Genesis 31:36

ยถ And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What [is] my trespass? what [is] my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?

And Jacob {H3290} was wroth {H2734}, and chode {H7378} with Laban {H3837}: and Jacob {H3290} answered {H6030} and said {H559} to Laban {H3837}, What is my trespass {H6588}? what is my sin {H2403}, that thou hast so hotly pursued {H1814} after me {H310}?

Then Ya'akov became angry and started arguing with Lavan. "What have I done wrong?" he demanded. "What is my offense, that you have come after me in hot pursuit?

Then Jacob became incensed and challenged Laban. โ€œWhat is my crime?โ€ he said. โ€œFor what sin of mine have you so hotly pursued me?

And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast hotly pursued after me?

Commentary

Commentary on Genesis 31:36 (KJV)

Genesis 31:36 captures a pivotal moment of confrontation between Jacob and Laban, highlighting the culmination of years of tension and Jacob's righteous indignation. After Laban's intense, albeit fruitless, search for his stolen household gods (teraphim) among Jacob's possessions, Jacob finally unleashes his pent-up frustration.

Context

This verse follows Jacob's secret departure from Laban's household after twenty years of arduous service under Laban, during which he felt exploited and deceived. Laban pursued him for seven days, finally catching up in the mount Gilead. Laban's primary grievance was Jacob's stealthy departure and the theft of his teraphim, which Rachel, unbeknownst to Jacob, had taken (Genesis 31:19). Before their face-to-face meeting, God had intervened, warning Laban not to harm Jacob (Genesis 31:24). Once the search for the teraphim proved futile, Jacob, having endured Laban's accusations and intrusive search, turns the tables, boldly demanding an explanation for Laban's aggressive pursuit.

Key Themes

  • Righteous Indignation: Jacob's "wroth" (anger) is not a sinful outburst but a justified response to years of mistreatment, false accusations, and a humiliating search. It marks a moment where Jacob stands up for himself and his family.
  • Integrity and Innocence: Jacob's challenge, "What is my trespass? what is my sin?", asserts his blamelessness concerning Laban's accusations of theft and wrongdoing. He demands to know what offense warrants such a hot pursuit.
  • Defense Against False Accusation: The verse showcases the importance of defending one's character when unjustly accused. Jacob's direct questions put Laban on the defensive, forcing him to confront his own motivations and lack of evidence.
  • Divine Protection: Underlying Jacob's boldness is the implicit understanding of God's hand protecting him. This confidence allows him to confront Laban without fear.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Wroth" (Hebrew: ื—ึธืจึธื”, charah): This term implies a burning anger or indignation, often used in the Old Testament to describe intense displeasure, sometimes even God's wrath. Here, it signifies Jacob's deep-seated resentment boiling over.
  • "Chode" (Hebrew: ืจึดื™ื‘, riv): Meaning to contend, strive, or quarrel, it describes a legal or verbal dispute. Jacob is engaging Laban in a heated argument, challenging his actions and demanding justice.
  • "Trespass" (ืคึถึผืฉึทืืข, pesha') / "Sin" (ื—ึทื˜ึธึผืึธื”, chatta'ah): These two terms cover a range of offenses. Pesha' often refers to rebellion or transgression, a deliberate breaking of a covenant or agreement. Chatta'ah is a more general term for missing the mark, an error, or a moral failing. Jacob uses both to emphasize his complete innocence of any wrongdoing that would justify Laban's hostile pursuit.

Practical Application

This passage offers valuable lessons for contemporary life:

  • Standing Up for Yourself: There are times when righteous anger is appropriate, especially when one's integrity is falsely impugned. Jacob's example shows the importance of defending oneself when innocent, but doing so with a clear conscience.
  • Dealing with Accusations: When faced with baseless accusations, it is often best to address them directly and demand evidence, rather than silently suffering.
  • Trusting God's Vindication: Jacob's ability to confront Laban stemmed from his faith in God's protection and justice. We can trust that God will ultimately vindicate those who walk in integrity.
  • The Dangers of Suspicion: Laban's pursuit was fueled by suspicion and a desire to control. The narrative warns against acting on assumptions without clear evidence.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ephesians 4:26

    Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

  • Genesis 49:7

    Cursed [be] their anger, for [it was] fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel.

  • 2 Kings 5:11

    But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.

  • 2 Kings 13:19

    And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed [it]: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria [but] thrice.

  • James 1:19

    ยถ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

  • James 1:20

    For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

  • Numbers 16:15

    And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
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