7.1.4 Gen. 29 – 31: Jacob and Laban

Plump life with its ups and downs, which does not necessarily coincide  with our idea of ethics, which we would actually like to find in the Bible.  The quarrels among the women about beautiful forms, gentle eyes and  the blessing of children also keep the men’s world on its toes. Quite  incidentally, the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel are born and  introduced. 

Again Jacob must flee. He plans his departure with cunning  and dupes Laban as revenge for the bride’s promise not kept. But Yahweh stands by him(more precisely:by the Abrahamic covenant!) and warns Laban in turn against  revenge. (31:24) Without comment, it is reported that Rachel also took  “her father’s household god” (31:19). It must have been a rather small  statue, since it could be hidden under a camel saddle.