Genesis 31:55 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Early in the morning Laban arose and kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned home.

NIV: Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left and returned home.

NASB: Then early in the morning Laban got up, and kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place.

CSB: Laban got up early in the morning, kissed his grandchildren and daughters, and blessed them. Then Laban left to return home.

NLT: Laban got up early the next morning, and he kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left and returned home.

KJV: And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.

NKJV: And early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place.

Genesis 31 ends with a poignant scene. The long feared and awaited confrontation between Laban and Jacob has taken place. Both have made their case. They have made a covenant that will officially separate Jacob and his family from Laban on either side of the marker stones they have built together.

Now Laban bids farewell to his daughters and grandchildren. He has proved himself a hard and often dishonest man, but he has also expressed his affection for his family. He kisses them and blesses them, and then he rides off with his sons in the opposite direction.

The conflict between Laban and Jacob has been resolved, though with great fear, pain, and heartache. Jacob is now free to begin his life again in the Promised Land of Canaan.

Genesis 31:43–55 describes the final agreement reached between Jacob and Laban. Laban declares that he will not claim his right to Jacob's wives and children and property. Instead, he and Jacob agree to make a covenant of separation and peace. They build a heap of stones, swear oaths, conduct a sacrifice, and eat a meal together. Finally, Laban kisses his daughters and grandchildren goodbye and rides back to his home. Jacob and his family turn to face the Promised Land.

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.

Genesis 30 described the dramatic expansion of Jacob's family and property. Now, after twenty years of working for Laban, the time comes for Jacob to return to his own people. He attempts to sneak away without telling Laban, but Laban soon catches up with him. After bitter confrontations, father and son-in-law make a covenant of separation and peace. Jacob is finally free to begin the next chapter of his life in the Promised Land. First, though, he will need to deal with his brother Esau, whose rage was the main reason Jacob fled in the first place. That encounter is described over the following two chapters.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 5/6/2024 12:02:31 PM