And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it [was] not toward him as before.
2. the countenance of Laban ] Here, and in Gen 31:5, Laban’s countenance toward Jacob is said to be altered. For this idiomatic use of “the countenance” as expressing feeling, cf. Gen 4:5.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And this change of his countenance argued a change in his mind, and prosaged some evil intentions in him towards Jacob.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. And Jacob beheld the countenanceof Labanliterally, “was not the same as yesterday, andthe day before,” a common Oriental form of speech. Theinsinuations against Jacob’s fidelity by Laban’s sons, and the sullenreserve, the churlish conduct, of Laban himself, had made Jacob’ssituation, in his uncle’s establishment, most trying and painful. Itis always one of the vexations attendant on worldly prosperity, thatit excites the envy of others (Ec4:4); and that, however careful a man is to maintain a goodconscience, he cannot always reckon on maintaining a good name, in acensorious world. This, Jacob experienced; and it is probable that,like a good man, he had asked direction and relief in prayer.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban,…. Upon this he observed Laban’s looks, that he might gather from thence how he took his prosperity; what were his thoughts about it, and what he might expect from him on that account:
and, behold, it [was] not towards him as before; he said nothing to Jacob, nor charged him with robbing of him, or any false dealing with him, yet was uneasy at his growing prosperity; he put on sour looks, and an envious countenance, sad, and surly, and lowering; so that Jacob saw it foreboded no good to him, and therefore thought it most advisable to depart as soon as he could; though perhaps he first sought the Lord about it, who spoke to him as in Ge 31:3.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
22. And it was told Laban. The Lord gave to his servant the interval of a three-days’ journey, so that having passed the Euphrates, he might enter the boundaries of the promised land. And perhaps, in the mean time, he cooled the rage of Laban, the assault of which, in its first heat, might have been intolerable severe. (95) By afterward permitting Jacob to be intercepted in the midst of his journey, God intended to tender his own interposition the more illustrious. It seemed desirable that Jacob’s course should not be interrupted, and that he should not be filled with alarm by the hostile approach of his father-in-law; but when Laban, like a savage wild beast, breathing nothing but slaughter, is suddenly restrained by the Lord, this was far more likely to confirm the faith of the holy man, and therefore far more useful to him. For, as in the very act of giving assistance, the power of God shone forth more clearly; so, relying on divine help, he passed more courageously through remaining trials. Whence we learn, that those perturbations which, at the time, are troublesome to us, yet tend to our salvation, if only we obediently submit to the will of God; who purposely thus tries us, that he may indeed show more fully the care which he takes of us. It was a sad and miserable sight, that Jacob, taking so large a family with him, should flee as if his conscience had accused him of evil: but it was far more bitter and more formidable, that Laban, intent on his destruction, should threaten his life. Yet the method of his deliverance, which is described by Moses, was more illustrious than any victory. For God, descending from heaven to bring assistance to his servant, places himself between the parties, and in a moment assuages the indomitable fury with which Laban was inflamed.
(95) “Doubtless this pursuit, undertaken with such vehemence by Laban, was for the purpose of bringing back Jacob with all his family and all his wealth, and under the pretext that he had taken flight and had been guilty of theft, to retain him henceforth as a captive, and to subject him to perpetual slavery.” — Rivetus in Genesis.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
2. Not toward him as before During the fourteen years of his service, when Laban had all the advantage, and every thing his own way, he doubtless treated Jacob with great regard, so that the latter would be quick to note coldness and opposition . His changing his wages (Gen 31:7) gave him opportunity to show his growing dislike . The Hebrew for as before is idiomatic; literally, yesterday three days; that is, yesterday and the third day, or yesterday and before . Somewhat like our “yesterday week . ”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Gen 4:6
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 31:2 And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it [was] not toward him as before.
Ver. 2. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban. ] He said little, for shame, but thought the more, and could not so conceal his discontent, but that it appeared in his lowering looks. That which he had parted with in his riches, was, as it were, raked out of his belly; Job 20:15 he had as beloved have parted with his very heart blood. And this was plain to Jacob by his countenance, which had been friendly, smooth, and smiling; but now was cloudy, sad, spiteful. The young men were hot, and could not hold or hide what was in their heart, but blurted it out, and spoke their minds freely. This old fox held his tongue, but could not keep his countenance.
“En, quam difficile est animum non prodere vultu.”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
countenance: Gen 4:5, Deu 28:54, 1Sa 18:9-11, Dan 3:19
it was: Gen 30:27
as before: Heb. as yesterday and the day before, Exo 4:10, Deu 19:4, 1Sa 19:7, *marg.
Reciprocal: Gen 31:5 – I see Jos 3:4 – heretofore