Bible Strands
Genesis 31:3
Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD speaks to Jacob immediately after Jacob observes Laban’s hostile shift, commanding him to depart before Jacob gathers his wives.
The words — The verb שׁוּב (shuv) commands a literal “return” to the אֶרֶץ (E.retz) of his אֲבוֹתֶיךָ (a.vo.Tei.kha), marking a decisive geographical and relational departure.
The thread — This directive echoes the earlier covenant in Genesis 28:15 and aligns with Jacob’s later prayer in Genesis 32:9, where he recalls the Lord’s instruction to return to his homeland.
Why it lands — The text places the command to leave before the guarantee of divine presence, requiring obedience prior to comfort.
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 the Lord said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.
Cross-references
- Genesis 28:15 Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
- Genesis 32:9 Then Jacob declared, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, the LORD who told me, ‘Go back to your country and to your kindred, and I will make you prosper,’
- Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”
- Genesis 31:13 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and made a solemn vow to Me. Now get up, leave this land at once, and return to your native land.’”
- Psalms 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”
- Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
- Genesis 21:22 At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do.
- Genesis 13:15 for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever.
- Genesis 26:3 Stay in this land as a foreigner, and I will be with you and bless you. For I will give all these lands to you and your offspring, and I will confirm the oath that I swore to your father Abraham.
- Genesis 26:24 and that night the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for the sake of My servant Abraham.”