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Genesis 31:23

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 31:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days` journey; and he overtook him in the mountain of Gilead.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days` journey; and he overtook him in the mountain of Gilead.
Genesis 31:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.
21So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the River, and set his face toward the mountain of Gilead.
22And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.
23And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days` journey; and he overtook him in the mountain of Gilead.
24And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream of the night, and said unto him, Take heed to thyself that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.
25And Laban came up with Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountain: and Laban with his brethren encamped in the mountain of Gilead.
26And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters as captives of the sword?
← Genesis 31:22Genesis 31:24 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he took his brethren with him, etc.] Some of his relations, the descendants of his father’s brethren, the sons of Nahor, of whom there were seven, besides Bethuel; and who all perhaps lived in Haran the city of Nahor, (see <012220>Genesis 22:20-24); or some of his neighbours and acquaintance whom he might call to: and pursued after him seven days’ journey; which must be reckoned, not from Jacob’s departure from Haran, but from Laban’s; for Laban being three days’ journey from thence, whither he had to return, after he received the news of Jacob being gone; Jacob must have travelled six days before Laban set out with his brethren from Haran; so that this was, as Ben Gerson conjectures,…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification