bible

Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was running away.

American Standard Version

And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 31:20 vividly portrays Jacob's clandestine departure from Laban, his uncle and father-in-law, marking a pivotal and secretive break from two decades of strained and often exploitative service in Haran. This deliberate act of stealth, driven by deep-seated distrust and Laban's manipulative character, enabled Jacob to initiate his long-awaited journey back to the Promised Land, revealing both his characteristic cunning and the overarching guidance of God amidst complex human dynamics.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 31:20 is situated at a crucial turning point in Jacob's life, following twenty years of service to Laban, during which Jacob's family and wealth grew significantly. The immediate preceding verses detail God's direct command to Jacob to "return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred" ([Genesis 31:3](/genesis/31-3 "God's instruction to Jacob to return home")), a divine imperative that validates Jacob's desire to leave. Jacob then consults with Leah and Rachel, who express their profound disillusionment with their father Laban, asserting that he had "sold" them and "devoured" their wealth ([Genesis 31:14-16](/genesis/31-14-16 "Rachel and Leah's agreement to leave Laban")). This collective agreement and divine mandate set the stage for Jacob's departure. Knowing Laban's avarice and manipulative tendencies, Jacob's decision to leave secretly, as described in verse 20, is a pragmatic response to anticipate and circumvent Laban's inevitable attempts to hinder his departure or reclaim his accumulated possessions and family.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the patriarchal society of the ancient Near East, family ties, especially between a father-in-law and son-in-law, were often governed by specific customs concerning dowries, inheritance, and labor agreements. Laban's repeated alteration of Jacob's wages ten times ([Genesis 31:7](/genesis/31-7 "Laban's changing wages") and [Genesis 31:41](/genesis/31-41 "Jacob's 20 years with Laban")) was a severe breach of customary law and trust, highlighting his exploitative nature. The designation "Laban the Syrian" (or Aramaean, from the Hebrew *ha'Arami*) is significant, emphasizing his distinct cultural and geographical identity from Jacob, who was a Hebrew returning to Canaan. This distinction underscores the foreignness of Laban's culture and the inherent tension between Jacob, the heir of the Abrahamic covenant, and his manipulative Aramaean relative. Jacob's secret flight was a desperate measure to escape a legally and socially entangled situation where open negotiation was likely to fail.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 31:20 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Guidance and Providence**, as God actively directs Jacob's return to the Promised Land, despite Jacob's flawed methods. Secondly, it underscores the persistent theme of **Human Cunning and Deception**, a trait often associated with Jacob himself (e.g., [Genesis 27](/genesis/27 "Jacob's Deception of Isaac")). Here, Jacob employs his shrewdness to escape Laban's control, mirroring the very deception Laban had practiced against him. Thirdly, the verse marks a crucial step in the **Fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant**, as Jacob's return to Canaan is essential for the continuation of the promised lineage and the eventual formation of the nation of Israel. Finally, it exemplifies the theme of **Conflict and Reconciliation within Family**, though in this instance, it's a necessary separation before a tense reconciliation, ultimately showcasing God's ability to work through fractured relationships to achieve His purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 31:20 precisely states that "And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled." This verse details Jacob's deliberate and surreptitious departure, emphasizing the stealth and secrecy of his actions. The Hebrew verb used, *ganav* (גָּנַב), literally means "to steal," but in this context, it conveys the act of slipping away secretly or clandestinely, underscoring that Jacob did not merely leave but actively concealed his movements from Laban. The designation "Laban the Syrian" (or Aramaean) serves to highlight the cultural and geographical distinction between him and Jacob, who was returning to Canaan, emphasizing the foreignness and potential threat Laban represented.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **stole away (Hebrew, _gânab'_):** From H1589, a primitive root meaning "to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive." In this context, it signifies Jacob's act of secretly removing himself and his family, effectively deceiving Laban by his unannounced departure. It emphasizes the clandestine nature of his actions, not necessarily a physical theft, but a stealthy evasion.
* **unawares (Hebrew, _lêb'_ with _bᵉlîy'_):** The KJV translates "unawares" from a combination of H3820 (*lêb*, "heart" or "mind") and H1097 (*bᵉlîy*, "without" or "not"). Literally, it means "without his heart" or "without his knowledge/mind," indicating that Laban was completely ignorant of Jacob's intentions and actions. This highlights the complete surprise and lack of consent on Laban's part, underscoring the depth of Jacob's secrecy.
* **fled (Hebrew, _bârach'_):** From H1272, a primitive root meaning "to bolt, i.e., figuratively, to flee suddenly." This word emphasizes the urgency and swiftness of Jacob's departure. It was not a leisurely journey but a rapid escape, driven by the need to gain a significant head start before Laban could discover his absence and pursue him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian":** This clause establishes the central action of the verse: Jacob's secretive departure. The phrase "stole away unawares" highlights the deliberate deceit and stealth employed by Jacob, ensuring Laban had no knowledge or expectation of his flight. The identification of Laban as "the Syrian" serves to underscore his foreignness and perhaps to subtly justify Jacob's actions by emphasizing the cultural and ethical divide between them, given Laban's previous exploitation.
* **"in that he told him not that he fled":** This explanatory clause clarifies *how* Jacob stole away unawares—by deliberately withholding information. It explicitly states the omission that constituted the deception. Jacob's failure to inform Laban of his intention to flee was the direct cause of Laban's ignorance, emphasizing Jacob's active role in orchestrating this secret departure. This was a calculated move to prevent Laban from interfering with his plans or reclaiming what Jacob believed was rightfully his.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices. **Characterization** is prominent, revealing Jacob's enduring reliance on cunning and strategic deception, a trait evident since his procurement of Esau's birthright. This act, though divinely sanctioned in its ultimate goal, showcases Jacob's human tendency to achieve righteous ends through questionable means. There is also an element of **Irony**, as Jacob, who was himself deceived by Laban regarding Rachel and Leah, now employs deception against Laban. This reflects the cyclical nature of their strained relationship. Furthermore, the phrase "stole away unawares" uses **Euphemism** or **Understatement** for a full-scale, unannounced migration of an entire household and vast flocks, emphasizing the stealth over the magnitude. The specific naming of "Laban the Syrian" serves as a **Foil**, contrasting Laban's foreign, manipulative character with Jacob's destiny as the patriarch of Israel, highlighting the necessary separation for the covenant people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 31:20 profoundly illustrates the tension between divine sovereignty and human agency. While God had explicitly commanded Jacob to return to his homeland, Jacob chose a deceptive and secretive method to achieve this divinely ordained goal. This highlights that God often works through imperfect individuals and their flawed decisions, yet His ultimate purposes prevail. The verse also speaks to the nature of trust and betrayal within relationships, particularly family, demonstrating how self-interest and exploitation can erode fundamental bonds, necessitating drastic measures for liberation. It underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, as He protects and prospers Jacob even amidst such ethically complex circumstances, guiding him back to the land promised to Abraham.

* [Proverbs 11:3](/proverbs/11-3 "Integrity guides the upright")
* [Psalm 37:5](/psalms/37-5 "Commit your way to the Lord")
* [Hebrews 11:8](/hebrews/11-8 "Abraham's obedience by faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 31:20 offers profound insights for believers navigating complex relationships and discerning God's will today. It reminds us that even biblical heroes, chosen by God for significant roles, were imperfect and sometimes employed questionable means to achieve their ends. While God can work through flawed individuals and difficult situations to advance His purposes, Jacob's method here is not presented as an ideal for integrity or transparency. The narrative highlights the complexities of navigating strained relationships, especially when one party is exploitative or manipulative; sometimes, a decisive break is necessary for spiritual, emotional, and personal freedom. However, the ideal pursuit of such separation should be marked by integrity and prayerful reliance on God for a clear and honorable path, rather than resorting to deception. Ultimately, this passage reassures us that God's plan for us can prevail even amidst human imperfections and challenging circumstances, guiding us toward our divine calling and purpose despite our own failings or the obstacles posed by others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I balance relying on God's clear guidance with my own strategic planning, especially in difficult situations?**
* **When faced with manipulative or exploitative relationships, what is the biblical ideal for disengagement, and what are the practical realities that might influence my approach?**
* **How does Jacob's story encourage me about God's faithfulness, even when my own actions or circumstances are less than ideal?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to use "cunning" instead of fully trusting God for a clear and righteous path?**

### FAQ
**Was Jacob's deception in leaving Laban justified?**

Answer: While the text does not explicitly condemn Jacob's method, it portrays it as a strategic necessity given Laban's manipulative and exploitative nature. Jacob had received a clear divine command to return to his homeland ([Genesis 31:3](/genesis/31-3 "God's instruction to Jacob to return home")), and his wives agreed that Laban had treated them unjustly, effectively selling them and consuming their dowry ([Genesis 31:14-16](/genesis/31-14-16 "Rachel and Leah's agreement to leave Laban")). Jacob's secret departure was a pragmatic response to a difficult and potentially dangerous situation, anticipating Laban's likely refusal or obstruction. From a moral standpoint, it reflects Jacob's ongoing struggle with relying on his own shrewdness rather than fully trusting God for a clear path, yet God still used his actions to fulfill His overarching plan.

**What is the significance of calling Laban "the Syrian" (or Aramaean) in this verse?**

Answer: The designation "Laban the Syrian" (Hebrew: *ha'Arami*) emphasizes his distinct ethnic and geographical identity, contrasting him with Jacob, who was returning to Canaan, the land of promise. It highlights Laban's foreignness and his position as an outsider to the covenant promises given to Abraham's lineage. This distinction underscores the cultural and spiritual separation that Jacob needed to make to fully embrace his destiny as the patriarch of Israel. It also subtly reinforces the idea of Jacob's liberation from a foreign, exploitative influence, marking the definitive end of his entanglement with the household of his mother's brother.

**How does this verse illustrate God's use of imperfect people?**

Answer: Genesis 31:20 clearly shows Jacob, a pivotal figure in salvation history, employing deception to achieve his aims. Despite Jacob's flawed character and methods, God's plan to bring him back to the Promised Land and establish the nation of Israel continued to unfold. This illustrates that God's purposes are not contingent on human perfection. He sovereignly works through fallen individuals, using their strengths and even their weaknesses, to accomplish His will, demonstrating His grace and power to redeem and direct human actions towards His ultimate glory. This narrative reassures us that God can use anyone, regardless of their past or present imperfections, to accomplish His divine will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jacob's clandestine departure from Laban, a necessary break from servitude and exploitation to return to the promised land and fulfill God's covenant, profoundly prefigures the greater liberation and journey to the true inheritance accomplished by Jesus Christ. Just as Jacob was delivered from Laban's oppressive hand to pursue his divine destiny, Christ delivers humanity from the spiritual bondage of sin and death, leading His people into the promised rest and eternal inheritance of the New Covenant. While Jacob's method was flawed and born of human cunning, Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death provide the true, righteous means of escape from spiritual slavery, as declared in [John 8:36](/john/8-36 "Freedom in Christ"), "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Through His redemptive work, Christ "has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Delivered from darkness")), establishing a people who are truly free to follow God's call to their heavenly home. Jacob's journey was a shadow of the ultimate journey of faith that believers embark upon with Christ, finding their true rest and inheritance not in a geographical land, but in the presence of God through Him ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "The Sabbath Rest for God's People")).

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.