Study Desk

Then he set the peeled branches in the watering troughs in front of the flocks coming in to drink. So when the flocks were in heat and came to drink,

Whenever the stronger females of the flock were in heat, Jacob would place the branches in the troughs, in full view of the animals, so that they would breed in front of the branches.

But if the animals were weak, he did not set out the branches. So the weaker animals went to Laban and the stronger ones to Jacob.

So Jacob sent word and called Rachel and Leah to the field where his flocks were,

Surely all the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. So do whatever God has told you."

So Jacob got up and put his children and his wives on camels,

So he fled with all his possessions, crossed the Euphrates, and headed for the hill country of Gilead.

So he took his kinsmen with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him at Mount Gilead.

So Laban went into Jacob's tent, then Leah's tent, and then the tents of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. Then he left Leah's tent and entered Rachel's tent.

Rachel said to her father, "Sir, do not be angry that I cannot stand up before you; for I am having my period." So Laban searched, but could not find the household idols.

Then Jacob became incensed and challenged Laban. "What is my crime?" he said. "For what sin of mine have you so hotly pursued me?

So Jacob picked out a stone and set it up as a pillar,

and he said to his relatives, "Gather some stones." So they took stones and made a mound, and there by the mound they ate.

May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us." So Jacob swore by the One feared by his father Isaac.

When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is the camp of God." So he named that place Mahanaim.

I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, menservants, and maidservants. I have sent this message to inform my master, so that I may find favor in your sight.'"

So Jacob's gifts went on before him, while he spent the night in the camp.

So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak.

So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, "Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared."

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.