And Jacob saw from the countenance of Laban that his attitude toward him had changed.
Parallel translations
- WEB Jacob saw the expression on Laban’s face, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
- KJV And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
- NKJV And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before.
- NASB And Jacob saw the attitude of Laban, and behold, it was not friendly toward him as it had been before.
- NLT And Jacob began to notice a change in Laban’s attitude toward him.
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 notices that Laban's attitude toward him has soured. The friendly relationship has clearly changed.
Overview
Jacob perceives a shift in Laban's countenance, sensing the growing tension and envy. This relational breakdown, together with his sons' complaints, makes Jacob's continued stay untenable. God uses these outward circumstances, alongside his direct word, to move Jacob toward the land of promise.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Dan 3:19At this, Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave orders to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual,
- Gen 4:5but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell.
- 1 Sam 18:9–11And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
- Gen 30:27But Laban replied, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you.”
- 1 Sam 19:7So Jonathan summoned David and told him all these things. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul to serve him as he had before.
- Deut 28:54The most gentle and refined man among you will begrudge his brother, the wife he embraces, and the rest of his children who have survived,
- Deut 19:4Now this is the situation regarding the manslayer who flees to one of these cities to save his life, having killed his neighbor accidentally, without intending to harm him:
- Exod 4:10“Please, Lord,” Moses replied, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 31:2 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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