Definition: And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sisterâs son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Genesis 29:13. It’s a really significant story about God’s relationship with humanity and how He chose to introduce Jacob into his plan. Here’s the explanation in simple terms: Basically, it says: God was watching over Jacob (who was a young man) and he heard about him. Jacob, feeling a bit lonely, ran to meet him and embraced him. Then, he told Laban, the owner of a vineyard, everything that happened. Let’s unpack it a little more: “And it came to pass…” : This is just a way of saying "and this happened." It's a regular occurrence in the Bible – things happen! “…when Laban heard…” : Laban was a man who owned a vineyard. He was a bit grumpy and didn’t like Jacob. "...that he ran to meet him..." : He made a huge effort to see Jacob. "...and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house." : This is the core of the story. He physically showed Jacob affection – he embraced him and even kissed him. "And he told Laban all these things.” : Laban heard everything that happened and started to tell it to his servants. What’s the big deal? This story is considered one of the earliest examples of God actively intervening in human affairs. It shows that God wasn't just watching from afar, but was actively involved in shaping events. It highlights God's love and desire for a relationship with humanity. In essence, it’s a narrative about God’s care for Jacob and his willingness to be involved in his life. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the significance of this story within the larger context of Genesis?