Genesis 31:17 (KJV)

What does Genesis 31:17 mean?

Genesis 31:17 describes Jacob getting up and placing his sons and wives on camels, preparing to leave with his family. The verse shows Jacob taking action to move his entire household, signaling the beginning of their departure from Laban’s household.

In this scene, Jacob is the main figure, and he is acting to protect and lead his family away from his father-in-law Laban. The mention of camels highlights that the journey would be long and required preparation, as camels were valuable for travel in that region. This verse marks a turning point where Jacob takes responsibility for his family’s future and safety.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 31:17

• The word for "rose up" is קוּם (qum), here tagged as "up (H6965)", which often means to stand or get ready for action. In this context, it shows Jacob making a decisive move.
• The word for "set" is נָשָׂא (nasa’), here tagged as "set (H5375)", which means to lift or carry. This suggests Jacob physically arranged for his family to be placed on the camels, emphasizing his care and leadership.
• The word for "camels" is גָּמָל (gamal), here tagged as "camels (H1581)", highlighting that Jacob’s family had resources for the journey, as camels were valuable and practical for long-distance travel.

Why Genesis 31:17 matters

• This verse shows Jacob’s initiative and responsibility as he leads his family away from a difficult situation with Laban, setting the stage for the events that follow.
• The mention of camels and the act of setting his family on them points to the seriousness and scale of the journey, underlining the risk and preparation involved.
• Understanding this verse helps clarify the transition in Jacob’s life from working under Laban to forging his own path, a key moment in the wider story of Genesis.