And Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled.
Parallel translations
- WEB Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled.
- KJV And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.
- BSB On the third day Laban was informed that Jacob had fled.
- NASB When Laban was informed on the third day that Jacob had fled,
- NLT Three days later, Laban was told that Jacob had fled.
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
On the third day Laban learns that Jacob has fled. The delay gives Jacob a head start.
Overview
Laban only discovers the flight after Jacob has gained distance, setting up the pursuit that follows. The note of the third day heightens the drama of the chase. God's providence in the timing will protect Jacob, for the Lord soon warns Laban not to harm him.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Exod 14:5–31The king of Egypt was told that the people had fled; and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed towards the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?”
- Job 5:12–13He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands can’t perform their enterprise.
- Gen 30:36He set three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.
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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 31:22 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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