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Genesis 31:20

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20 Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him he was running away.
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Genesis 31:20 in Other Translations

KJV
20 And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.
ESV
20 And Jacob tricked Laban the Aramean, by not telling him that he intended to flee.
NLT
20 Jacob outwitted Laban the Aramean, for they set out secretly and never told Laban they were leaving.
MSG
20 And Jacob had concealed his plans so well that Laban the Aramean had no idea what was going on - he was totally in the dark.
CSB
20 And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean, not telling him that he was fleeing.

Genesis 31:20 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:20

And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian
Went away without his knowledge, or giving him any notice of it; he was too cunning for Laban the Syrian; notwithstanding his astrology and superstitious arts, which the Syrians are addicted to, he had no foresight of this matter: or he "stole away the heart of Laban" F2, that which his heart was set upon; not his gods, these Rachel stole away; nor his daughters, for whom he does not appear to have had any great affection and respect; but rather the cattle and goods Jacob took with him, which Laban's eye and heart were upon, and hoped to get into his possession by one means, or at one time or another; but the former sense, that he "stole from" his heart F4, or stole away without his knowledge, seems best to agree with what follows; in that he told him not that he fled;
or that he designed to go away, and was about to do it.

FOOTNOTES:

F2 (bl ta-bngy) "furatus est cor", Tigurine version, Pagninus, Montanus, Munster, Vatablus, Drasius, Cartwright.
F4 "Furatus a corde Labanis", Piscator.
Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Genesis 31:20 In-Context

18 and he drove all his livestock ahead of him, along with all the goods he had accumulated in Paddan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.
19 When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household gods.
20 Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him he was running away.
21 So he fled with all he had, crossed the Euphrates River, and headed for the hill country of Gilead.
22 On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled.

Cross References 3

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