Genesis 31:26

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives [taken] with the sword?

Complete Jewish Bible:

Lavan said to Ya'akov, "What do you mean by deceiving me and carrying off my daughters as if they were captives taken in war?

Berean Standard Bible:

Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You have deceived me and carried off my daughters like captives of war!

American Standard Version:

And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters as captives of the sword?

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Laban^{H3837} said^{H559} to Jacob^{H3290}, What hast thou done^{H6213}, that thou hast stolen away^{H1589} unawares^{H3824} to me, and carried away^{H5090} my daughters^{H1323}, as captives^{H7617} taken with the sword^{H2719}?

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 31:26

1. **Themes**:
- **Deception and Trust**: Laban's accusation to Jacob highlights the theme of deception, as Jacob left without informing Laban, his father-in-law. This act reflects the breakdown of trust between them.
- **Family and Relationships**: The verse underscores the complexities of family relationships, especially when it comes to marriage and the autonomy of family members.
- **Theft and Justice**: Laban's words suggest a sense of injustice and violation of his rights as a father and a property owner, raising questions about what is owed within familial relationships.

2. **Historical Context**:
- **Patriarchal Society**: The narrative reflects the patriarchal structure of ancient Near Eastern societies, where women were often considered under the authority of their fathers or husbands.
- **Nomadic Lifestyle**: The characters are part of a nomadic or semi-nomadic society, where livestock is central to wealth and status, and moving flocks to better pastures is a common practice.
- **Covenant Relationships**: The tension between Laban and Jacob also illustrates the importance of covenants in the ancient world, as they had previously made agreements regarding wages and marriage, which are now in question.
- **Divine Intervention**: In the broader narrative, Jacob's departure and subsequent encounters with Laban are influenced by divine promises and interactions, reflecting the belief in a deity involved in human affairs.

In Genesis 31:26, Laban confronts Jacob about leaving secretly with his daughters, Leah and Rachel, whom Jacob had married. This event occurs after Jacob has worked for Laban for many years, during which Laban had changed Jacob's wages ten times (Genesis 31:7). Jacob, having been directed by God to return to his native land, leaves with his family and possessions without informing Laban. The tension between the two men is a culmination of years of perceived injustices and serves as a pivotal moment leading to their eventual negotiation and covenant of peace.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3837
   There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָבָן
   Transliteration: Lâbân
   Pronunciation: law-bawn'
   Description: the same as לָבָן; Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert; Laban.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3290
   There are 319 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יַעֲקֹב
   Transliteration: Yaʻăqôb
   Pronunciation: yah-ak-obe'
   Description: from עָקַב; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch; Jacob.
   
4. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1589
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּנַב
   Transliteration: gânab
   Pronunciation: gaw-nab'
   Description: a primitive root; to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive; carry away, [idiom] indeed, secretly bring, steal (away), get by stealth.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3824
   There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵבָב
   Transliteration: lêbâb
   Pronunciation: lay-bawb'
   Description: from לָבַב; used also like לֵב; the heart (as the most interior organ); [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5090
   There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָהַג
   Transliteration: nâhag
   Pronunciation: naw-hag'
   Description: a primitive root; to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), i.e. lead, carry away; reflexively, to proceed (i.e. impel or guide oneself); also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh; acquaint, bring (away), carry away, drive (away), lead (away, forth), (be) guide, lead (away, forth).
   
8. Strong's Number: H1323
   There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּת
   Transliteration: bath
   Pronunciation: bath
   Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village.
   
9. Strong's Number: H7617
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁבָה
   Transliteration: shâbâh
   Pronunciation: shaw-baw'
   Description: a primitive root; to transport into captivity; (bring away, carry, carry away, lead, lead away, take) captive(-s), drive (take) away.
   
10. Strong's Number: H2719
    There are 372 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חֶרֶב
    Transliteration: chereb
    Pronunciation: kheh'-reb
    Description: from חָרַב; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement; axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool.