בראשית, פרק ל״א, פסוק כ״ה

A tense pursuit reaches its climax as two camps position themselves across the mountainous terrain for a direct confrontation. Laban finally overtakes Jacob, closing the distance for a physical, face-to-face encounter that occurs either in the morning or right at the mountain's peak [העמק דבר, ביאור יש״ר, מלבי״ם].

In response to this arrival, Jacob stops to rest and pitches his tent. By setting up camp exactly where he is overtaken, Jacob signals that he has stopped running. He chooses to stand his ground and face his pursuer with confidence [רד״ק]. The act of pitching his tent involves firmly tying and securing it to the ground [חזקוני]. Another perspective suggests that Jacob sets up his tent specifically to separate himself from his family and camp, preparing to step forward and meet Laban alone [מלבי״ם].

The two men find themselves in the same general area of Mount Gilead. While Jacob's exact location is described simply as the mountain, it is understood that both are camped on Mount Gilead [שד״ל, בכור שור, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, some suggest a slight distinction in their positions, proposing that Jacob camps somewhere along the mountain ridge, while Laban stations himself on the specific peak known as Gilead [רש ר הירש].

Laban's setup on the mountain presents an interesting scenario as he positions his relatives alongside him. The primary approach among commentators is that Laban also pitches his tent, setting up camp together with his brothers or sons [רלב״ג], leaving the two camps directly facing one another. Other interpretations suggest he simply stations his men in their positions without setting up a formal camp [רד״ק, שד״ל]. It is also possible that Laban and his men, having rushed forward like warriors in pursuit, do not bring tents at all, and are simply taking a physical stand in the field [העמק דבר, ברכת אשר].

As they prepare to meet, Laban might be leaving his relatives behind to approach Jacob by himself, acting out of caution after receiving a warning from God not to cause any harm [מלבי״ם]. A unique Midrashic tradition offers a completely different picture of Laban's arrival, suggesting that his companions are actually a pack of hunting dogs, and he blows a horn to gather them together in the manner of a hunter [שפתי כהן].