Genesis 31:43

KJV

¶ And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, [These] daughters [are] my daughters, and [these] children [are] my children, and [these] cattle [are] my cattle, and all that thou seest [is] mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?

KJV (with Strong's)

And Laban {H3837} answered {H6030} and said {H559} unto Jacob {H3290}, These daughters {H1323} are my daughters {H1323}, and these children {H1121} are my children {H1121}, and these cattle {H6629} are my cattle {H6629}, and all that thou seest {H7200} is mine: and what can I do {H6213} this day {H3117} unto these my daughters {H1323}, or {H176} unto their children {H1121} which they have born {H3205}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Lavan answered Ya'akov, "The daughters are mine, the children are mine, the flocks are mine, and everything you see is mine! But what can I do today about these daughters of mine or the children they have borne?

Berean Standard Bible

But Laban answered Jacob, “These daughters are my daughters, these sons are my sons, and these flocks are my flocks! Everything you see is mine! Yet what can I do today about these daughters of mine or the children they have borne?

American Standard Version

And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, The daughters are my daughters, and the children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children whom they have borne?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
[Genesis 31:43](/genesis/31-43 "Laban's Assertion of Ownership") records Laban's final, somewhat resigned, assertion of ownership over Jacob's family and possessions, even as he acknowledges his inability to reclaim them. This verse marks a critical turning point in the strained relationship between Jacob and his father-in-law, setting the stage for their eventual covenant and formal separation.

### CONTEXT
This verse comes at a pivotal moment after Jacob, having served Laban for twenty years and endured his deceitful practices, secretly departed with his wives (Laban's daughters, Leah and Rachel), his children, and all his accumulated wealth. Laban, enraged by Jacob's departure and the perceived theft of his household gods (teraphim), pursued Jacob for seven days. Their confrontation began with Jacob defending himself against Laban's accusations. Laban's words in this verse reveal his underlying possessive motive for the pursuit: reclaiming what he still considers his own. Crucially, Laban was divinely warned not to harm Jacob in [Genesis 31:24](/genesis/31-24 "God's warning to Laban"), which significantly influenced his subdued tone and ultimate inability to act aggressively here.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
The KJV text of [Genesis 31:43](/genesis/31-43 "Laban's Claim"): "¶ And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, [These] daughters [are] my daughters, and [these] children [are] my children, and [these] cattle [are] my cattle, and all that thou seest [is] mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?"

Laban's declaration in [Genesis 31:43](/genesis/31-43 "Laban's Assertion") is a powerful, yet ultimately impotent, expression of his possessive nature. The strong emphasis on the pronoun "**my**" (Hebrew: *li*) repeated five times – "**my daughters**," "**my children**," "**my cattle**," "**all that thou seest is mine**" – powerfully conveys his self-centered attitude. This repetition underscores his worldview that everything Jacob had acquired was, by extension, still under Laban's dominion. Despite Jacob's faithful service and God's clear blessing on Jacob's endeavors, Laban clings to the notion that all of Jacob's prosperity rightfully belongs to him.

However, Laban's rhetorical question, "what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?" (Hebrew: *mah e'eseh hayyom*), reveals his forced resignation. This is not a question born of genuine concern for his daughters' welfare, but rather an expression of frustration and a lack of viable options. He is constrained by the divine warning he received in [Genesis 31:24](/genesis/31-24 "God's warning to Laban") not to harm Jacob, and by the reality that Jacob has established his independence and is now beyond Laban's direct control. This verse sets the immediate stage for the [covenant of non-aggression](/genesis/31-44 "The Covenant Between Laban and Jacob") that Laban and Jacob subsequently make at Galeed/Mizpah, marking a formal separation and the end of their contentious relationship, which had been characterized by Laban's deceit, as seen in [Genesis 31:7](/genesis/31-7 "Laban Changing Jacob's Wages").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Possessiveness and Greed:** Laban's repeated declaration highlights his deep-seated covetousness and inability to let go of what he perceives as belonging to him, despite God's clear blessing on Jacob's endeavors. This serves as a biblical warning against the dangers of unchecked material desire.
* **Waning Authority and Resignation:** Though Laban asserts his claim, his rhetorical question signifies his reluctant acceptance of a lost cause. He has been restrained by divine intervention and the reality of Jacob's established independence, leading to a grudging concession. This demonstrates God's power to limit human will.
* **God's Protection and Sovereignty:** Implicitly, this verse underscores God's unwavering protection over Jacob and his growing family. Laban's inability to act on his possessive desires is a testament to the Lord's hand preserving His chosen one and guiding Jacob's path toward the Promised Land, fulfilling His covenant promises.
* **Divine Justice and Retribution:** While not directly stated, Laban's frustrated impotence can be seen as a form of divine justice for his years of exploiting Jacob, where God turned Laban's schemes against him for Jacob's benefit.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This account offers valuable lessons for navigating complex human relationships, especially those marked by control or exploitation. Laban's struggle to release his grip on Jacob's family and wealth serves as a reminder of the dangers of covetousness and the importance of learning to let go of what is not ours, or what God has moved us on from. Jacob's eventual physical separation highlights the importance of establishing clear and healthy boundaries to protect oneself and one's family from manipulative or exploitative dynamics. Ultimately, even in the midst of challenging human conflicts and disputes over possessions, this narrative encourages us to trust in God's sovereign hand, knowing that He is at work, protecting His people and guiding their paths according to His divine purpose.

### FAQ
**Why does Laban still claim ownership despite Jacob's departure?**

Answer: Laban's claims stem from his deep-seated covetousness and a patriarchal worldview where his daughters, their children, and all acquired wealth while in his household were considered his property. His repeated declarations of "my" reflect an inability to acknowledge Jacob's independent prosperity or God's blessing on Jacob, viewing everything through the lens of his own dominion.

**What does Laban mean by "what can I do this day"?**

Answer: This rhetorical question expresses Laban's frustration and resignation, not genuine concern. He is acknowledging his powerlessness to enforce his claims or harm Jacob. This impotence is primarily due to God's direct intervention, warning Laban in a dream not to speak to Jacob "either good or bad" ([Genesis 31:24](/genesis/31-24 "God's warning to Laban")), which restrained his malicious intent.

**How did God intervene in this conflict between Laban and Jacob?**

Answer: God intervened primarily through a direct warning to Laban in a dream, instructing him not to harm Jacob ([Genesis 31:24](/genesis/31-24 "God's warning to Laban")). Furthermore, God had previously blessed Jacob's endeavors despite Laban's deceitful practices, ensuring Jacob's prosperity and growth, which ultimately enabled his departure and independence. God's sovereign hand protected Jacob and ensured His covenant promises would continue through him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Laban's possessive claims and ultimate impotence in [Genesis 31:43](/genesis/31-43 "Laban's Failed Claim") foreshadows the greater freedom and inheritance found in Christ. Just as Jacob was delivered from the bondage and exploitation of Laban to inherit the promises of God, so too are believers delivered from the dominion of sin and the world through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Laban's assertion of ownership over Jacob's family and possessions, though thwarted, represents the futile attempts of earthly powers and human systems to control those whom God has set apart. Christ, our ultimate Deliverer, establishes a new covenant, superior to any earthly agreement, securing for His people an eternal inheritance that no human claim or power can ever diminish or reclaim. In Him, we are truly "not our own" but belong fully to God, free from the oppressive claims of the old nature and the world.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.