Bible Strands
Genesis 31:32
If you find your gods with anyone here, he shall not live! In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself if anything is yours, and take it back.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Laban addresses Jacob at the hill country of Gilead after a seven-day pursuit, pronouncing a death sentence on anyone holding his household idols and inviting their shared relatives to inspect and reclaim any property.
The words — תִּמְצָא (tim.Tza') translates literally as “you will find,” while לֹא יִחְיֶה (lo yich.Yeh) renders “he shall not live,” forming Laban’s unqualified threat.
The thread — The warning follows Laban’s initial accusation in Genesis 31:30, recalls the idol theft in Genesis 31:19, and precedes the tent searches described in Genesis 31:33.
Why it lands — The narrative records Jacob’s unawareness of Rachel’s theft and Laban’s public ultimatum, requiring the reader to observe the factual gap between human concealment and the unfolding account without supplying moral resolution.
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
With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.
Cross-references
- Genesis 31:19 Now while Laban was out shearing his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household idols.
- Genesis 31:23 So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.
- Genesis 31:30 Now you have gone off because you long for your father’s house. But why have you stolen my gods?”
- Genesis 44:9 If any of your servants is found to have it, he must die, and the rest will become slaves of my lord.”
- 1 Samuel 12:3 Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.”
- Genesis 19:7 “Please, my brothers,” he pleaded, “don’t do such a wicked thing!
- Genesis 30:33 So my honesty will testify for me when you come to check on my wages in the future. If I have any goats that are not speckled or spotted, or any lambs that are not dark-colored, they will be considered stolen.”
- 1 Samuel 14:24 Now the men of Israel were in distress that day, for Saul had placed the troops under an oath, saying, “Cursed is the man who eats any food before evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.” So none of the troops tasted any food.
- 2 Corinthians 8:20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this generous gift.
- 2 Corinthians 12:17 Did I exploit you by anyone I sent you?