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Genesis 31:42 - Divine protection rewards righteousness.

Genesis 31:42 - בראשית 31:42

Hebrew Text

לוּלֵי אֱלֹהֵי אָבִי אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם וּפַחַד יִצְחָק הָיָה לִי כִּי עַתָּה רֵיקָם שִׁלַּחְתָּנִי אֶת־עָנְיִי וְאֶת־יְגִיעַ כַּפַּי רָאָה אֱלֹהִים וַיּוֹכַח אָמֶשׁ׃

English Translation

Were it not that the God of my father, the God of Avraham, and the Fear of Yiżĥaq, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God has seen my affliction and the labour of my hands, and He rebuked thee last night.

Transliteration

Lulei Elohei avi Elohei Avraham ufachad Yitzchak haya li ki ata reikam shilachtani et-onyi ve'et-yegia kapai ra'ah Elohim vayochach amesh.

Hebrew Leining Text

לוּלֵ֡י אֱלֹהֵ֣י אָבִי֩ אֱלֹהֵ֨י אַבְרָהָ֜ם וּפַ֤חַד יִצְחָק֙ הָ֣יָה לִ֔י כִּ֥י עַתָּ֖ה רֵיקָ֣ם שִׁלַּחְתָּ֑נִי אֶת־עׇנְיִ֞י וְאֶת־יְגִ֧יעַ כַּפַּ֛י רָאָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַיּ֥וֹכַח אָֽמֶשׁ׃
לוּלֵ֡י אֱלֹהֵ֣י אָבִי֩ אֱלֹהֵ֨י אַבְרָהָ֜ם וּפַ֤חַד יִצְחָק֙ הָ֣יָה לִ֔י כִּ֥י עַתָּ֖ה רֵיקָ֣ם שִׁלַּחְתָּ֑נִי אֶת־עׇנְיִ֞י וְאֶת־יְגִ֧יעַ כַּפַּ֛י רָאָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים וַיּ֥וֹכַח אָֽמֶשׁ׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context of the Verse

This verse (Bereshit 31:42) is part of Yaakov's confrontation with Lavan after working for him for twenty years. Yaakov attributes his success and protection to Hashem, emphasizing that without Divine intervention, Lavan would have sent him away empty-handed despite his years of labor.

Interpretation of Key Phrases

  • "לוּלֵי אֱלֹהֵי אָבִי" (Were it not that the God of my father): Rashi explains that Yaakov refers to Hashem as "the God of my father" (Yitzchak) rather than his own God because he felt his own merits were insufficient, so he invoked the merit of his righteous father (Rashi on Bereshit 31:42).
  • "וּפַחַד יִצְחָק" (and the Fear of Yitzchak): The Midrash (Bereshit Rabbah 74:4) interprets this as a reference to Yitzchak's awe of Hashem, which protected Yaakov. Ramban suggests that "Fear of Yitzchak" is another name for Hashem, emphasizing Yitzchak's unique relationship with the Divine.
  • "רֵיקָם שִׁלַּחְתָּנִי" (sent me away empty): Yaakov accuses Lavan of intending to cheat him entirely, as Lavan had already changed Yaakov's wages ten times (Bereshit 31:7). The Talmud (Bava Metzia 12a) discusses the ethical implications of Lavan's deceitful behavior.

Divine Protection and Justice

Yaakov acknowledges that Hashem saw his suffering ("עָנְיִי") and the toil of his hands ("יְגִיעַ כַּפַּי"). The Sforno explains that this refers to both the physical hardship Yaakov endured and the honest labor he invested. The phrase "וַיּוֹכַח אָמֶשׁ" (He rebuked thee last night) alludes to Hashem's intervention in the dream where He warned Lavan not to harm Yaakov (Bereshit 31:24). The Malbim notes that this demonstrates Hashem's role as the ultimate Judge who protects the oppressed.

Theological Significance

This verse underscores the principle of hashgacha pratit (Divine providence), showing how Hashem oversees the lives of the righteous and intervenes on their behalf. The mention of Avraham and Yitzchak highlights the continuity of the covenant and the merit of the Avot. The Netziv (Ha'amek Davar) adds that Yaakov's wording teaches humility—even a tzaddik like Yaakov relies on the merit of his ancestors.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Chullin 91a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about Jacob's encounter with Laban, illustrating divine protection and justice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 'the God of my father, the God of Avraham, and the Fear of Yitzchak' mean in this verse?
A: Yaakov refers to Hashem with three descriptions to emphasize Divine protection. Rashi explains that 'the Fear of Yitzchak' means Yitzchak served Hashem with awe and reverence. The mention of Avraham and Yitzchak shows that Yaakov's relationship with Hashem is rooted in his ancestors' covenant.
Q: Why does Yaakov say Lavan would have sent him away empty without Hashem's help?
A: Yaakov recognizes that Lavan tried to cheat him repeatedly (as seen earlier in Genesis). The Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 74:9) explains that without Divine intervention, Lavan would have succeeded in depriving Yaakov of his rightful wages after 20 years of hard work.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Yaakov attributing his success to Hashem?
A: The Rambam (Hilchot De'ot 3:3) teaches that we must recognize Hashem's hand in our successes, just as Yaakov did. Even after working hard for 20 years, Yaakov understood his prosperity came from Divine protection, not just his own efforts - a model of proper faith and humility.
Q: What does it mean that 'God saw my affliction and the labor of my hands'?
A: Rashi explains this refers to how Yaakov suffered from Lavan's constant trickery (affliction) and yet remained honest in his work (labor of his hands). Hashem took note of both Yaakov's suffering and his integrity, ultimately rewarding him and rebuking Lavan.