This sheet on Genesis 31 was written by Yoel Bin Nun for 929 and can also be found here
Rachel did not reveal to Jacob that she stole the household idols, and a terrible price was paid because of Jacob's decree, "but anyone with whom you find your gods shall not remain alive" (Genesis 31:32). In the next episode we shall read about Rachel's tragic death in the birth of Benjamin.
Why did Rachel steal the household idols?
The struggle between Jacob and Laban is over the property that came from Laban’s home, and therefore it seems that the idols are part of the struggle. Indeed, one of the ancient documents found in the city of Nuzi (in the east of Mesopotamia) states that if an adoptive son works for his adoptive father and is considered an heir according to custom or contract, if a natural child is born, they will divide the property equally, but the natural son will receive the idols of the house. The meaning of the contract from Nuzi according to a number of important scholars is that the natural son receives the household idols, and thus will be the head of the entire family and all the property will go to him.
These researchers explained that the theft of the idols was intended to prevent Laban from proving his status as master of the house and taking the property from Jacob. There are scholars who disagree with this interpretation, but the context of the episode proves that the question at stake is indeed the question of property - whether it is Jacob's, or everything belongs to Laban.
Rachel and Leah said to Jacob: "Truly, all the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children" (Genesis 31:16), while Laban wanted to take it all back, and said later: "Then Laban spoke up and said to Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters, the children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks; all that you see is mine... "(Genesis 31:43). Jacob himself concluded with his cry: "Had not the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, been with me, you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God took notice of my plight and the toil of my hands, and He gave judgment last night" (Genesis 31:42).
Why did Rachel steal the household idols?
The struggle between Jacob and Laban is over the property that came from Laban’s home, and therefore it seems that the idols are part of the struggle. Indeed, one of the ancient documents found in the city of Nuzi (in the east of Mesopotamia) states that if an adoptive son works for his adoptive father and is considered an heir according to custom or contract, if a natural child is born, they will divide the property equally, but the natural son will receive the idols of the house. The meaning of the contract from Nuzi according to a number of important scholars is that the natural son receives the household idols, and thus will be the head of the entire family and all the property will go to him.
These researchers explained that the theft of the idols was intended to prevent Laban from proving his status as master of the house and taking the property from Jacob. There are scholars who disagree with this interpretation, but the context of the episode proves that the question at stake is indeed the question of property - whether it is Jacob's, or everything belongs to Laban.
Rachel and Leah said to Jacob: "Truly, all the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children" (Genesis 31:16), while Laban wanted to take it all back, and said later: "Then Laban spoke up and said to Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters, the children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks; all that you see is mine... "(Genesis 31:43). Jacob himself concluded with his cry: "Had not the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, been with me, you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God took notice of my plight and the toil of my hands, and He gave judgment last night" (Genesis 31:42).
Rabbi Yoel Bin Nun, PhD. is a religious Zionist rabbi who was among the founders of Yeshivat Har Etzion
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