“It was told to Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled” (Genesis 31:22). “He took his brethren with him, and pursued him a distance of seven days; he reached him in the highlands of Gilad” (Genesis 31:23). “It was told to Laban on the third day” – Rabbi Abbahu said: What Jacob went in three days, Laban went in one day. “It was told to Laban on the third day” – the third day after the flight.
Rabbi Ḥiyya Rabba said: What Jacob traversed in seven days, Laban traversed in one day. Whichever way you look at it, whether you agree or do not agree, it is already written: “He placed a distance of three days’ journey between himself and Jacob” (Genesis 30:36), and it is written: “It was told to Laban on the third day” – the third day after the flight, as it is stated: “He took his brethren with him, and pursued him a distance of seven days” – on that same day. That is, what Jacob traversed in seven days, Laban traversed in one day.