The answer is: Esau wanted to kill him

Gen 27:41-44

Jacob’s flight to Laban not only represents a strategic escape but sets the stage for rich storytelling that resonates throughout the chapters of Genesis. Imagine the intense family drama: Jacob has just swindled his brother Esau out of his birthright and blessing. This wasn’t just a sibling rivalry; it was deeply rooted in cultural and personal expectations of inheritance and family honor. In Genesis 27:41, Esau, furious about the betrayal, vows to kill Jacob, pushing him to flee.

But that escape leads Jacob to a critical rendezvous with Laban in Haran, which proves to be full of its own trials and lessons. Over the years spent there, Jacob learns integrity, resourcefulness, and, notably, the value of relationships, particularly as he begins an intricate web of family dynamics. It's also worthy of noting that Laban embodies the complexities of human nature—sometimes cunning, at times endearing Jewish tradition holds Laban's home with significant developments linked to God's covenant.

Interestingly, Jacob’s dream of the ladder reaching to heaven while en route showcases divine assurances; it’s almost like a divine highway sign, signaling that there’s more going on than meets the eye. This journey ties into broader themes of struggle, pilgrimage, and transformation, echoing through generations. Jacob ultimately returns a changed man, not merely in wealth but founded anew in family, forgiveness, and faith, further enriching his destiny intertwined with that of his descendants.