Genesis 31:26 kjv

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?

Genesis 31:26 nkjv

And Laban said to Jacob: "What have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword?

Genesis 31:26 niv

Then Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done? You've deceived me, and you've carried off my daughters like captives in war.

Genesis 31:26 esv

And Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done, that you have tricked me and driven away my daughters like captives of the sword?

Genesis 31:26 nlt

"What do you mean by deceiving me like this?" Laban demanded. "How dare you drag my daughters away like prisoners of war?

Genesis 31 verses

Genesis 31 26 Meaning

In Genesis 31:26, Laban confronts Jacob after pursuing him for seven days, angrily accusing him of a profound betrayal and dishonor. Laban asks Jacob what wrong he has committed that would compel him to "steal away" secretly, effectively deceiving Laban and taking his daughters as if they were war captives captured by the sword. This accusation reveals Laban's outrage over the secretive departure, his perceived loss of control and dignity, and an exaggerated portrayal of Jacob's actions as a hostile act of abduction rather than a mere departure.

Genesis 31 26 Context

Genesis chapter 31 records a pivotal moment in Jacob's journey back to Canaan from Laban's household. After twenty years of diligent service, during which Laban repeatedly exploited and defrauded him, Jacob received divine instruction to return to his homeland. Jacob, observing Laban's changing countenance and realizing his future was no longer with his uncle, decided to depart secretly, fearing Laban's reluctance to release his daughters or his accumulated wealth. This secretive departure (Gen 31:20) angered Laban, who pursued Jacob with his kinsmen for seven days, eventually overtaking him in the hill country of Gilead. This verse (Gen 31:26) captures the beginning of Laban's verbal confrontation, where he vehemently expresses his indignation and levels severe accusations against Jacob, especially regarding his daughters. Culturally, leaving a household secretly was a breach of customary etiquette and could be seen as an act of disrespect or a strategic maneuver, while taking away women by force, as suggested by Laban's metaphor, was associated with military conquest and severe dishonor.

Genesis 31 26 Word analysis

• Laban: Laban (לָבָן) means "white." He is Jacob's uncle and father-in-law, depicted as shrewd, manipulative, and often deceitful throughout Jacob's stay, ultimately attempting to control and profit from Jacob and his family.
• caught up: The Hebrew word is nasaḡ (נָשַׂג), meaning "to overtake," "to reach," or "to catch up with." It signifies successful pursuit. Laban's determination and Jacob's relatively slower progress with families and flocks allowed Laban to physically apprehend him.
• and said: A common connective, indicating the transition to Laban's direct speech, conveying his immediate and forceful verbal attack.
• to Jacob: The direct object of Laban's address, underscoring the personal and confrontational nature of the encounter.
• What have you done: This is a rhetorical question expressing profound anger, outrage, and accusation. It demands an answer while simultaneously condemning the act. It suggests an egregious wrong.
• stolen my heart: The Hebrew idiom is gānaḇ libbi (גָּנַב לִבִּי). While literally "stole my heart," it does not mean romantic affection here. In this context, it signifies "deceived me," "taken away my awareness," or "hidden your intention from me." It implies a violation of trust and a cunning act of stealth, taking advantage of Laban's unsuspecting state.
• and carried away: The Hebrew verb is tishqāh (תִשָּׁאֶינָה) from nasa' (נָשָׂא), meaning "to lift up," "to bear away," "to take away." It emphasizes the act of removing or abducting.
• my daughters: Laban specifically refers to Rachel and Leah, his own biological daughters, whose well-being and marital status were of immense cultural significance and a source of family honor and control for a patriarch.
• as captives of the sword: The Hebrew phrase is šeḇuyōt ḥereḇ (שְׁבֻיּוֹת חֶרֶב). This is an extremely potent and inflammatory accusation. Šeḇuyōt refers to "captives," specifically women taken during wartime as plunder or slaves. Ḥereḇ means "sword," symbolizing war, violence, and military conquest. Laban is effectively accusing Jacob of treating his own wives (Laban's daughters) not as beloved family members embarking on a new life, but as conquered enemies taken by force and violence, robbed of their free will and dignity. This is an exaggeration meant to condemn Jacob's secret departure and emphasize the perceived grave insult to Laban's honor and authority. It’s a polemical charge, implying Jacob's actions were akin to acts of foreign aggression, stripping Laban of honor as a patriarch.

Genesis 31 26 Bonus section

The accusation "as captives of the sword" not only exaggerates Jacob's actions but also implicitly contrasts with proper biblical conduct regarding women, especially in the context of marriage or respectful departure. While war captives (women) were indeed part of the ancient Near East and even sanctioned in specific Deuteronomic law (Deut 21:10-14), they were still considered objects of seizure, lacking the dignity of choice. Laban's statement intentionally strips Jacob's wives (his own daughters) of agency, presenting them as plundered goods rather than consenting wives following their husband. This emotional manipulation serves Laban's immediate goal: to assert moral superiority and claim injustice, thereby cornering Jacob into a defensive position. Laban's character consistently displays this self-serving righteousness despite his own past manipulative dealings with Jacob.

Genesis 31 26 Commentary

Laban's furious accusation in Genesis 31:26 underscores his profound sense of betrayal and indignity over Jacob's clandestine departure. By framing Jacob's actions as "stealing his heart," Laban highlights the deception involved in Jacob's secretive flight, suggesting a breach of trust and cunning evasion rather than an honorable, though challenging, farewell. The particularly incendiary part of his accusation, comparing his daughters' departure to being "carried away as captives of the sword," is not a literal claim of violence but a dramatic, exaggerated metaphor. It aims to amplify the severity of Jacob's perceived offense by likening it to an act of war, where women are taken as spoils, thus denigrating Jacob's actions to a barbaric level. This verbal assault reveals Laban's outrage not only at losing control over his possessions (Jacob and his family) but also at the perceived disrespect and erosion of his patriarchal authority. This deeply offensive language sets the stage for a tense negotiation, moderated by God's prior warning to Laban, which ultimately leads to the covenant at Mizpah, separating their families and territories. The episode illustrates the complexities of family ties, property rights, and the balance of power, where communication breakdowns and deceit fuel significant conflict.