Genesis 31 · Verse 4

Genesis 31:4

And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,

Genesis 31:4, King James Version

Genesis 31:4 in other translations

BSB	So Jacob sent word and called Rachel and Leah to the field where his flocks were,
WEB	Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock,
ASV	And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,
YLT	And Jacob sendeth and calleth for Rachel and for Leah to the field unto his flock;
DARBY	And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the fields to his flock,
BBE	And Jacob sent for Rachel and Leah to come to him in the field among his flock.
Webster	And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field to his flock,

What does Genesis 31:4 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

4. Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah--His wives and family were in their usual residence. Whether he wished them to be present at the festivities of sheep shearing, as some think; or, because he could not leave his flock, he called them both to come to him, in order that, having resolved on immediate departure, he might communicate his intentions. Rachel and Leah only were called, for the other two wives, being secondary and still in a state of servitude, were not entitled to be taken into account. Jacob acted the part of a dutiful husband in telling them his plans; for husbands that love their wives should consult with them and trust in them (Pr 31:11).

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 4 Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah - He had probably been at some considerable distance with the flocks; and for the greater secrecy, he rather sends for them to the field, to consult them on this most momentous affair, than visit them in their tents, where probably some of the family of Laban might overhear their conversation, though Laban himself was at the time three days' journey off. It is possible that Jacob shore his sheep at the same time; and that he sent for his wives and household furniture to erect tents on the spot, that they might partake of the festivities usual on such occasions. Thus they might all depart without being suspected.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · 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 31:4 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.

וַיִּשְׁלַ֣חvai.yish.Lachand he sentH7971

יַעֲקֹ֔בya.'a.KoJacobH3290

וַיִּקְרָ֖אvai.yik.Ra'and he summonedH7121

לְרָחֵ֣לle.ra.Chel<to> RachelH7354

וּלְלֵאָ֑הu.le.le.'Ahand <to> LeahH3812

הַשָּׂדֶ֖הha.sa.Dehthe fieldH7704

אֶל\־'el-toH413

צֹאנֽוֹ\׃tzo.Noflock hisH6629

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

Context

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.
Genesis 31:4
And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,
Genesis 31:5
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.

Read all of Genesis 31

Genesis 31:4 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Y envió Jacob, y llamó á Rachêl y á Lea al campo á sus ovejas,
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et Jacob envoya, et appela Rachel et Léa aux champs, vers son troupeau;
German Elberfelder 1871	Da sandte Jakob hin und ließ Rahel und Lea aufs Feld rufen zu seiner Herde.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Misit, et vocavit Rachel et Liam in agrum, ubi pascebat greges,