Now Rachel had taken Laban's household idols, put them in the saddlebag of her camel, and was sitting on them. And Laban searched everything in the tent but found nothing. Now Rachel had taken the idolsThe Hebrew word for "idols" here is "teraphim," which often refers to household gods or small figurines used for divination or as protective talismans. In the ancient Near Eastern context, these objects were common in households, symbolizing a connection to the divine or ancestral spirits. Rachel's act of taking these idols suggests a complex relationship with her father's household beliefs, possibly indicating a lingering attachment to her familial traditions or a desire for inheritance rights, as teraphim were sometimes associated with legal claims to property. and put them in the saddlebag of her camel
The "saddlebag" or "camel's furniture" in Hebrew is "kēsep," which refers to the equipment or baggage placed on a camel. Camels were essential for long journeys across the desert, and their saddlebags were used to store valuable items securely. Rachel's choice to hide the idols in the saddlebag signifies her intent to conceal them effectively, knowing that camels were a vital part of their nomadic lifestyle and that their baggage would be less likely to be thoroughly searched. and was sitting on them
Rachel's act of sitting on the idols is both literal and symbolic. In the cultural context, sitting on something could imply ownership or control. By physically placing herself over the idols, Rachel asserts her dominance over these objects, perhaps indicating her rejection of their power or her determination to keep them hidden. This action also cleverly prevents Laban from discovering them, as it would be inappropriate for him to ask her to rise, respecting cultural norms regarding modesty and privacy. Laban searched everything in the tent but found nothing
Laban's thorough search reflects his determination to recover what he considered valuable, either for their spiritual significance or their material worth. The phrase "but found nothing" highlights the futility of his efforts against Rachel's cunning. This outcome underscores a recurring biblical theme: human plans and searches are ultimately subject to divine oversight. Despite Laban's intentions, God's providence protects Jacob's family, aligning with the broader narrative of God's faithfulness to His covenant people. Persons / Places / Events 1. RachelThe wife of Jacob and daughter of Laban, who took her father's household idols. 2. LabanRachel's father, who was searching for his household idols. 3. JacobRachel's husband, who was unaware of her actions. 4. Household Idols (Teraphim)Small idols or figurines that were often used for divination or as household gods in ancient Near Eastern cultures. 5. Camel's SaddlebagThe place where Rachel hid the idols, symbolizing concealment and deception. Teaching Points The Danger of IdolatryIdolatry can subtly infiltrate our lives, often hidden in the "saddlebags" of our hearts. We must be vigilant in identifying and removing anything that takes the place of God in our lives. Deception and Its ConsequencesRachel's deception serves as a warning about the consequences of dishonesty. Deception can lead to broken trust and spiritual compromise. The Importance of Spiritual LeadershipJacob's eventual call to purify his household (Genesis 35) underscores the role of spiritual leaders in guiding their families away from idolatry and towards God. God's OmniscienceWhile Laban could not find the idols, God sees all. This reminds us that nothing is hidden from God, and we are accountable to Him for our actions. Cultural InfluencesRachel's attachment to the household idols reflects the cultural influences that can impact our faith. We must discern and resist cultural practices that conflict with our commitment to God. Bible Study Questions 1. What might have motivated Rachel to take her father's household idols, and how can we guard against similar temptations in our lives? 2. How does the concealment of the idols in the saddlebag relate to hidden sins in our own lives, and what steps can we take to address them? 3. In what ways can we ensure that our homes are free from modern-day "idols" that may distract us from our devotion to God? 4. How does the account of Rachel and the household idols challenge us to examine the cultural influences in our lives that may be contrary to our faith? 5. Reflecting on Jacob's later actions in Genesis 35, how can we as individuals or families commit to spiritual renewal and the removal of anything that hinders our relationship with God? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 35:2-4Jacob instructs his household to get rid of foreign gods, showing a move towards purity and devotion to the one true God. Exodus 20:3-4The commandment against idolatry, emphasizing the importance of worshiping God alone. Joshua 24:14-15Joshua's call to the Israelites to serve the Lord and put away foreign gods, highlighting the choice between serving God or idols. 1 Samuel 15:23The connection between rebellion and idolatry, illustrating the seriousness of disobedience to God. | Jacob At Haran | W. Roberts. | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Laban | M. Dods, D. D. | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Laban's Expostulation with Jacob, and Jacob's Defence | T. H. Leale. | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Lessons | G. Hughes, B. D., J. C. Gray. | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Lessons | G Hughes, B. D. | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Lessons | G. Hughes, B. D. . | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Lessons | G. Hughes, B. D. . | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Lessons | G. Hughes, B. D. . | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Lessons | G. Hughes, B. D. . | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Lessons | G. Hughes, B. D. . | Genesis 31:22-42 | | Lessons | G. Hughes, B. D. | Genesis 31:22-42 | | The Years of Servitude | E. Craig. | Genesis 31:22-42 |
People Aram, Isaac, Jacob, Laban, Leah, Nahor, RachelPlaces Canaan, Euphrates River, Galeed, Gilead, Jegar-sahadutha, Mizpah, Paddan-aramTopics Across, Basket, Camel, Camels, Camel's, Didn't, Explored, Feeleth, Felt, Furniture, Gods, Household, Idols, Images, Inside, Laban, Nothing, Putteth, Rachel, Saddle, Sat, Searched, Searching, Seated, Sitteth, Sitting, Tent, TeraphimDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 31:34 7384 household gods
8769 idolatry, in OT Library Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old TestamentAppendix xvi. On the Jewish views About Demons' and the Demonised,' Together with Some Notes on the Intercourse Between Jews and Jewish Christians in the First Centuries.
IT is not, of course, our purpose here to attempt an exhaustive account of the Jewish views on demons' and the demonised.' A few preliminary strictures were, however, necessary on a work upon which writers on this subject have too implictly relied. I refer to Gfrörer's Jahrhundert des Heils (especially vol. i. pp. 378-424). Gfrörer sets out by quoting a passage in the Book of Enoch on which he lays great stress, but which critical inquiries of Dillmann and other scholars have shown to be …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah How the Rude in Sacred Learning, and those who are Learned but not Humble, are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 25.) Differently to be admonished are those who do not understand aright the words of the sacred Law, and those who understand them indeed aright, but speak them not humbly. For those who understand not aright the words of sacred Law are to be admonished to consider that they turn for themselves a most wholesome drought of wine into a cup of poison, and with a medicinal knife inflict on themselves a mortal wound, when they destroy in themselves what was sound by that whereby they ought, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Epistle Xlix. To Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch .
To Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch [35] . Gregory to Anastasius, &c. I received the letters of thy Fraternity, rightly holding fast the profession of the faith; and I returned great thanks to Almighty God, who, when the shepherds of His flock are changed, still, even after such change, guards the faith which He once delivered to the holy Fathers. Now the excellent preacher says, Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ Jesus (1 Cor. iii. 2). Whosoever, then, with love of …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great The Great Shepherd
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. I t is not easy for those, whose habits of life are insensibly formed by the customs of modern times, to conceive any adequate idea of the pastoral life, as obtained in the eastern countries, before that simplicity of manners, which characterized the early ages, was corrupted, by the artificial and false refinements of luxury. Wealth, in those …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 And He had Also this Favour Granted Him. ...
66. And he had also this favour granted him. For as he was sitting alone on the mountain, if ever he was in perplexity in his meditations, this was revealed to him by Providence in prayer. And the happy man, as it is written, was taught of God [1112] . After this, when he once had a discussion with certain men who had come to him concerning the state of the soul and of what nature its place will be after this life, the following night one from above called him, saying, Antony, rise, go out and look.' …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius A Treatise of the Fear of God;
SHOWING WHAT IT IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT WHICH IS NOT SO. ALSO, WHENCE IT COMES; WHO HAS IT; WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS; AND WHAT THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE THAT HAVE IT IN THEIR HEARTS. London: Printed for N. Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, over against the Stocks market: 1679. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "a fountain of life"--the foundation on which all wisdom rests, as well as the source from whence it emanates. Upon a principle …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Meditations for the Morning.
1. Almighty God can, in the resurrection, as easily raise up thy body out of the grave, from the sleep of death, as he hath this morning wakened thee in thy bed, out of the sleep of nature. At the dawning of which resurrection day, Christ shall come to be glorified in his saints; and every one of the bodies of the thousands of his saints, being fashioned like unto his glorious body, shall shine as bright as the sun (2 Thess. i. 10; Jude, ver. 14; Phil. iii. 21; Luke ix. 31;) all the angels shining …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 31:34 NIVGenesis 31:34 NLTGenesis 31:34 ESVGenesis 31:34 NASBGenesis 31:34 KJV
Genesis 31:34 Commentaries
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