Bible Strands
Genesis 31:2
And Jacob saw from the countenance of Laban that his attitude toward him had changed.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob observes Laban’s facial expression after learning that Laban’s sons resent Jacob’s wealth. This observation occurs immediately before the Lord commands Jacob to depart for his ancestral homeland.
The words — פָּנִים (pānîm) literally means face or countenance, and רָאָה (rā’â) means to see or perceive. The text states Jacob saw Laban’s face was no longer favorable toward him.
The thread — Biblical narrative consistently ties altered countenances to shifted favor or hostility, as recorded in Daniel 3:19, Genesis 4:5, and 1 Samuel 18:9. This literary pattern treats facial expression as a visible indicator of relational standing.
Why it lands — The verse requires a reader to acknowledge that observable hostility can precede tangible threat. It demands that the reader weigh visible environmental shifts before making a decision.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
Cross-references
- Daniel 3:19 At this, Nebuchadnezzar was filled with rage, and the expression on his face changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He gave orders to heat the furnace seven times hotter than usual,
- Genesis 4:5 but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell.
- 1 Samuel 18:9 And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David.
- Genesis 30:27 But Laban replied, “If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you.”
- 1 Samuel 19:7 So Jonathan summoned David and told him all these things. Then Jonathan brought David to Saul, and David was with Saul as before.
- Exodus 4:10 “Please, Lord,” Moses replied, “I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant, for I am slow of speech and tongue.”
- Deuteronomy 19:4 Now this is the situation regarding the manslayer who flees to one of these cities to save his life, having killed his neighbor accidentally, without intending to harm him:
- Deuteronomy 28:54 The most gentle and refined man among you will begrudge his brother, the wife he embraces, and the rest of his children who have survived,