And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.

GENESIS 31:35KJV
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Genesis 31:35 (KJV)

What does Genesis 31:35 mean?

Genesis 31:35 shows Rachel speaking to her father Laban, explaining that she cannot stand up before him because she is experiencing her monthly period, and so he should not be angry with her. Laban searches her tent for his missing household idols but does not find them.

In this scene, Rachel is hiding the household idols (teraphim) that Laban is looking for, and she uses the explanation of her "custom of women" as a reason to stay seated and avoid suspicion. The verse highlights a moment of tension and deception within Jacob’s family as they leave Laban’s household, and it shows Rachel’s quick thinking in a difficult situation.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 31:35

  • "displease" (חָרָה, charah; עַיִן, ayin): The phrase "let it not displease" uses words that together mean "do not let it be burning or upsetting in your eyes." This softens Rachel’s refusal and shows her trying to avoid offending her father.
  • "custom" (דֶּרֶךְ, derek): This word literally means "way" or "manner," and here it refers to the menstrual period, a common euphemism in ancient times. It signals a reason for Rachel’s behavior that would be respected and not questioned further.
  • "images" (תְּרָפִים, teraphim): This word refers to small household idols or figurines, which were often associated with inheritance rights or family religion. Rachel’s act of hiding them is a key detail in the larger story of Jacob’s departure from Laban.

Why Genesis 31:35 matters

  • This verse clears up why Laban did not find his idols, showing that Rachel’s explanation was effective in diverting suspicion from herself.
  • The use of the phrase "the custom of women" reveals how social norms and taboos could be used strategically in family conflicts in ancient times.
  • Genesis 31:35 connects to the larger narrative of Jacob’s family leaving Laban, highlighting themes of trust, deception, and the complicated relationships between family members.

Where else these words appear

“images” Hebrew H8655 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 31:19 And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's.
  • Judges 18:17 And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and came in thither, and took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men that were appointed with weapons of war.
  • 1 Samuel 19:16 And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster.

“searched” Hebrew H2664 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 44:12 And he searched, and began at the eldest, and left at the youngest: and the cup was found in Benjamin's sack.
  • 2 Kings 10:23 And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only.
  • Proverbs 2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

“displease” Hebrew H2734 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 4:5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
  • Deuteronomy 7:4 For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.
  • 1 Chronicles 13:10 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzza, and he smote him, because he put his hand to the ark: and there he died before God.