Genesis 31 · Verse 2

Genesis 31:2

And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
Genesis 31:2, King James Version

Genesis 31:2 in other translations

BSBAnd Jacob saw from the countenance of Laban that his attitude toward him had changed.
WEBJacob saw the expression on Laban’s face, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
ASVAnd Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as beforetime.
YLTand Jacob seeth the face of Laban, and lo, it is not with him as heretofore.
DARBYAnd Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and behold, it was not toward him as previously.
BBEAnd Jacob saw that Laban's feeling for him was no longer what it had been before.
WebsterAnd Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and behold, it was not towards him as before.

What does Genesis 31:2 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
2. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban--literally, "was not the same as yesterday, and the day before," a common Oriental form of speech. The insinuations against Jacob's fidelity by Laban's sons, and the sullen reserve, the churlish conduct, of Laban himself, had made Jacob's situation, in his uncle's establishment, most trying and painful. It is always one of the vexations attendant on worldly prosperity, that it excites the envy of others (Ec 4:4); and that, however careful a man is to maintain a good conscience, he cannot always reckon on maintaining a good name, in a censorious world. This, Jacob experienced; and it is probable that, like a good man, he had asked direction and relief in prayer.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Genesis 31:1-21

The affairs of these families are related very minutely, while (what are called) the great events of states and kingdoms at that period, are not mentioned. The Bible teaches people the common duties of life, how to serve God, how to enjoy the blessings he bestows, and to do good in the various stations and duties of life. Selfish men consider themselves robbed of all that goes past them, and covetousness will even…

Read the full comment on Genesis 31:1-21 →

Genesis 31:2 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיַּ֥רְאvai.Yar'and he sawH7200
יַעֲקֹ֖בya.'a.KoJacobH3290
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
פְּנֵ֣יpe.Nei[the] face ofH6440
לָבָ֑ןla.VanLabanH3837
וְהִנֵּ֥הve.hi.Nehand there!H2009
אֵינֶ֛נּוּ'ei.ne.Nunot [was] heH369
עִמּ֖וֹi.Mowith himH5973
כִּתְמ֥וֹלkit.Molas yesterdayH8543
שִׁלְשֽׁוֹם\׃shil.Shomthree days agoH8032

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Genesis 31:2

  • Daniel 3:19

    Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–nego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.

  • 1 Samuel 18:9-11

    And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul’s hand. And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice.

  • Genesis 4:5

    But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.

  • Genesis 30:27

    And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake.

  • 1 Samuel 19:7

    And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan shewed him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as in times past.

  • Exodus 4:10

    And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.

  • Deuteronomy 28:54

    So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave:

  • Deuteronomy 19:4

    And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
countenance.
4:5; De 28:54; 1Sa 18:9-11; Da 3:19
it was.
30:27
as before. Heb. as yesterday and the day before.
Ex 4:10; De 19:4; 1Sa 19:7; *marg:

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Genesis 31:1

    And he heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father’s; and of that which was our father’s hath he gotten all this glory.

  • Genesis 31:2

    And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.

  • Genesis 31:3

    And the Lord said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.

Read all of Genesis 31

Genesis 31:2 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Miraba también Jacob el semblante de Labán, y veía que no era para con él como ayer y antes de ayer.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Et Jacob regarda le visage de Laban; et voici, il n’était pas envers lui comme auparavant.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Und Jakob sah das Angesicht Labans, und siehe, es war nicht gegen ihn wie früher.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
animadvertit quoque faciem Laban, quod non esset erga se sicut heri et nudiustertius,