Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.

Genesis 31:30-35

Jacob has left the land of Laban with his wives after serving him for twenty years. He had sensed friction with Laban and his sons due to many blessings from God. His escape was not noticed for three days at which time Laban pursued him. He caught up to Jacob last week and Laban spoke of the warning he got from YHVH - not to say anything "either good or bad" to Jacob. Laban talked about Jacob tricking him.

We pick up that conversation today with Laban speaking to Jacob about the way he left and some missing idols called 'household gods'.

Laban starts our nice saying he understands that Jacob missed his homeland, then added, "but why did you steal my household gods.?" Jacob knows that he did not do it then adds a furthermore, anyone that has your gods is dead!

It seems that Rachel, his love, is always just out of reach, unable to have children, or on the brink of death... Jacob had no idea what she had done.

This is a long chapter and a pivotal time in the foundations of Israel. Let us see what can be done in order to make both parties whole again.

Today's reading

English

And now you have gone away because you longed greatly for your father's house, but why did you steal my gods?" Jacob answered and said to Laban, "Because I was afraid, for I thought that you would take your daughters from me by force. 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.

So Laban went into Jacob's tent and into Leah's tent and into the tent of the two female servants, but he did not find them. And he went out of Leah's tent and entered Rachel's.

Now Rachel had taken the house- hold gods and put them in the camel's saddle and sat on them. Laban felt all about the tent, but did not find them.

And she said to her father, "Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise before you, for the way of women is upon me." So he searched but did not find the household gods.

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Hebrew

The story continues next week as Jacob responds...

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Info on each letter starting at the beginning

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Thanks for reading.

Shabbat Shalom