Jacob Departs from Laban’s House: Four scenes make up this account, in which Jacob prepares to leave Laban’s house (vv. 1–16); Jacob’s family flees (vv. 17–24), Laban confronts Jacob (vv. 25–42), and Laban and Jacob make a covenant (vv. 43–55).

31:1–3 Jacob became aware that Laban’s sons were disgruntled with him, complaining that he had gained much wealth at their father’s expense. They claimed that he had taken everything that their father owned. Jacob also noticed that Laban’s attitude toward him had become more unfavorable. Yahweh used these circumstances to motivate Jacob to leave Laban’s household and return to Canaan. Then one day Yahweh told Jacob, Go back to the land of your fathers. With these instructions Yahweh gave him the greatest promise, the promise of his presence (28:15). …