Genesis 31:5
New International Version
He said to them, “I see that your father’s attitude toward me is not what it was before, but the God of my father has been with me.

New Living Translation
He said to them, “I have noticed that your father’s attitude toward me has changed. But the God of my father has been with me.

English Standard Version
and said to them, “I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me.

Berean Standard Bible
and he told them, “I can see from your father’s countenance that his attitude toward me has changed; but the God of my father has been with me.

King James Bible
And said unto them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.

New King James Version
and said to them, “I see your father’s countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me.

New American Standard Bible
and said to them, “I see your father’s attitude, that it is not friendly toward me as it was before, but the God of my father has been with me.

NASB 1995
and said to them, “I see your father’s attitude, that it is not friendly toward me as formerly, but the God of my father has been with me.

NASB 1977
and said to them, “I see your father’s attitude, that it is not friendly toward me as formerly, but the God of my father has been with me.

Legacy Standard Bible
and he said to them, “I see your father’s face, that it is not friendly toward me as formerly, but the God of my father has been with me.

Amplified Bible
and he said to them, “I see [a change in] your father’s attitude, that he is not friendly toward me as [he was] before; but the God of my father [Isaac] has been with me.

Christian Standard Bible
He said to them, “I can see from your father’s face that his attitude toward me is not the same as before, but the God of my father has been with me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He said to them, “I can see from your father’s face that his attitude toward me is not the same, but the God of my father has been with me.

American Standard Version
and said unto them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as beforetime; but the God of my father hath been with me.

Contemporary English Version
and he told them: Your father isn't as friendly with me as he used to be, but the God my ancestors worshiped has been on my side.

English Revised Version
and said unto them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as beforetime; but the God of my father hath been with me.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He said to them, "I have seen that your father isn't as friendly to me as he was before, but the God of my father has been with me.

Good News Translation
He said to them, "I have noticed that your father is not as friendly toward me as he used to be; but my father's God has been with me.

International Standard Version
and informed them, "I've noticed that the way your father has been looking at us hasn't been as nice as it was just two days ago. But my father's God has been with me.

Majority Standard Bible
and he told them, ?I can see from your father?s countenance that his attitude toward me has changed; but the God of my father has been with me.

NET Bible
There he said to them, "I can tell that your father's attitude toward me has changed, but the God of my father has been with me.

New Heart English Bible
and said to them, "I see the expression on your father?s face, that it is not what it was before. But the God of my father has been with me.

Webster's Bible Translation
And said to them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not towards me as before: but the God of my father hath been with me.

World English Bible
and said to them, “I see the expression on your father’s face, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and says to them, “I am beholding your father’s face—that it is not toward me as before, and the God of my father has been with me,

Young's Literal Translation
and saith to them, 'I am beholding your father's face -- that it is not towards me as heretofore, and the God of my father hath been with me,

Smith's Literal Translation
And will say to them, I saw the face of your father that it is not towards me as yesterday the third day: and the God of my father was with me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And said to them: I see your father's countenance is not towards me as yesterday and the other day: but the God of my father hath been with me.

Catholic Public Domain Version
and he said to them: “I see that your father’s face is not the same toward me as it was yesterday and the day before. But the God of my father has been with me.

New American Bible
There he said to them: “I have noticed that your father’s attitude toward me is not as it was in the past; but the God of my father has been with me.

New Revised Standard Version
and said to them, “I see that your father does not regard me as favorably as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And said to them, I see that your father's countenance toward me is not as it has been yesterday and the day before; but the God of my father has been with me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said to them, “I saw the face of your father, that it is not with me like yesterday and like the day before, and the God of my father has been with me.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and said unto them: 'I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as beforetime; but the God of my father hath been with me.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said to them, I see the face of your father, that it is not toward me as before, but the God of my father was with me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob Flees from Laban
4So Jacob sent word and called Rachel and Leah to the field where his flocks were, 5and he told them, “I can see from your father’s countenance that his attitude toward me has changed; but the God of my father has been with me. 6You know that I have served your father with all my strength.…

Cross References
Genesis 31:42
If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, surely by now you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, and last night He rendered judgment.”

Genesis 31:7
And although he has cheated me and changed my wages ten times, God has not allowed him to harm me.

Genesis 30:27
But Laban replied, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you.”

Genesis 28:13-15
And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. / Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Genesis 21:22
At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do.

Genesis 26:24
and that night the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for the sake of My servant Abraham.”

Genesis 39:2-3
And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master. / When his master saw that the LORD was with him and made him prosper in all he did,

Genesis 39:21
the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

Exodus 3:12
“I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”

Exodus 33:14
And the LORD answered, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Joshua 1:5
No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

1 Samuel 18:14
and he continued to prosper in all his ways, because the LORD was with him.

1 Samuel 18:28
When Saul realized that the LORD was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David,

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.


Treasury of Scripture

And said to them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me.

I see.

Genesis 31:2,3
And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before…

the God.

Genesis 31:3,13,42,53
And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee…

Genesis 32:9
And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:

Genesis 48:15
And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,

Jump to Previous
Attitude Beforetime Clear Countenance Expression Face Father's Favor Feeling Formerly Friendly Heretofore Longer Previously Regard Towards
Jump to Next
Attitude Beforetime Clear Countenance Expression Face Father's Favor Feeling Formerly Friendly Heretofore Longer Previously Regard Towards
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.














and he told them
Jacob is speaking to his wives, Leah and Rachel, as he prepares to leave Laban's household. This moment is significant as it marks a turning point in Jacob's life, where he begins to assert his independence from Laban. The act of speaking to his wives indicates a family decision, emphasizing the importance of unity and shared purpose in the family structure.

I can see from your father’s countenance
Jacob observes Laban's facial expressions and demeanor, which reflect his inner feelings. In ancient Near Eastern culture, non-verbal communication was as significant as verbal communication. The countenance often revealed one's true intentions or feelings, which could not be hidden. This insight into Laban's attitude is crucial for Jacob's decision-making process.

that his attitude toward me has changed
Laban's change in attitude is a result of Jacob's prosperity, which has come at Laban's expense. Historically, this reflects the tension between employer and employee, or family members, when wealth and success are involved. The change in attitude also highlights the theme of envy and the resulting relational strife, which is a recurring theme in the Bible, as seen in the story of Cain and Abel.

but the God of my father has been with me
Jacob acknowledges the divine presence and protection that has been with him throughout his time with Laban. This reference to "the God of my father" connects Jacob to the covenantal promises given to Abraham and Isaac, emphasizing the continuity of God's faithfulness across generations. It also foreshadows the later reaffirmation of God's covenant with Jacob, reinforcing the idea that God is actively involved in the lives of His chosen people. This divine presence is a type of Christ, who promises to be with His followers always.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jacob
The central figure in this passage, Jacob is the grandson of Abraham and the son of Isaac. He is speaking to his wives, Leah and Rachel, about the change in their father Laban's attitude towards him.

2. Laban
Jacob's father-in-law, who has become hostile towards Jacob. Laban's changing attitude is a pivotal point in Jacob's decision to leave.

3. Leah and Rachel
Jacob's wives, who are the daughters of Laban. They are part of the family dynamics and are directly affected by the tensions between Jacob and Laban.

4. God of Jacob's father
Refers to the God of Isaac, Jacob's father, emphasizing the continuity of God's covenant and presence with the patriarchs.

5. Paddan-aram
The region where Jacob has been living and working for Laban, and from which he is planning to depart.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness
Despite human hostility and changing circumstances, God's presence remains constant. Believers can trust in God's faithfulness as Jacob did.

Discernment in Relationships
Jacob's awareness of Laban's changing attitude teaches the importance of discernment in relationships and recognizing when God is leading us to make changes.

Covenant Continuity
The reference to the "God of my father" underscores the importance of understanding and valuing the spiritual heritage and promises passed down through generations.

Courage to Act
Jacob's decision to leave Laban's household demonstrates the courage to act on God's guidance, even when it involves difficult choices.Verse 5. - And said unto them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as before (vide supra); but the God of my father - literally, and the Elohim of my father, the term Elohim employed by Jacob not being due to "the vagueness of the religious knowledge" possessed by his wives (Hengstenberg), but to a desire on his own part either to distinguish the God of his father from the gods of the nations, or the idols which Laban worshipped ('Speaker s Commentary'), or perhaps, while using an expression exactly equivalent to Jehovah, to bring out a contrast between the Divine favor and that of Laban (Quarry) - hath been with me - literally, was with me; not the night before simply, but during the past six years, as he explains in ver. 7.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and he told
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

them,
לָהֶ֗ן (lā·hen)
Preposition | third person feminine plural
Strong's Hebrew

“I
אָנֹכִי֙ (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

can see
רֹאֶ֤ה (rō·’eh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7200: To see

from your father’s
אֲבִיכֶ֔ן (’ă·ḇî·ḵen)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person feminine plural
Strong's 1: Father

face
פְּנֵ֣י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

his attitude toward me
אֵלַ֖י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

has changed;
אֵינֶ֥נּוּ (’ê·nen·nū)
Adverb | third person masculine singular
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

but the God
וֵֽאלֹהֵ֣י (wê·lō·hê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of my father
אָבִ֔י (’ā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

has been
הָיָ֖ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

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


Links
Genesis 31:5 NIV
Genesis 31:5 NLT
Genesis 31:5 ESV
Genesis 31:5 NASB
Genesis 31:5 KJV

Genesis 31:5 BibleApps.com
Genesis 31:5 Biblia Paralela
Genesis 31:5 Chinese Bible
Genesis 31:5 French Bible
Genesis 31:5 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Genesis 31:5 And said to them I see (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 31:4
Top of Page
Top of Page