and he told them, “I can see from your father’s countenance that his attitude toward me has changed; but the God of my father has been with me.
Parallel translations
- WEB and said to them, “I see the expression on your father’s face, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me.
- KJV And said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.
- NKJV and said to them, “I see your father’s countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me.
- NASB and said to them, “I see your father’s attitude, that it is not friendly toward me as it was before, but the God of my father has been with me.
- NLT He said to them, “I have noticed that your father’s attitude toward me has changed. But the God of my father has been with me.
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 tells his wives that their father's attitude has changed, but God has been with him. He grounds his case in God's faithful presence.
Overview
Jacob contrasts Laban's cooling favor with the steady favor of 'the God of my father.' He interprets his life through the lens of God's covenant faithfulness rather than mere human relationships. This testimony invites his wives to trust the same God as they face an uncertain departure.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Gen 31:2–3And Jacob saw from the countenance of Laban that his attitude toward him had changed.
- Gen 48:15Then he blessed Joseph and said: “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,
- Gen 31:53May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.
- Gen 31:42If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, surely by now you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, and last night He rendered judgment.”
- Gen 32:9Then Jacob declared, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, the LORD who told me, ‘Go back to your country and to your kindred, and I will make you prosper,’
- Gen 50:17‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
- Gen 21:22At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do.
- Gen 31:13I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and made a solemn vow to Me. Now get up and leave this land at once, and return to your native land.’”
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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 31:5 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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