Genesis 31:17
ESV
So Jacob arose and set his sons and his wives on camels.
NIV
Then Jacob put his children and his wives on camels,
NASB
Then Jacob stood up and put his children and his wives on camels;
CSB
So Jacob got up and put his children and wives on the camels.
NLT
So Jacob put his wives and children on camels,
KJV
Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;
NKJV
Then Jacob rose and set his sons and his wives on camels.
What does Genesis 31:17 mean?
Jacob and his wives, Leah and Rachel, have agreed to leave the women's father, Laban, due to his persistent cheating and mistreatment of their family (Genesis 29:20–28; 30:31–36). Despite their long-running feud (Genesis 30:8), these sisters and wives to the same husband agree that their father cares nothing for them. They are ready to support Jacob, and to follow God's instruction to move back to Canaan.Scripture does not explicitly indicate if Jacob packed up his family and left immediately after hearing that his wives would support him in the move away from Laban. We're not told how much time it took, but the implication is that they moved with some haste. Jacob wanted to get away without Laban knowing he was gone.
Jacob had become wealthy. He had acquired camels, the preferred method of travel for women and children at the time. He apparently had enough camels to carry four wives and 11 sons. This caravan of Jacob's family and worldly goods would become very long.
Genesis 31:1–21 describes the events that propel Jacob to sneak away from Laban and head toward his homeland of Canaan. First, he learns that Laban and his sons are dangerously unhappy with him for taking so many of Laban's profits. Then God commands Jacob to go, promising to be with him. After securing the support of his wives, Jacob packs up his large family and property and sneaks away toward Gilead and then home.
Genesis 31 describes Jacob's difficult separation from Laban, his father-in-law, as well as his boss for twenty years. During that time, Jacob was routinely mistreated and cheated by his master. Commanded by God to return to the land of Canaan, Jacob packs up his wives, children, and all of his possessions and leaves without telling Laban. Laban soon catches up with the large company. Laban and Jacob confront each other bitterly. Eventually, though, they make a covenant of separation and peace.
