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Genesis 31:19
ESV Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father 's household gods.
NIV When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household gods.
NASB Laban had gone to shear his flock, and Rachel stole the household idols that were her father’s.
CSB When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household idols.
NLT At the time they left, Laban was some distance away, shearing his sheep. Rachel stole her father’s household idols and took them with her.
KJV And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's.
NKJV Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel had stolen the household idols that were her father’s.

What does Genesis 31:19 mean?

The previous verses describe Jacob loading his family on camels and driving all of his possessions away from Laban's estate. The family is heading in the direction of Jacob's father Isaac in the land of Canaan (Genesis 31:3). This verse steps back to let us know that, before they pulled out, Rachel went to her father's house while he was out, and stole his "household gods." These household gods were, apparently, a collection of small, commonly used idols; these are referred to in the original Hebrew using the word teraphiym. Similar objects are referred to in Judges 17:5 and 2 Kings 23:24.

This raises a question: why would Rachel steal them? Several possibilities are suggested by scholars. Perhaps Rachel's reasons were spiritual; she might have thought these gods provided protection or fertility and didn't want to lose that by leaving them behind. We know that Rachel worshiped the God of Jacob, at least at times, but it's likely that she and others in her family also worshiped other gods, as well, hoping to be blessed by all of them.

It's also possible that Rachel was emotionally attached to these household idols, as familiar items from her childhood. She perhaps thought that having them would comfort her in leaving behind her homeland. A few scholars even suggest that possessing these idols would allow a family member to claim an inheritance when the time came.

Most simply, and probably most likely, Rachel took these items simply as one last act of rebellion and revenge against her father.

Whatever her reason, stealing them will soon endanger her life.
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Context Summary
Genesis 31:1–21 describes the events that propel Jacob to sneak away from Laban and head toward his homeland of Canaan. First, he learns that Laban and his sons are dangerously unhappy with him for taking so many of Laban's profits. Then God commands Jacob to go, promising to be with him. After securing the support of his wives, Jacob packs up his large family and property and sneaks away toward Gilead and then home.
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Chapter Summary
Genesis 31 describes Jacob's difficult separation from Laban, his father-in-law, as well as his boss for twenty years. During that time, Jacob was routinely mistreated and cheated by his master. Commanded by God to return to the land of Canaan, Jacob packs up his wives, children, and all of his possessions and leaves without telling Laban. Laban soon catches up with the large company. Laban and Jacob confront each other bitterly. Eventually, though, they make a covenant of separation and peace.
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