Genesis 31 36

Genesis 31:36 kjv

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?

Genesis 31:36 nkjv

Then Jacob was angry and rebuked Laban, and Jacob answered and said to Laban: "What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have so hotly pursued me?

Genesis 31:36 niv

Jacob was angry and took Laban to task. "What is my crime?" he asked Laban. "How have I wronged you that you hunt me down?

Genesis 31:36 esv

Then Jacob became angry and berated Laban. Jacob said to Laban, "What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me?

Genesis 31:36 nlt

Then Jacob became very angry, and he challenged Laban. "What's my crime?" he demanded. "What have I done wrong to make you chase after me as though I were a criminal?

Genesis 31 verses

Genesis 31 36 meaning

Jacob's righteous indignation erupts against Laban, challenging him to justify his aggressive and unwarranted pursuit. Having discovered no theft of his household gods among Jacob's possessions, Laban is put on the defensive as Jacob exposes his lack of basis for accusation and highlights the profound injustice and indignity inflicted upon him after years of faithful service.

Genesis 31 36 Context

Genesis chapter 31 marks a pivotal transition for Jacob, concluding his twenty-year sojourn in Laban's house. Prompted by God's command to return to his homeland (Gen 31:3), and noticing Laban's deteriorating disposition (Gen 31:5), Jacob secretly departs with his wives, children, and possessions. Unknown to him, Rachel steals Laban's household idols (teraphim). Upon discovery of their absence, Laban furiously pursues Jacob for seven days (Gen 31:22-23), catching up to him at Gilead. God intervenes with Laban in a dream, warning him not to speak harshly to Jacob (Gen 31:24). Despite the divine warning, Laban confronts Jacob, accusing him of stealing away and taking his daughters as captives (Gen 31:26), and demands the return of his gods (Gen 31:30). Jacob, unaware of Rachel's actions, invites Laban to search his camp, pronouncing death upon anyone found with the idols (Gen 31:32). After Laban's fruitless search, this verse (Gen 31:36) depicts Jacob's powerful and righteous outburst, born of years of endured injustice and this final, unfounded accusation. It sets the stage for a dramatic turning point in Jacob's character and his relationship with Laban, asserting his dignity and innocence.

Genesis 31 36 Word analysis

• וַיִּחַר (vay-yi-char): "and became angry." From the root חָרָה (charah), meaning to burn or grow hot. This is not a sinful outburst but a righteous indignation stemming from a deep sense of injustice. It reflects a "burning" sense of unfairness, accumulated over years of Laban's deception (e.g., changing wages ten times, Gen 31:7). This expression of anger is justified as Jacob's character and integrity are being impugned without cause.
• לְיַעֲקֹב (le-ya-a-kov): "to Jacob," or "Jacob's." This construction emphasizes that the anger arose within Jacob himself, rather than being directed by an external force. It highlights his internal emotional state as he finally reaches his limit.
• וַיֶּרֶב (vay-yeh-rev): "and contended." From the root רִיב (riv), which means to strive, quarrel, or plead. It can also refer to engaging in a legal dispute or formal confrontation. This signifies a strong verbal challenge, escalating beyond a mere argument, into a declaration of his rights and innocence, much like one might do in a courtroom setting.
• מַה־פִּשְׁעִי (mah-pish-ʿi): "What is my transgression?" `פֶּשַׁע` (pesha') denotes a serious, deliberate act of rebellion, a trespass, or high crime. By using this strong word, Jacob forces Laban to identify a significant wrong. This challenges Laban's unspoken assumption that Jacob must be guilty of some grievous offense to warrant such hot pursuit.
• מַה־חַטָּאתִי (mah-kha-ṭā-ʾtī): "What is my sin?" `חַטָּאת` (chattat) is a broader term for sin, meaning to miss the mark, a fault, or error. While `pesha'` implies deliberate rebellion, `chattat` covers any kind of moral failure. By asking both "transgression" and "sin," Jacob exhaustively denies any wrongdoing, from major rebellion to minor fault. This comprehensive denial forces Laban to acknowledge that he has no ground for his accusations.
• כִּי־דָלַקְתָּ (ki-da-lak-ta): "that you have hotly pursued/chased." `דָּלַק` (dalaq) literally means to burn or flame, but here means to chase hotly, relentlessly, or ardently. It describes a furious, energetic pursuit, implying a severe grievance on the part of the pursuer. Jacob emphasizes the intensity of Laban's pursuit, which would only be justified by an egregious wrong, further underscoring the baselessness of Laban's actions. Culturally, such a chase would imply the pursued person was a dangerous criminal or had committed a major affront worthy of extreme vengeance.
• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "And Jacob became angry and contended with Laban": This phrase signals a critical shift in Jacob's behavior. After years of quietly enduring Laban's exploitation (as revealed in Gen 31:41), Jacob finally stands up for himself. His "anger" (`vay-yi-char`) is a righteous response to repeated injustice, and "contended" (`vay-yeh-rev`) indicates he is initiating a strong, verbal challenge, demanding accountability. This reflects a transition from passivity to active defense, possibly bolstered by the Lord's recent intervention on his behalf (Gen 31:24).
  • "What is my transgression? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued after me?": This double question forms the core of Jacob's challenge. By pairing "transgression" (פֶּשַׁע, pesha', a strong term for rebellion or high crime) with "sin" (חַטָּאת, chattat, a broader term for any fault or moral failure), Jacob asserts complete innocence from any degree of wrongdoing. The rhetorical nature of these questions highlights the baselessness of Laban's pursuit (כִּי־דָלַקְתָּ, ki-dalakta, "that you have hotly pursued"), forcing Laban to admit he found no cause for such a hostile chase, particularly given the recent failed search for the idols. This also subtly refers to the idea of a formal complaint, challenging Laban to "state his charge" as in a legal context.

Genesis 31 36 Bonus section

• Theocratic Significance: Jacob's questioning serves not just as a personal defense, but implicitly appeals to a higher moral order governed by God's justice. His call for Laban to present a "transgression" or "sin" is reminiscent of a divine judgment where actions are weighed.
• Literary Foreshadowing: This confrontation marks Jacob's maturation and foreshadows his later encounters where he must stand strong, notably his impending meeting with Esau. It’s a testing and refining moment where he shifts from relying on his own schemes to leaning on divine protection and asserting his God-given rights.
• Irony of the Idols: The great irony lies in Laban's intense pursuit over missing teraphim (household idols/gods) while the truly "transgressive" actions have been his repeated deceptions against Jacob. Jacob, unknowingly righteous in this matter, demands a moral accountability that Laban cannot provide regarding his true grievances.
• Practical usage: This passage affirms that it is sometimes necessary and righteous to confront those who persistently commit injustice, especially when one's character and integrity are baselessly attacked. It teaches the importance of standing for truth, even if it requires strong words, while remaining within the bounds of God's will and avoiding sinful anger. It reminds us that divine protection can empower us to speak truth to power.

Genesis 31 36 Commentary

Jacob's powerful verbal assault in Genesis 31:36 represents a justified eruption of long-suppressed frustration and righteous indignation. For two decades, he endured Laban's deceit and exploitation, often quietly accepting changing wages and false promises. Laban's relentless, almost violent, "hot pursuit" (dalakta) combined with his unfounded accusation of theft, served as the final catalyst. Jacob's rhetorical questions, "What is my transgression? What is my sin?" challenge Laban directly, demanding an explanation for an aggression that implies Jacob is a grievous offender. This confrontation is significant because it is a demonstration of Jacob's growth: from his earlier fear-driven deceptions to standing boldly on his integrity, knowing God is his defender. It highlights the divine justice that contrasts with Laban's earthly trickery and malice. The very fact that Laban found no stolen idols underscores Jacob's innocence concerning the specific charge, lending profound weight to his words. It shows that standing up for truth and righteousness, even with anger, can be an appropriate response to prolonged and baseless injustice. This account offers a profound example of God empowering the oppressed to find their voice and dignity.