Study Desk

I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, 'Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.'

Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father's house. But why did you steal my gods?"

But if you find anyone who has your gods, he shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it." Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.

So Laban went into Jacob's tent and into Leah's tent and into the tent of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. After he came out of Leah's tent, he entered Rachel's tent.

Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her camel's saddle and was sitting on them. Laban searched through everything in the tent but found nothing.

Rachel said to her father, "Don't be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I'm having my period." So he searched but could not find the household gods.

If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you."

I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. I had only my staff when I crossed this Jordan, but now I have become two groups.

But you have said, 'I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.' "

So Jacob's gifts went on ahead of him, but he himself spent the night in the camp.

Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."

Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."

Jacob said, "Please tell me your name." But he replied, "Why do you ask my name?" Then he blessed him there.

But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.

But Esau said, "I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself."

But Jacob said to him, "My lord knows that the children are tender and that I must care for the ewes and cows that are nursing their young. If they are driven hard just one day, all the animals will die.

Esau said, "Then let me leave some of my men with you." "But why do that?" Jacob asked. "Just let me find favor in the eyes of my lord."

But Hamor said to them, "My son Shechem has his heart set on your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife.

But if you will not agree to be circumcised, we'll take our sister and go."

But the men will consent to live with us as one people only on the condition that our males be circumcised, as they themselves are.