Discovery BoxGenesis 31:18 
Context31:18 He took 1 away all the livestock he had acquired in Paddan Aram and all his moveable property that he had accumulated. Then he set out toward the land of Canaan to return to his father Isaac. 2
Genesis 31:20
Context31:20 Jacob also deceived 3 Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was leaving. 4
Genesis 31:24
Context31:24 But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and warned him, 5 “Be careful 6 that you neither bless nor curse Jacob.” 7
1 tn Heb “drove,” but this is subject to misunderstanding in contemporary English.
2 tn Heb “and he led away all his cattle and all his moveable property which he acquired, the cattle he obtained, which he acquired in Paddan Aram to go to Isaac his father to the land of Canaan.”
3 tn Heb “stole the heart of,” an expression which apparently means “to deceive.” The repetition of the verb “to steal” shows that Jacob and Rachel are kindred spirits. Any thought that Laban would have resigned himself to their departure was now out of the question.
4 tn Heb “fleeing,” which reflects Jacob’s viewpoint.
5 tn Heb “said to him.”
6 tn Heb “watch yourself,” which is a warning to be on guard against doing something that is inappropriate.
7 tn Heb “lest you speak with Jacob from good to evil.” The precise meaning of the expression, which occurs only here and in v. 29, is uncertain. Since Laban proceeded to speak to Jacob at length, it cannot mean to maintain silence. Nor does it seem to be a prohibition against criticism (see vv. 26-30). Most likely it refers to a formal pronouncement, whether it be a blessing or a curse. Laban was to avoid saying anything to Jacob that would be intended to enhance him or to harm him.
