Genesis 31:32
New International Version
But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.

New Living Translation
But as for your gods, see if you can find them, and let the person who has taken them die! And if you find anything else that belongs to you, identify it before all these relatives of ours, and I will give it back!” But Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the household idols.

English Standard Version
Anyone with whom you find your gods shall not live. In the presence of our kinsmen point out what I have that is yours, and take it.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.

Berean Standard Bible
If you find your gods with anyone here, he shall not live! In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself if anything is yours, and take it back.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols.

King James Bible
With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

New King James Version
With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live. In the presence of our brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.

New American Standard Bible
The one with whom you find your gods shall not live; in the presence of our relatives point out what is yours among my belongings and take it for yourself.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.

NASB 1995
“The one with whom you find your gods shall not live; in the presence of our kinsmen point out what is yours among my belongings and take it for yourself.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.

NASB 1977
“The one with whom you find your gods shall not live; in the presence of our kinsmen point out what is yours among my belongings and take it for yourself.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.

Legacy Standard Bible
The one with whom you find your gods shall not live; in the presence of our relatives recognize what is yours among my belongings and take it for yourself.” But Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.

Amplified Bible
The one with whom you find your gods shall not live; in the presence of our relatives [search my possessions and] point out whatever you find that belongs to you and take it.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols.

Christian Standard Bible
If you find your gods with anyone here, he will not live! Before our relatives, point out anything that is yours and take it.” Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If you find your gods with anyone here, he will not live! Before our relatives, point out anything that is yours and take it.” Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols.

American Standard Version
With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, he shall not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

Contemporary English Version
If you find that any one of us has taken your idols, I'll have that person killed. Let your relatives be witnesses. Show me what belongs to you, and you can take it back." Jacob did not realize that Rachel had stolen the household idols.

English Revised Version
With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, he shall not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If you find your gods, the one who has them will not be allowed to live. In the presence of our relatives, search as much as you want through what I have, and take what is yours." (Jacob didn't know that Rachel had stolen the gods.)

Good News Translation
But if you find that anyone here has your gods, he will be put to death. Here, with our men as witnesses, look for anything that belongs to you and take what is yours." Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen Laban's gods.

International Standard Version
Now as to your gods, if you find someone has them in their possession, he's a dead man. Take our relatives as witnesses, search through our belongings, and take whatever belongs to you that's in my possession." But Jacob didn't know that Rachel had stolen the idols.

Majority Standard Bible
If you find your gods with anyone here, he shall not live! In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself if anything is yours, and take it back.? For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols.

NET Bible
Whoever has taken your gods will be put to death! In the presence of our relatives identify whatever is yours and take it." (Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.)

New Heart English Bible
Anyone you find your gods with shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, identify what I have that is yours, and take it with you. "For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.

Webster's Bible Translation
With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee: for Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

World English Bible
Anyone you find your gods with shall not live. Before our relatives, discern what is yours with me, and take it.” For Jacob didn’t know that Rachel had stolen them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
with whomsoever you find your gods—he must not live; before our brothers discern for yourself what [is] with me, and take to yourself”: and Jacob has not known that Rachel has stolen them.

Young's Literal Translation
with whomsoever thou findest thy gods -- he doth not live; before our brethren discern for thyself what is with me, and take to thyself:' and Jacob hath not known that Rachel hath stolen them.

Smith's Literal Translation
With whom thou shalt find thy gods, he shall not live: before our brethren, behold for thyself what is with me and take to thee: and Jacob knew not that Rachel stole them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But whereas thou chargest me with theft: with whomsoever thou shalt find thy gods, let him be slain before our brethren. Search, and if thou find any of thy things with me, take them away. Now when he said this, he knew not that Rachel had stolen the idols.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But, since you accuse me of theft, with whomever you will find your gods, let him be slain in the sight of our brothers. Search; anything of yours that you will find with me, take it away.” Now when he said this, he did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols.

New American Bible
As for your gods, the one you find them with shall not remain alive! If, with our kinsmen looking on, you identify anything here as belonging to you, take it.” Jacob had no idea that Rachel had stolen the household images.

New Revised Standard Version
But anyone with whom you find your gods shall not live. In the presence of our kinsfolk, point out what I have that is yours, and take it.” Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
With whomsoever you find your gods, he shall not live; moreover, in the presence of our brethren point out whatever I have that belongs to you, and take it for yourself. For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The one with whom your gods are found shall not live. Make known what I have that is yours before our brethren and take it for yourself”; and Yaquuv did not know that Rakhyl had stolen them.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, he shall not live; before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee.'--For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Jacob said, With whomsoever thou shalt find thy gods, he shall not live in the presence of our brethren; take notice of what I have of thy property, and take it; and he observed nothing with him, but Jacob knew not that his wife Rachel had stolen them.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laban Pursues Jacob
31“I was afraid,” Jacob answered, “for I thought you would take your daughters from me by force. 32If you find your gods with anyone here, he shall not live! In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself if anything is yours, and take it back.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols. 33So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, then Leah’s tent, and then the tents of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. Then he left Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent.…

Cross References
Joshua 7:10-26
But the LORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why have you fallen on your face? / Israel has sinned; they have transgressed My covenant that I commanded them, and they have taken some of what was devoted to destruction. Indeed, they have stolen and lied, and they have put these things with their own possessions. / This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they themselves have been set apart for destruction. I will no longer be with you unless you remove from among you whatever is devoted to destruction. ...

1 Samuel 14:38-45
Therefore Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us investigate how this sin has occurred today. / As surely as the LORD who saves Israel lives, even if it is my son Jonathan, he must die!” But not one of the troops said a word. / Then Saul said to all Israel, “You stand on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will stand on the other side.” “Do what seems good to you,” the troops replied. ...

Exodus 22:1-4
“If a man steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters or sells it, he must repay five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. / If a thief is caught breaking in and is beaten to death, no one shall be guilty of bloodshed. / But if it happens after sunrise, there is guilt for his bloodshed. A thief must make full restitution; if he has nothing, he himself shall be sold for his theft. ...

Leviticus 6:1-5
And the LORD said to Moses, / “If someone sins and acts unfaithfully against the LORD by deceiving his neighbor in regard to a deposit or security entrusted to him or stolen, or if he extorts his neighbor / or finds lost property and lies about it and swears falsely, or if he commits any such sin that a man might commit— ...

Deuteronomy 24:7
If a man is caught kidnapping one of his Israelite brothers, whether he treats him as a slave or sells him, the kidnapper must die. So you must purge the evil from among you.

2 Kings 5:20-27
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “Look, my master has spared this Aramean, Naaman, by not accepting what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” / So Gehazi pursued Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running toward him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and asked, “Is everything all right?” / “Everything is all right,” Gehazi replied. “My master has sent me to say, ‘Look, two young men from the sons of the prophets have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.’” ...

Proverbs 6:30-31
Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger. / Yet if caught, he must pay sevenfold; he must give up all the wealth of his house.

Zechariah 5:3-4
Then he told me, “This is the curse that is going out over the face of all the land, for according to one side of the scroll, every thief will be removed; and according to the other side, every perjurer will be removed. / I will send it out, declares the LORD of Hosts, and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of him who swears falsely by My name. It will remain inside his house and destroy it, down to its timbers and stones.”

Matthew 5:37
Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.

Matthew 26:21-25
And while they were eating, He said to them, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray Me.” / They were deeply grieved and began to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I, Lord?” / Jesus answered, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with Me will betray Me. ...

Mark 14:18-21
And while they were reclining and eating, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, one of you who is eating with Me will betray Me.” / They began to be grieved and to ask Him one after another, “Surely not I?” / He answered, “It is one of the Twelve—the one who is dipping his hand into the bowl with Me. ...

Luke 19:8
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”

John 13:21-30
After Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit and testified, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will betray Me.” / The disciples looked at one another, perplexed as to which of them He meant. / One of His disciples, the one whom Jesus loved, was reclining at His side. ...

Acts 5:1-11
Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. / With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet. / Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? ...

Romans 2:21-22
you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? / You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?


Treasury of Scripture

With whomsoever you find your gods, let him not live: before our brothers discern you what is your with me, and take it to you. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

whomsoever.

Genesis 31:19,30
And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's…

Genesis 44:9-12
With whomsoever of thy servants it be found, both let him die, and we also will be my lord's bondmen…

before.

Genesis 31:23
And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.

Genesis 13:8
And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.

Genesis 19:7
And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.

For Jacob.

1 Samuel 14:24-29
And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food…

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Belongings Death Discern Find Findest Gods Jacob Kinsmen Live Point Presence Rachel Relatives Search Stolen Whether Whomsoever
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Belongings Death Discern Find Findest Gods Jacob Kinsmen Live Point Presence Rachel Relatives Search Stolen Whether Whomsoever
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.














If you find your gods
The phrase "your gods" refers to the household idols, or "teraphim," that were common in ancient Near Eastern cultures. These small figurines were often used for divination or as protective talismans. The Hebrew word for "gods" here is "elohim," which can mean gods, divine beings, or even judges, depending on the context. In this passage, it underscores the polytheistic practices of Laban's household, contrasting with Jacob's monotheistic faith in Yahweh. This highlights the tension between the old ways of Laban's family and the new covenantal relationship Jacob has with God.

with anyone here
This phrase indicates the thoroughness of Jacob's declaration. He is confident in the integrity of his household, unaware of Rachel's actions. The Hebrew word for "anyone" is "im," which can mean "with" or "among." This reflects Jacob's openness to scrutiny, emphasizing his commitment to righteousness and justice. It also foreshadows the unfolding drama, as the reader knows Rachel has taken the idols, creating a sense of impending revelation.

he shall not live
This is a severe pronouncement, reflecting the seriousness with which Jacob views the theft of the idols. The Hebrew word for "live" is "chayah," meaning to live or to have life. In the ancient context, stealing household gods was not only a theft of property but also an affront to the family's spiritual and cultural identity. Jacob's declaration is a vow of innocence and a commitment to uphold justice, even at great personal cost.

In the presence of our relatives
This phrase underscores the communal nature of justice in the ancient world. The Hebrew word for "presence" is "paniym," meaning face or presence, indicating a public examination. The involvement of relatives as witnesses ensures transparency and accountability. This reflects the patriarchal society's reliance on family and community to maintain order and resolve disputes.

identify for yourself what is yours and take it
Jacob invites Laban to search and reclaim his property, demonstrating his confidence in his household's integrity. The Hebrew word for "identify" is "nakar," meaning to recognize or acknowledge. This act of recognition is crucial in resolving the conflict, as it allows for a clear distinction between what belongs to Laban and what is rightfully Jacob's. It also highlights Jacob's desire for peace and resolution, despite the underlying tensions.

Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols
This phrase introduces dramatic irony, as the reader is aware of Rachel's actions, but Jacob is not. The Hebrew word for "know" is "yada," meaning to know or perceive. This lack of knowledge sets the stage for future conflict and reveals the complexity of family dynamics. Rachel's theft reflects her lingering attachment to her father's household and its practices, contrasting with Jacob's commitment to his covenant with God. This tension between old allegiances and new faith is a recurring theme in the narrative of Genesis.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If you find
תִּמְצָ֣א (tim·ṣā)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

your gods
אֱלֹהֶיךָ֮ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

with
עִ֠ם (‘im)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

anyone here,
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

he shall not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

live!
יִֽחְיֶה֒ (yiḥ·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

In the presence of
נֶ֣גֶד (ne·ḡeḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before

our relatives,
אַחֵ֧ינוּ (’a·ḥê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )

see
הַֽכֶּר־ (hak·ker-)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5234: To regard, recognize

for yourself
לְךָ֛ (lə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

if anything
מָ֥ה (māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

is yours,
עִמָּדִ֖י (‘im·mā·ḏî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5978: Against, by, from, me, mine, of, that I take, unto,

and take
וְקַֽח־ (wə·qaḥ-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

it back.”
לָ֑ךְ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

For Jacob
יַעֲקֹ֔ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

did not
וְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

know
יָדַ֣ע (yā·ḏa‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

that
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

Rachel
רָחֵ֖ל (rā·ḥêl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7354: Rachel -- a wife of Jacob

had stolen [the idols].
גְּנָבָֽתַם׃ (gə·nā·ḇā·ṯam)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1589: To thieve, to deceive


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OT Law: Genesis 31:32 Anyone you find your gods with shall (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 31:31
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