And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.

GENESIS 31:18KJV
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Genesis 31:18 (KJV)

What does Genesis 31:18 mean?

Genesis 31:18 describes Jacob gathering all his livestock and possessions that he had acquired in Padanaram, and setting out with his family to return to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan. The verse highlights Jacob’s decision to leave the region where he had lived and worked for many years and journey back to his ancestral home.

In this part of the story, Jacob is taking a significant step by leaving his father-in-law Laban’s household in Padanaram (a region in northern Mesopotamia) and heading toward Canaan, where his father Isaac lives. This move marks a turning point in Jacob’s life, as he brings with him everything he has gained during his time away, including his family, livestock, and wealth.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 31:18

  • The word for "cattle" is מִקְנֶה (miqneh), which refers broadly to livestock or herds, not just cows. This shows that Jacob’s wealth included various types of animals.
  • "Goods" is רְכוּשׁ (rekhush), meaning possessions or property. This emphasizes that Jacob took not only animals but all his material wealth.
  • "Gotten" comes from רָכַשׁ (raqash), which means to acquire or gain. The verse repeats this idea to stress that everything Jacob had was earned during his time in Padanaram.
  • "Padanaram" (פַּדַּן אֲרָם, Paddan Aram) is the specific region where Jacob lived with Laban. Naming it here reminds the reader of Jacob’s long stay away from Canaan.

Why Genesis 31:18 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jacob did not leave empty-handed; he took all he had gained, showing the fulfillment of God’s promise to prosper him despite difficulties with Laban.
  • By mentioning both livestock and goods, the verse underlines the completeness of Jacob’s departure—he is making a full break from his old life.
  • The reference to Isaac and the land of Canaan connects Jacob’s journey to the larger story of the patriarchs and God’s covenant promises to Abraham’s family.

Where else these words appear

“gotten” Hebrew H7408 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 12:5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
  • Genesis 36:6 And Esau took his wives, and his sons, and his daughters, and all the persons of his house, and his cattle, and all his beasts, and all his substance, which he had got in the land of Canaan; and went into the country from the face of his brother Jacob.
  • Genesis 46:6 And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:

“getting” Hebrew H7075 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 34:23 Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be ours? only let us consent unto them, and they will dwell with us.
  • Joshua 14:4 For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance.
  • Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

“Padanaram” Hebrew H6307 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
  • Genesis 28:6 When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;
  • Genesis 35:9 And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.

“goods” Hebrew H7399 · used in 27 verses

  • Genesis 12:5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
  • Genesis 46:6 And they took their cattle, and their goods, which they had gotten in the land of Canaan, and came into Egypt, Jacob, and all his seed with him:
  • 2 Chronicles 32:29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.