Discovery BoxGenesis 31:34-35 
Context31:34 (Now Rachel had taken the idols and put them inside her camel’s saddle 1 and sat on them.) 2 Laban searched the whole tent, but did not find them. 3 31:35 Rachel 4 said to her father, “Don’t be angry, 5 my lord. I cannot stand up 6 in your presence because I am having my period.” 7 So he searched thoroughly, 8 but did not find the idols.
1 tn The “camel’s saddle” was probably some sort of basket-saddle, a cushioned saddle with a basket bound on. Cf. NAB “inside a camel cushion.”
2 tn The disjunctive clause (introduced by a vav [ו] conjunction) provides another parenthetical statement necessary to the storyline.
3 tn The word “them” has been supplied in the translation for clarification.
4 tn Heb “she”; the referent (Rachel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
5 tn Heb “let it not be hot in the eyes of my lord.” This idiom refers to anger, in this case as a result of Rachel’s failure to stand in the presence of her father as a sign of respect.
6 tn Heb “I am unable to rise.”
7 tn Heb “the way of women is to me.” This idiom refers to a woman’s menstrual period.
8 tn The word “thoroughly” is not in the Hebrew text, but is implied.
