clear he went with his blessing, and had his good wishes for a prosperous journey: and he went to Padanaram; which from Beersheba, according to some (h), was four hundred and eighty miles: unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian; some versions make Laban to be the Syrian, others Bethuel; it is a matter of no great moment which is here so called, since they were both called Syrians, see Gen 25:20 , the brother of Rebekah; this refers to Laban, for Bethuel was her father: Jacob's and Esau's mother; Jacob is set first, not only as being most beloved by his mother, but as now having the birthright and the blessing. (h) Bunting's Travels, p. 72.