Genesis 31:37

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set [it] here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.

Complete Jewish Bible:

You have felt around in all my stuff, but what have you found of all your household goods? Put it here, in front of my kinsmen and yours, so that they can render judgment between the two of us!

Berean Standard Bible:

You have searched all my goods! Have you found anything that belongs to you? Put it here before my brothers and yours, that they may judge between the two of us.

American Standard Version:

Whereas thou hast felt about all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? Set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us two.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Whereas^{H3588} thou hast searched^{H4959} all my stuff^{H3627}, what hast thou found^{H4672} of all thy household^{H1004} stuff^{H3627}? set^{H7760} it here^{H3541} before my brethren^{H251} and thy brethren^{H251}, that they may judge^{H3198} betwixt^{H996} us both^{H8147}.

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Commentary for Genesis 31:37

Genesis 31:37 is a part of the narrative involving Jacob, his uncle Laban, and their families. The verse captures a moment of tension and accusation as Jacob defends himself against Laban's charge of theft. In the broader context, Jacob has been working for Laban, tending his flocks, and has grown wealthy. However, Jacob believes that Laban has not dealt with him fairly and decides to leave with his family and possessions to return to his native land.

In this verse, Jacob challenges Laban to present any evidence of theft from among Jacob's possessions. He calls for a judgment to be made in the presence of both their relatives, suggesting a formal arbitration process. This reflects the ancient custom of settling disputes within the family or clan, rather than through external legal systems. The themes present in this verse include family dynamics, the importance of personal integrity, and the pursuit of justice through community discernment.

Historically, this passage reflects the nomadic and pastoral lifestyle of the time, where wealth was often measured in livestock and the ability to increase one's flocks was a sign of divine favor. The verse also highlights the complex interpersonal relationships that could arise within extended family structures, particularly when it came to matters of inheritance and property rights. Jacob's appeal to a familial court underscores the significance of maintaining honor and reputation within the community, which were crucial social currencies in the ancient Near East.

*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: H3588
   There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כִּי
   Transliteration: kîy
   Pronunciation: kee
   Description: a primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed; and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4959
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָשַׁשׁ
   Transliteration: mâshash
   Pronunciation: maw-shash'
   Description: a primitive root; to feel of; by implication, to grope; feel, grope, search.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3627
   There are 276 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כְּלִי
   Transliteration: kᵉlîy
   Pronunciation: kel-ee'
   Description: from כָּלָה; something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon); armour(-bearer), artillery, bag, carriage, [phrase] furnish, furniture, instrument, jewel, that is made of, [idiom] one from another, that which pertaineth, pot, [phrase] psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool, vessel, ware, weapon, [phrase] whatsoever.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4672
   There are 425 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָצָא
   Transliteration: mâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: maw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to come forth to, i.e. appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e. find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present; [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1004
   There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּיִת
   Transliteration: bayith
   Pronunciation: bah'-yith
   Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).
   
6. Strong's Number: H7760
   There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׂוּם
   Transliteration: sûwm
   Pronunciation: soom
   Description: or שִׂים; a primitive root; to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3541
   There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כֹּה
   Transliteration: kôh
   Pronunciation: ko
   Description: from the prefix k and הוּא; properly, like this, i.e. by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now; also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while, yonder.
   
8. Strong's Number: H251
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָח
   Transliteration: ʼâch
   Pronunciation: awkh
   Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3198
   There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָכַח
   Transliteration: yâkach
   Pronunciation: yaw-kahh'
   Description: a primitive root; to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict; appoint, argue, chasten, convince, correct(-ion), daysman, dispute, judge, maintain, plead, reason (together), rebuke, reprove(-r), surely, in any wise.
   
10. Strong's Number: H996
    There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בֵּין
    Transliteration: bêyn
    Pronunciation: bane
    Description: (sometimes in the plural masculine or feminine); properly, the constructive form of an otherwise unused noun from בִּין; a distinction; but used only as a preposition,; between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or; among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), [phrase] from (the widest), [idiom] in, out of, whether (it be...or), within.
    
11. Strong's Number: H8147
    There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
    Transliteration: shᵉnayim
    Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
    Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two.