Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent and into the tent of the two female servants, but he found nothing. After he came out of Leah’s tent, he entered Rachel’s tent. New Living Translation Laban went first into Jacob’s tent to search there, then into Leah’s, and then the tents of the two servant wives—but he found nothing. Finally, he went into Rachel’s tent. English Standard Version So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent and into the tent of the two female servants, but he did not find them. And he went out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s. Berean Standard Bible So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, then Leah’s tent, and then the tents of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. Then he left Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. Berean Literal Bible And Laban went into the tent of Jacob, and into the tent of Leah, and into the tent of the two maidservants, and he did not find anything. And he went out of the tent of Leah and entered into the tent of Rachel. King James Bible And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent. New King James Version And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the two maids’ tents, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. New American Standard Bible So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the tent of the two slave women, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. NASB 1995 So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent and into the tent of the two maids, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. NASB 1977 So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the tent of the two maids, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. Legacy Standard Bible So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent and into the tent of the two maidservants, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. Amplified Bible So Laban went into Jacob’s tent and into Leah’s tent and the tent of the two maids, but he did not find them. Then he came out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. Berean Annotated Bible So Laban (white) went into Jacob’s (he grasps the heel) tent, then Leah’s (weary) tent, and then the tents of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. Then he left Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s (little lamb) tent. Christian Standard Bible So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, Leah’s tent, and the tents of the two concubines, but he found nothing. When he left Leah’s tent, he went into Rachel’s tent. Holman Christian Standard Bible So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, then Leah’s tent, and then the tents of the two female slaves, but he found nothing. Then he left Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s. American Standard Version And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the tent of the two maid-servants; but he found them not. And he went out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent. Contemporary English Version Laban searched the tents of Jacob, Leah, and the two servant women, but did not find the idols. Then he went to Rachel's tent. English Revised Version And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the tent of the two maidservants; but he found them not. And he went out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent. GOD'S WORD® Translation So Laban went into Jacob's tent, into Leah's tent, and into the tent of the two slaves. But he found nothing. He came out of Leah's tent and went into Rachel's tent. Good News Translation Laban went and searched Jacob's tent; then he went into Leah's tent, and the tent of the two slave women, but he did not find his gods. Then he went into Rachel's tent. International Standard Version So Laban entered Jacob's tent, Leah's tent, and the tents of the two maid servants, but he didn't find them. Then he left Leah's tent and entered Rachel's tent. NET Bible So Laban entered Jacob's tent, and Leah's tent, and the tent of the two female servants, but he did not find the idols. Then he left Leah's tent and entered Rachel's. New Heart English Bible Laban went into Jacob's tent, into Leah's tent, and into the tent of the two female servants; but he did not find them. He went out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent. Webster's Bible Translation And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maid-servants' tents; but he found them not. Then he went out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo Laban went into Jacob’s tent, then Leah’s tent, and then the tents of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. Then he left Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. World English Bible Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the tent of the two female servants; but he didn’t find them. He went out of Leah’s tent, and entered into Rachel’s tent. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Laban goes into the tent of Jacob, and into the tent of Leah, and into the tent of the two handmaidens, and has not found; and he goes out from the tent of Leah, and goes into the tent of Rachel. Berean Literal Bible And Laban went into the tent of Jacob, and into the tent of Leah, and into the tent of the two maidservants, and he did not find anything. And he went out of the tent of Leah and entered into the tent of Rachel. Young's Literal Translation And Laban goeth into the tent of Jacob, and into the tent of Leah, and into the tent of the two handmaidens, and hath not found; and he goeth out from the tent of Leah, and goeth into the tent of Rachel. Smith's Literal Translation And Laban will go into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the tent of the two maids, and he found them not And he will go out from the tent of Leah and will go into Rachel's tent. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSo Laban went into the tent of Jacob, and of Lia, and of both the handmaids, and found them not. And when he was entered into Rachel's tent, Catholic Public Domain Version And so Laban, entering the tent of Jacob, and of Leah, and of both the handmaids, did not find them. And when he had entered the tent of Rachel, New American Bible Laban then went in and searched Jacob’s tent and Leah’s tent, as well as the tents of the two maidservants; but he did not find them. Leaving Leah’s tent, he went into Rachel’s. New Revised Standard Version So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, and into Leah’s tent, and into the tent of the two maids, but he did not find them. And he went out of Leah’s tent, and entered Rachel’s. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Laban went into Jacob's tent and into Leah's tent and into the tent of the two maidservants; but he did not find the gods. So he went out of Leah's tent into Rachel's tent. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Laban entered the tent of Yaquuv and the tent of Leah and the second tent of the Maidservants and he did not find them, and he went out from the tent of Leah and entered the tent of Rakhyl. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the tent of the two maid-servants; but he found them not. And he went out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Laban went in and searched in the house of Lea, and found them not; and he went out of the house of Lea, and searched in the house of Jacob, and in the house of the two maid-servants, and found them not; and he went also into the house of Rachel. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Laban Pursues Jacob…32If you find your gods with anyone here, he shall not live! In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself if anything is yours, and take it back.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols. 33So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, then Leah’s tent, and then the tents of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. Then he left Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. 34Now Rachel had taken Laban’s household idols, put them in the saddlebag of her camel, and was sitting on them. And Laban searched everything in the tent but found nothing.… Cross References So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, Joshua 7:22-23 So Joshua sent messengers who ran to the tent, and there it all was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath. / They took the things from inside the tent, brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites, and spread them out before the LORD. 1 Samuel 10:20-22 Thus Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward, and the tribe of Benjamin was selected. / Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans, and the clan of Matri was selected. Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected. But when they looked for him, they could not find him. / So again they inquired of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD replied, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” then Leah’s tent, Genesis 29:23-30 But when evening came, Laban took his daughter Leah and gave her to Jacob, and he slept with her. / And Laban gave his servant girl Zilpah to his daughter Leah as her maidservant. / When morning came, there was Leah! “What have you done to me?” Jacob said to Laban. “Wasn’t it for Rachel that I served you? Why have you deceived me?” … Genesis 29:31-35 When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. / And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.” / Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son as well.” So she named him Simeon. … Genesis 30:14-18 Now during the wheat harvest, Reuben went out and found some mandrakes in the field. When he brought them to his mother, Rachel begged Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.” / But Leah replied, “Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband? Now you want to take my son’s mandrakes as well?” “Very well,” said Rachel, “he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” / When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night. … and then the tents of the two maidservants, Genesis 30:3-5 Then she said, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Sleep with her, that she may bear children for me, so that through her I too can build a family.” / So Rachel gave Jacob her servant Bilhah as a wife, and he slept with her, / and Bilhah conceived and bore him a son. Genesis 30:9-13 When Leah saw that she had stopped having children, she gave her servant Zilpah to Jacob as a wife. / And Leah’s servant Zilpah bore Jacob a son. / Then Leah said, “How fortunate!” So she named him Gad. … Genesis 16:1-4 Now Abram’s wife Sarai had borne him no children, but she had an Egyptian maidservant named Hagar. / So Sarai said to Abram, “Look now, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go to my maidservant; perhaps I can build a family by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai. / So after he had lived in Canaan for ten years, his wife Sarai took her Egyptian maidservant Hagar and gave her to Abram to be his wife. … but he found nothing. Luke 23:4 Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” Daniel 6:4 Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. Psalm 17:3 You have tried my heart; You have visited me in the night. You have tested me and found no evil; I have resolved not to sin with my mouth. Then he left Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. Genesis 30:22-24 Then God remembered Rachel. He listened to her and opened her womb, / and she conceived and gave birth to a son. “God has taken away my shame,” she said. / She named him Joseph, and said, “May the LORD add to me another son.” Genesis 29:28-30 And Jacob did just that. He finished the week’s celebration, and Laban gave him his daughter Rachel as his wife. / Laban also gave his servant girl Bilhah to his daughter Rachel as her maidservant. / Jacob slept with Rachel as well, and indeed, he loved Rachel more than Leah. So he worked for Laban another seven years. Genesis 35:16-20 Later, they set out from Bethel, and while they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult. / During her severe labor, the midwife said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you are having another son.” / And with her last breath—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni. But his father called him Benjamin. … Genesis 31:19 Now while Laban was out shearing his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household idols. Genesis 31:30 Now you have gone off because you long for your father’s house. But why have you stolen my gods?” Treasury of Scripture And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent. Leah's. Genesis 24:28,67 And the damsel ran, and told them of her mother's house these things… Jump to Previous Entered Female Find Found Handmaidens Handmaids Jacob Jacob's Laban Maids Maidservants Maid-Servants Rachel Rachel's Servants Servant-Women Tent TentsJump to Next Entered Female Find Found Handmaidens Handmaids Jacob Jacob's Laban Maids Maidservants Maid-Servants Rachel Rachel's Servants Servant-Women Tent TentsGenesis 31 1. Jacob, displeased with the envy of Laban and his sons, departs secretly.19. Rachel steals her father's household gods. 22. Laban pursues after him, and complains of the wrong. 34. Rachel's plan to hide the images. 36. Jacob's complaint of Laban. 43. The covenant of Laban and Jacob at Galeed. So Laban went into Jacob’s tent Laban's search of Jacob's tent signifies a deep mistrust and suspicion. This action reflects the strained relationship between Laban and Jacob, which had been building over years of deceit and manipulation. Laban's intrusion into Jacob's personal space can be seen as an invasion of privacy, highlighting the lack of respect and trust. This moment is a culmination of the tension that had been growing since Jacob's arrival in Paddan Aram. then Leah’s tent and then the tents of the two maidservants but he found nothing Then he left Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent Persons / Places / Events 1. LabanLaban is the father of Leah and Rachel and the uncle and father-in-law of Jacob. He is known for his cunning and manipulative behavior, particularly in his dealings with Jacob. 2. Jacob Jacob is the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the grandson of Abraham. He is married to Leah and Rachel and is the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. 3. Leah Leah is the elder daughter of Laban and the first wife of Jacob. She is the mother of six of Jacob's sons, who become leaders of the tribes of Israel. 4. Rachel Rachel is the younger daughter of Laban and the favored wife of Jacob. She is the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. 5. The Tents The tents represent the personal and private spaces of Jacob's family. Laban's search through the tents symbolizes his distrust and the tension between him and Jacob. Teaching Points Integrity in RelationshipsThe account highlights the importance of honesty and integrity in family and personal relationships. Deception can lead to mistrust and conflict. Consequences of Deception Rachel's theft and the subsequent search by Laban illustrate how deceit can lead to tension and potential harm within families. God's Sovereignty Despite human failings and deceit, God's plan continues to unfold. Jacob's journey is part of a larger divine account. Trust in God's Provision Jacob's life demonstrates the importance of trusting in God's provision and timing, even when faced with challenges and deceit. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 31:33?2. Why did Laban search Jacob's tents in Genesis 31:33? 3. How does Genesis 31:33 illustrate God's protection over Jacob? 4. What can we learn about trust from Laban's actions in Genesis 31:33? 5. How should Christians respond when falsely accused, as seen in Genesis 31:33? 6. How does Genesis 31:33 connect to God's promises to Jacob in Genesis 28:15? 7. Why did Laban search Jacob's tents in Genesis 31:33? 8. What does Genesis 31:33 reveal about trust and deception in family relationships? 9. How does Genesis 31:33 reflect the cultural practices of the time? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 31? 11. Why is there no mention of repercussions or pursuit from Laban, despite prior tensions, when Jacob meets Esau in Genesis 33? 12. How did Jacob's life unfold in biblical narratives? 13. In Genesis 31:24, why would God communicate with Laban if Laban worshipped other gods, and how does this align with other biblical passages about idolatry? 14. Genesis 29:23-25: Is it believable that Jacob could be deceived into marrying Leah instead of Rachel without noticing? What Does Genesis 31:33 Mean So Laban went into Jacob’s tent• Laban’s search begins with Jacob, the family head, reflecting his suspicion that Jacob orchestrated the theft (compare 1 Samuel 26:17–20, where Saul searches for David). • Jacob has already declared, “With whomever you find your gods, he shall not live” (Genesis 31:32). Thus, this inspection underscores Jacob’s confidence in his innocence, reminiscent of Job’s willingness to be tested (Job 31:5–6). • The scene reminds us that God sees every hidden act (Psalm 139:1–4). Even though Laban rifles through belongings, the true Judge is the Lord, who will vindicate the righteous in His time (Genesis 31:42). then Leah’s tent • Moving to Leah’s quarters shows Laban’s thoroughness. Leah, though unloved (Genesis 29:31), is still under God’s watchful care. • The unfolding tension highlights familial mistrust—echoing earlier family fractures, like Isaac’s suspicions when blessing Jacob (Genesis 27:18–24). • God permits this intrusion but will ultimately turn it for good, revealing once more His protective hand over the covenant family (Romans 8:28). and then the tents of the two maidservants • Laban’s search extends to Bilhah and Zilpah, illustrating that sin’s suspicion spreads widely (Joshua 7:14–18 records a similar household-wide investigation after Achan’s sin). • These maidservants, given as wives (Genesis 30:3, 9), emphasize how complicated human schemes can become, yet God still advances His promise through imperfect people (Hebrews 11:8–12). • The inclusion of every tent underscores that nothing escapes examination—anticipating God’s ultimate judgment when “each one’s work will become evident” (1 Corinthians 3:13). but he found nothing • Laban’s empty hands expose both his false accusation and God’s providence in concealing the idols with Rachel (Psalm 91:3–4). • Just as Pharaoh found no fault in Joseph (Genesis 41:38–40), Laban’s failure prepares the way for Jacob’s defense (Genesis 31:36–42). • The outcome prefigures the vindication believers have in Christ, who “committed no sin” yet was scrutinized (1 Peter 2:22–23). Then he left Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent • The narrative focuses now on Rachel, highlighting dramatic irony: the reader knows she has the idols (Genesis 31:19). • Rachel’s possession of household gods shows lingering idolatry amid covenant people, foreshadowing Israel’s later struggles (Joshua 24:23). • God allows the tension to rise to display His sovereign oversight; He will expose and purge idolatry in His timing (Genesis 35:2). • In contrast to human searches, the Lord’s gaze penetrates hearts (Jeremiah 17:10), reminding us that external inspections cannot substitute for inward obedience. summary Genesis 31:33 portrays a meticulous yet futile search that underscores God’s protection of His covenant family, the futility of human suspicion when God shields His own, and the lingering presence of idolatry even among the chosen. Laban inspects every tent, but divine providence thwarts his accusations, setting the stage for Jacob’s vindication and highlighting the need for wholehearted trust in the Lord who sees and judges all. Verse 33. - And Laban went into Jacob's taut, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maid-servants' tents; - the clause affords an interesting glimpse into the manners of the times, showing that not only husbands and wives, but also wives among themselves, possessed separate establishments) - but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent (he probably commenced with Jacob's and those of the hand-maids, and afterwards passed into Leah's), and entered into Rachel's tent - last, because she was the favorite. Cf. Genesis 33:2, in which a similar partiality towards Rachel is exhibited by Jacob (vide Thomson's 'Land and Book,' 1. 370).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew So Labanלָבָ֜ן (lā·ḇān) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3837: Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob went וַיָּבֹ֨א (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go into Jacob’s יַעֲקֹ֣ב ׀ (ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc tent, בְּאֹ֥הֶל (bə·’ō·hel) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 168: A tent then Leah’s לֵאָ֗ה (lê·’āh) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3812: Leah -- 'weary', a wife of Jacob tent, וּבְאֹ֣הֶל (ū·ḇə·’ō·hel) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 168: A tent and then the tents וּבְאֹ֛הֶל (ū·ḇə·’ō·hel) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 168: A tent of the two שְׁתֵּ֥י (šə·tê) Number - fdc Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number) maidservants, הָאֲמָהֹ֖ת (hā·’ă·mā·hōṯ) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 519: A maidservant, female slave but he found מָצָ֑א (mā·ṣā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present nothing. וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no Then he left וַיֵּצֵא֙ (way·yê·ṣê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim Leah’s לֵאָ֔ה (lê·’āh) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3812: Leah -- 'weary', a wife of Jacob tent מֵאֹ֣הֶל (mê·’ō·hel) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 168: A tent and entered וַיָּבֹ֖א (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go Rachel’s רָחֵֽל׃ (rā·ḥêl) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 7354: Rachel -- a wife of Jacob tent. בְּאֹ֥הֶל (bə·’ō·hel) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 168: A tent Links Genesis 31:33 NIVGenesis 31:33 NLT Genesis 31:33 ESV Genesis 31:33 NASB Genesis 31:33 KJV Genesis 31:33 BibleApps.com Genesis 31:33 Biblia Paralela Genesis 31:33 Chinese Bible Genesis 31:33 French Bible Genesis 31:33 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 31:33 Laban went into Jacob's tent into Leah's (Gen. 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