Discovery BoxGenesis 31:10-13 
Context31:10 “Once 1 during breeding season I saw 2 in a dream that the male goats mating with 3 the flock were streaked, speckled, and spotted. 31:11 In the dream the angel of God said to me, ‘Jacob!’ ‘Here I am!’ I replied. 31:12 Then he said, ‘Observe 4 that all the male goats mating with 5 the flock are streaked, speckled, or spotted, for I have observed all that Laban has done to you. 31:13 I am the God of Bethel, 6 where you anointed 7 the sacred stone and made a vow to me. 8 Now leave this land immediately 9 and return to your native land.’”
1 tn The sentence begins with the temporal indicator, “and it happened at the time of.”
2 tn Heb “in the time of the breeding of the flock I lifted up my eyes and I saw.”
3 tn Heb “going up on,” that is, mounting for intercourse.
4 tn Heb “lift up (now) your eyes and see.”
5 tn Heb “going up on,” that is, mounting for intercourse.
6 map For location see Map4 G4; Map5 C1; Map6 E3; Map7 D1; Map8 G3.
7 sn You anointed the sacred stone. In Gen 28:18 the text simply reported that Jacob poured oil on top of the stone. Now that pouring is interpreted by the
8 sn And made a vow to me. The second clause reminds Jacob of the vow he made to the
9 tn Heb “arise, leave!” The first imperative draws attention to the need for immediate action.
sn Leave this land immediately. The decision to leave was a wise one in view of the changed attitude in Laban and his sons. But more than that, it was the will of God. Jacob needed to respond to God’s call – the circumstances simply made it easier.
