And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
Parallel translations
- WEB Jacob saw the expression on Laban’s face, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
- BSB And Jacob saw from the countenance of Laban that his attitude toward him had changed.
- 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 3:19Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
- Gen 4:5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
- 1 Sam 18:9–11And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
- Gen 30:27And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.
- 1 Sam 19:7And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.
- Deut 28:54So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave:
- Deut 19:4And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;
- Exod 4:10And Moses said unto the LORD, O my LORD, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow 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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