And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.

GENESIS 31:22KJV
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Genesis 31:22 (KJV)

What does Genesis 31:22 mean?

Genesis 31:22 marks the moment when Laban learns that Jacob has left without telling him. The news reaches Laban on the third day, giving Jacob a head start before Laban begins to pursue him.

The sentence is part of the story’s narration, not a quotation from a speaker. The phrase “the third day” marks the delay between Jacob’s departure and Laban’s discovery. That delay matters for understanding the chase that follows.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 31:22

  • “told” — נָגַד (nagad): This word can mean to make something known or report it. Here, the wording presents the news as something brought to Laban by another person.
  • “fled” — בָּרַח (barach): This word carries the sense of running away or escaping. It portrays Jacob’s departure as a flight, rather than an ordinary leave-taking.

Why Genesis 31:22 matters

  • Jacob’s departure was concealed from Laban. Genesis 31:20 says Jacob left without telling him, so the report in verse 22 brings that secret into the open.
  • The delay helps explain why Laban must pursue Jacob rather than stop him at once. In verse 23, Laban takes his relatives with him and follows Jacob for seven days.
  • The report sets up a dispute about how Jacob left. When Laban catches up with Jacob, he asks why Jacob fled secretly and took Laban’s daughters away without letting him say goodbye (Genesis 31:26–28).

Where else these words appear

“Laban” Hebrew H3837 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 24:29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
  • Genesis 29:24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.
  • Genesis 31:24 And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

“fled” Hebrew H1272 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 16:6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
  • 1 Samuel 23:6 And it came to pass, when Abiathar the son of Ahimelech fled to David to Keilah, that he came down with an ephod in his hand.
  • Job 14:2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

“third” Hebrew H7992 · used in 94 verses

  • Genesis 1:13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.
  • 1 Samuel 3:8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:10 The third to Zaccur, he, his sons, and his brethren, were twelve: