Bible Strands
Genesis 31:5
and he told them, “I can see from your father’s countenance that his attitude toward me has changed; but the God of my father has been with me.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob addresses Rachel and Leah in the field where his flocks were, immediately after observing Laban’s hostile shift. He explains his decision to flee by contrasting human unreliability with divine faithfulness.
The words — רֹאֶ֤ה (ro.'Eh) = [am] seeing and אֵינֶ֥/נּוּ ('ei.Ne./nu) = not [is]/ he. The Hebrew syntax places the act of perception and the negation of presence in direct opposition to frame the verse’s contrast.
The thread — The observation of a changed attitude appears in Genesis 31:2, and the affirmation of divine presence is echoed in Genesis 31:42. Both references anchor the event within Jacob’s broader struggle and reliance on covenant faithfulness.
Why it lands — It requires acknowledging that human hostility shifts while divine fidelity remains constant, demanding trust in God’s presence regardless of changing circumstances. The verse functions as a factual record of perception and theological assertion, not a promise of immediate deliverance.
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 said unto them, I see your father’s countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.
Cross-references
- Genesis 31:2 And Jacob saw from the countenance of Laban that his attitude toward him had changed.
- Genesis 31:42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, surely by now you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, and last night He rendered judgment.”
- Genesis 31:53 May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.
- Genesis 48:15 Then he blessed Joseph and said: “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day,
- 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,’
- Genesis 50:17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I beg you, please forgive the transgression and sin of your brothers, for they did you wrong.’ So now, Joseph, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
- 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 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.’”