The Meaning of Genesis 31:20 Explained

Genesis 31:20

KJV: And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.

YLT: and Jacob deceiveth the heart of Laban the Aramaean, because he hath not declared to him that he is fleeing;

Darby: And Jacob deceived Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he fled.

ASV: And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And Jacob  stole away  unawares  to Laban  the Syrian,  in that  he told  him not  that he fled. 

What does Genesis 31:20 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 31:1-21 - Jacob Leaves Laban
Jacob was a remarkable mixture. He had an eminently religious nature, and had intimate dealings with God. Note Genesis 31:3; Genesis 31:5; Genesis 31:7; Genesis 31:18. But he grossly misrepresented God's dealings with him when he gave his wives the reasons on which he proposed flight. Note Genesis 31:9; Genesis 31:13. So the flesh and spirit struggle for mastery within us all, and only as the grace of God enters our hearts can we come into the absolute supremacy of the spiritual and divine, Galatians 5:17. The secret departure was very undignified and unworthy of the heir of the promises. The command to return was of God, and what He commands He becomes responsible for. Besides, had not the Almighty promised to keep him in all places? See Genesis 28:15. When we are on God's plan, we may reckon on Him absolutely. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 31

1  Jacob, displeased with the envy of Laban and his sons, departs secretly
19  Rachel steals her father's household gods
22  Laban pursues after him, and complains of the wrong
34  Rachel's plan to hide the images
36  Jacob's complaint of Laban
43  The covenant of Laban and Jacob at Galeed

What do the individual words in Genesis 31:20 mean?

And stole away unknown Jacob - unawares to Laban the Syrian in that not he did tell him that intended to flee he
וַיִּגְנֹ֣ב יַעֲקֹ֔ב אֶת־ לֵ֥ב לָבָ֖ן הָאֲרַמִּ֑י עַל־ בְּלִי֙ הִגִּ֣יד ל֔וֹ כִּ֥י בֹרֵ֖חַ הֽוּא

וַיִּגְנֹ֣ב  And  stole  away  unknown 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: גָּנַב  
Sense: to steal, steal away, carry away.
יַעֲקֹ֔ב  Jacob 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יַעֲקֹב  
Sense: son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 2 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
לֵ֥ב  unawares 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: לֵב 
Sense: inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding.
לָבָ֖ן  to  Laban 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: לָבָן 
Sense: son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah, and father of Leah and Rachel.
הָאֲרַמִּ֑י  the  Syrian 
Parse: Article, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲרַמִּי 
Sense: a thing or a person from Syria or Aram.
עַל־  in  that 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
הִגִּ֣יד  he  did  tell 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָגַד  
Sense: to be conspicuous, tell, make known.
כִּ֥י  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
בֹרֵ֖חַ  intended  to  flee 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: בָּרַח 
Sense: to go through, flee, run away, chase, drive away, put to flight, reach, shoot (extend), hurry away.

What are the major concepts related to Genesis 31:20?

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