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Genesis 31:23
New International Version
Taking his relatives with him, he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.

New Living Translation
So he gathered a group of his relatives and set out in hot pursuit. He caught up with Jacob seven days later in the hill country of Gilead.

English Standard Version
he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him for seven days and followed close after him into the hill country of Gilead.

Berean Standard Bible
So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.

King James Bible
And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.

New King James Version
Then he took his brethren with him and pursued him for seven days’ journey, and he overtook him in the mountains of Gilead.

New American Standard Bible
he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him a distance of seven days’ journey, and he overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.

NASB 1995
then he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him a distance of seven days’ journey, and he overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.

NASB 1977
then he took his kinsmen with him, and pursued him a distance of seven days’ journey; and he overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.

Legacy Standard Bible
so he took his relatives with him and pursued him a distance of seven days’ journey, and he overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.

Amplified Bible
So he took his relatives with him and pursued him for seven days, and they overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.

Christian Standard Bible
So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him at Mount Gilead.

American Standard Version
And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and he overtook him in the mountain of Gilead.

Contemporary English Version
So he took some of his relatives along and chased after Jacob for seven days, before catching up with him in the hill country of Gilead.

English Revised Version
And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and he overtook him in the mountain of Gilead.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He and his relatives pursued Jacob for seven days. Laban caught up with him in the mountains of Gilead.

Good News Translation
He took his men with him and pursued Jacob for seven days until he caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.

International Standard Version
so he took his relatives with him and pursued Jacob. Laban was on the road for seven days when he finally caught up with Jacob in the hill country of Gilead.

Majority Standard Bible
So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.

NET Bible
So he took his relatives with him and pursued Jacob for seven days. He caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.

New Heart English Bible
He took his relatives with him, and pursued after him for seven days, and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey: and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.

World English Bible
He took his relatives with him, and pursued him seven days’ journey. He overtook him in the mountain of Gilead.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he takes his brothers with him, and pursues after him a journey of seven days, and overtakes him in the Mount of Gilead.

Young's Literal Translation
and he taketh his brethren with him, and pursueth after him a journey of seven days, and overtaketh him in the mount of Gilead.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will take his brethren with him, and pursue after him a way of seven days: and he will overtake him in Mount Gilead.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days; and overtook him in the mount of Galaad.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And taking his brothers with him, he pursued him for seven days. And he overtook him at Mount Gilead.

New American Bible
Taking his kinsmen with him, he pursued him for seven days until he caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.

New Revised Standard Version
So he took his kinsfolk with him and pursued him for seven days until he caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days journey; and they overtook him on mount Gilead.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he took his brothers with him and pursued after him a seven days’ journey and he overtook him in the Mount of Gilead.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and he overtook him in the mountain of Gilead.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And having taken his brethren with him, he pursued after him seven days' journey, and overtook him on Mount Galaad.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laban Pursues Jacob
22On the third day Laban was informed that Jacob had fled. 23So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead. 24But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”…

Cross References
Genesis 31:36-42
Then Jacob became incensed and challenged Laban. “What is my crime?” he said. “For what sin of mine have you so hotly pursued me? / You have searched all my goods! Have you found anything that belongs to you? Put it here before my brothers and yours, that they may judge between the two of us. / I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock. ...

Genesis 27:41-45
Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau said in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” / When the words of her older son Esau were relayed to Rebekah, she sent for her younger son Jacob and told him, “Look, your brother Esau is consoling himself by plotting to kill you. / So now, my son, obey my voice and flee at once to my brother Laban in Haran. ...

Genesis 32:6-8
When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you—he and four hundred men with him.” / In great fear and distress, Jacob divided his people into two camps, as well as the flocks and herds and camels. / He thought, “If Esau comes and attacks one camp, then the other camp can escape.”

Genesis 27:30-41
As soon as Isaac had finished blessing him and Jacob had left his father’s presence, his brother Esau returned from the hunt. / He too made some tasty food, brought it to his father, and said to him, “My father, sit up and eat of your son’s game, so that you may bless me.” / But his father Isaac replied, “Who are you?” “I am Esau, your firstborn son,” he answered. ...

Genesis 33:1-4
Now Jacob looked up and saw Esau coming toward him with four hundred men. So he divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two maidservants. / He put the maidservants and their children in front, Leah and her children next, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear. / But Jacob himself went on ahead and bowed to the ground seven times as he approached his brother. ...

Exodus 14:5-9
When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, “What have we done? We have released Israel from serving us.” / So Pharaoh prepared his chariot and took his army with him. / He took 600 of the best chariots, and all the other chariots of Egypt, with officers over all of them. ...

1 Samuel 30:8-10
and David inquired of the LORD: “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” the LORD replied, “for you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.” / So David and his six hundred men went to the Brook of Besor, where some stayed behind / because two hundred men were too exhausted to cross the brook. But David and four hundred men continued in pursuit.

1 Samuel 23:25-28
and Saul and his men went to seek him. When David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the Wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard of this, he pursued David there. / Saul was proceeding along one side of the mountain, and David and his men along the other side. Even though David was hurrying to get away, Saul and his men were closing in on David and his men to capture them. / Then a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!” ...

2 Kings 6:13-14
So the king said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send men to capture him.” On receiving the report, “Elisha is in Dothan,” / the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a great army. They went there by night and surrounded the city.

Psalm 18:37
I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back until they were consumed.

Psalm 35:4-6
May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plan to harm me be driven back and confounded. / May they be like chaff in the wind, as the angel of the LORD drives them away. / May their path be dark and slick, as the angel of the LORD pursues.

Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.

Isaiah 41:11-12
Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish. / You will seek them but will not find them. Those who wage war against you will come to nothing.

Jeremiah 50:41-42
Behold, an army is coming from the north; a great nation and many kings are stirred up from the ends of the earth. / They grasp the bow and spear; they are cruel and merciless. Their voice roars like the sea, and they ride upon horses, lined up like men in formation against you, O Daughter of Babylon.

Matthew 2:13-15
When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” / So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, / where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”


Treasury of Scripture

And he took his brothers 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 24:27
And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.

Exodus 2:11,13
And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren…

Jump to Previous
Caught Close Country Distance Family Followed Gilead Hill Hill-Country Jacob Journey Kinsmen Mount Mountain Overtaketh Overtook Pursued Pursueth Relatives Seven
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Caught Close Country Distance Family Followed Gilead Hill Hill-Country Jacob Journey Kinsmen Mount Mountain Overtaketh Overtook Pursued Pursueth Relatives Seven
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.














So he took his relatives with him
This phrase indicates Laban's immediate response to the news of Jacob's departure. The Hebrew word for "relatives" is "אַחִים" (achim), which can mean brothers or kinsmen. This suggests a familial pursuit, emphasizing the personal nature of the conflict. In the ancient Near Eastern context, family ties were paramount, and disputes often involved extended family. Laban's decision to involve his relatives underscores the seriousness of the situation and his intent to confront Jacob with a show of familial strength.

pursued Jacob for seven days
The act of pursuit is captured by the Hebrew verb "רָדַף" (radaph), which conveys a sense of relentless chasing. The number "seven" in biblical terms often symbolizes completeness or perfection. This pursuit lasting seven days could imply a thorough and determined effort by Laban to catch up with Jacob. Historically, travel in ancient times was arduous, and a seven-day pursuit would have been a significant endeavor, highlighting Laban's determination and the urgency of the situation.

and overtook him
The Hebrew word "וַיַּשִּׂגֵהוּ" (vayyassegehu) is used here, meaning to reach or catch up with someone. This indicates that Laban's pursuit was successful, and he was able to confront Jacob. The narrative tension builds here, as the reader anticipates the impending confrontation. In the broader scriptural context, this moment is pivotal, as it sets the stage for a significant dialogue between Laban and Jacob, reflecting themes of reconciliation and divine intervention.

at Mount Gilead
Mount Gilead, or "גִּלְעָד" (Gil'ad) in Hebrew, is a region east of the Jordan River, known for its rugged terrain and balm-producing trees. The mention of this specific location is significant, as it serves as a geographical marker for the unfolding events. Gilead's historical and biblical significance is rich, often associated with healing and covenant-making. In this context, it becomes the backdrop for a critical encounter between Laban and Jacob, where past grievances are addressed, and future relations are negotiated. The setting at Mount Gilead underscores the gravity and potential for resolution in this familial conflict.

(23) His brethren.--As Jacob, who had no relatives with him except his sons, applies this term in Genesis 31:46 to his followers, it is, probably, an honourable way of describing retainers, who were freemen and of a higher class than men-servants.

Seven days' journey.--The route chosen by Jacob was apparently the more easterly one, past Tadmor, and through the Hauran, leaving Damascus to the west. The hill, which subsequently was called Mount Gilead, lay to the south of the Jabbok; but asMahanaim, reached some days after the meeting with Laban, is to the north of that river, the word Gilead was evidently applied to the whole of the region of chalk cliffs on the east of the Jordan. This is made certain by the fact that Laban overtook Jacob in seven days. But as the distance from Haran to the most northerly part of this country (afterwards assigned to the half-tribe of Manasseh) was fully three hundred miles, it would require hard riding on the part of Laban and his brethren to enable them to overtake Jacob, even on the borders of this region. There is no difficulty about Jacob's movements. His flocks were pastured at so remote a distance from Haran that it would be easy for him to send them in detachments to the ford of the Euphrates, distant about sixty or seventy miles; he would make all the arrangements with his four elder sons and trusty servants, and, probably, even see them across the ford himself, and would return to Haran to fetch his wives and younger children only when all was well advanced. Finally, when Laban goes to a distance, in another direction, for his sheep-shearing, Jacob "sets his sons and his wives upon camels," and follows with the utmost speed. They would have remained quietly at Haran to the last, to avoid suspicion, and, excepting Leah's four elder sons, the rest would have been too young to be of much use. When Jacob, with his wives, overtook the cattle, they would, probably, not travel more than ten or twelve miles a day; but three days passed before Laban learned what had taken place, and a couple of days at least must have been spent in returning to Haran and preparing for the pursuit. Thus Jacob had reached Canaanite ground--a matter of very considerable importance--before his father-in-law overtook him.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So he took
וַיִּקַּ֤ח (way·yiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

his kinsmen
אֶחָיו֙ (’e·ḥāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

with him,
עִמּ֔וֹ (‘im·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

pursued
וַיִּרְדֹּ֣ף (way·yir·dōp̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute

Jacob
אַחֲרָ֔יו (’a·ḥă·rāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

for seven
שִׁבְעַ֣ת (šiḇ·‘aṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

days,
יָמִ֑ים (yā·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day

and overtook
וַיַּדְבֵּ֥ק (way·yaḏ·bêq)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1692: To impinge, cling, adhere, to catch by pursuit

him at Mount
בְּהַ֥ר (bə·har)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

Gilead.
הַגִּלְעָֽד׃ (hag·gil·‘āḏ)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1568: Gilead -- a region in Palestine, also the name of several Israelites


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OT Law: Genesis 31:23 He took his relatives with him (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 31:22
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