Jacob deceived Laban the Syrian, in that he didn’t tell him that he was running away.
Parallel translations
- KJV And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.
- BSB Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was running away.
- NKJV And Jacob stole away, unknown to Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee.
- NASB And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was fleeing.
- NLT Jacob outwitted Laban the Aramean, for they set out secretly and never told Laban they were leaving.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jacob deceives Laban by fleeing without telling him. He leaves secretly to avoid Laban's interference.
Overview
Jacob's covert departure reflects his fear of Laban, given the deceit he had long suffered. While understandable, the secrecy adds to the pattern of deception that has marked Jacob's life. God nonetheless protects Jacob, but the strained, mistrustful parting shows the bitter fruit of years of mutual scheming.
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 31:20 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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