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border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/31-23.htm" title="Genesis 31:23">◄</a> Genesis 31:24 <a href="/genesis/31-25.htm" title="Genesis 31:25">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/genesis/31.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/genesis/31.htm">New International Version</a> Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, &#8220Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/genesis/31.htm">New Living Translation</a> But the previous night God had appeared to Laban the Aramean in a dream and told him, “I’m warning you—leave Jacob alone!” <a href="/esv/genesis/31.htm">English Standard Version</a> But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” <a href="/bsb/genesis/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” <a href="/kjv/genesis/31.htm">King James Bible</a> And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/31.htm">New King James Version</a> But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, “Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.” <a href="/nasb_/genesis/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> However, God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream of the night and said to him, “Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad.” <a href="/nasb/genesis/31.htm">NASB 1995</a> God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream of the night and said to him, &#8220Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/genesis/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad.” <a href="/lsb/genesis/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream of the night and said to him, “Beware lest you speak to Jacob either good or bad.” <a href="/amp/genesis/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a> God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, “Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob, either good or bad.” <a href="/csb/genesis/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night. “Watch yourself! ” God warned him. “Don’t say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” <a href="/hcsb/genesis/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night. &#8220Watch yourself!&#8221 God warned him. &#8220Don&#8217t say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.&#8221 <a href="/asv/genesis/31.htm">American Standard Version</a> And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream of the night, and said unto him, Take heed to thyself that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. <a href="/cev/genesis/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But God appeared to Laban in a dream that night and warned, "Don't say a word to Jacob. Don't make a threat or a promise." <a href="/erv/genesis/31.htm">English Revised Version</a> And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream of the night, and said unto him, Take heed to thyself that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. <a href="/gwt/genesis/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, "Be careful not to say anything at all to Jacob." <a href="/gnt/genesis/31.htm">Good News Translation</a> In a dream that night God came to Laban and said to him, "Be careful not to threaten Jacob in any way." <a href="/isv/genesis/31.htm">International Standard Version</a> That night, God appeared to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, "Be careful what you say to Jacob, whether it's one word good or bad." <a href="/msb/genesis/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, ?Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.? <a href="/net/genesis/31.htm">NET Bible</a> But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and warned him, "Be careful that you neither bless nor curse Jacob." <a href="/nheb/genesis/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night, and said to him, "Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad." <a href="/wbt/genesis/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And God came to Laban, the Syrian, in a dream by night, and said to him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. <a href="/web/genesis/31.htm">World English Bible</a> God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Be careful that you don’t speak to Jacob either good or bad.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And God comes to Laban the Aramean in a dream of the night and says to him, “Take heed to yourself lest you speak with Jacob from good to evil.” <a href="/ylt/genesis/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And God cometh in unto Laban the Aramaean in a dream of the night, and saith to him, 'Take heed to thyself lest thou speak with Jacob from good unto evil.' <a href="/slt/genesis/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And God will come to Laban the Syrian in a dream of the night and will say to him, Watch to thyself, lest thou shalt speak with Jacob from good to evil.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And he saw in a dream God saying to him: Take heed thou speak not any thing harshly against Jacob. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he saw in a dream, God saying to him, “Beware that you not speak anything harsh against Jacob.” <a href="/nabre/genesis/31.htm">New American Bible</a> But that night God appeared to Laban the Aramean in a dream and said to him: Take care not to say anything to Jacob. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night, and said to him, “Take heed that you say not a word to Jacob, either good or bad.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And God came to Laban, the Aramean, in a dream by night, and said to him, Take heed that you speak not to Jacob either good or bad. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And God came upon Laban the Aramaean in a dream of the night and he said to him, “Beware that you do not speak with Yaquuv of good or for evil.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream of the night, and said unto him: 'Take heed to thyself that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.' <a href="/sep/genesis/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And God came to Laban the Syrian in sleep by night, and said to him, Take heed to thyself that thou speak not at any time to Jacob evil things. <a href="/parallel/genesis/31-24.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=7727" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/31.htm">Laban Pursues Jacob</a> …23So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead. 24<a href="/hebrew/3915.htm" title="3915: hal·lā·yə·lāh (Art:: N-ms) -- Night. Or leyl; also laylah; from the same as luwl; properly, a twist, i.e. Night; figuratively, adversity.">But that night</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">came</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3837.htm" title="3837: lā·ḇān (N-proper-ms) -- Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob. The same as laban; Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert.">Laban</a> <a href="/hebrew/761.htm" title="761: hā·’ă·ram·mî (Art:: N-proper-ms) -- An inhab. of Aram (Syria). Patrial from 'Aram; an Aramite or Aramaean.">the Aramean</a> <a href="/hebrew/2472.htm" title="2472: ba·ḥă·lōm (Prep-b, Art:: N-msc) -- A dream. Or chalom; from chalam; a dream.">in a dream</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and warned</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8104.htm" title="8104: hiš·šā·mer (V-Nifal-Imp-ms) -- To keep, watch, preserve. A primitive root; properly, to hedge about, i.e. Guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.">“Be careful</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: tə·ḏab·bêr (V-Piel-Imperf-2ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">to say</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im- (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">anything to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: ya·‘ă·qōḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">Jacob,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: miṭ·ṭō·wḇ (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">either good</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">bad.”</a> 25Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there as well.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3</a> One night, however, God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.” <a href="/genesis/15-1.htm">Genesis 15:1</a> After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” <a href="/genesis/46-2.htm">Genesis 46:2</a> And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob. <a href="/job/33-15.htm">Job 33:15-16</a> In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds, / He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings <a href="/numbers/22-9.htm">Numbers 22:9-12</a> Then God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?” / And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: / ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’” ... <a href="/matthew/1-20.htm">Matthew 1:20</a> But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. <a href="/acts/16-9.htm">Acts 16:9-10</a> During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” / As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. <a href="/matthew/2-12.htm">Matthew 2:12</a> And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route. <a href="/matthew/2-13.htm">Matthew 2:13</a> When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.” <a href="/acts/10-3.htm">Acts 10:3-6</a> One day at about the ninth hour, he had a clear vision of an angel of God who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” / Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God. / Now send men to Joppa to call for a man named Simon who is called Peter. ... <a href="/1_kings/3-5.htm">1 Kings 3:5</a> One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!” <a href="/daniel/2-19.htm">Daniel 2:19</a> During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and he blessed the God of heaven <a href="/daniel/4-5.htm">Daniel 4:5</a> I had a dream, and it frightened me; while I was in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me. <a href="/acts/18-9.htm">Acts 18:9-10</a> One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. / For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.” <a href="/job/4-12.htm">Job 4:12-16</a> Now a word came to me secretly; my ears caught a whisper of it. / In disquieting visions in the night, when deep sleep falls on men, / fear and trembling came over me and made all my bones shudder. ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, Take heed that you speak not to Jacob either good or bad.the Syrian.<a href="/genesis/28-5.htm">Genesis 28:5</a> And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother.<a href="/deuteronomy/26-5.htm">Deuteronomy 26:5</a> And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish was my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:<a href="/hosea/12-12.htm">Hosea 12:12</a> And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.dream.<a href="/genesis/31-10.htm">Genesis 31:10,29</a> And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled… <a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3</a> But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.<a href="/genesis/40-5.htm">Genesis 40:5</a> And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.Take heed.<a href="/genesis/31-42.htm">Genesis 31:42</a> Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.<a href="/genesis/24-50.htm">Genesis 24:50</a> Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.<a href="/numbers/24-13.htm">Numbers 24:13</a> If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?either good or bad.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/31-20.htm">Aramaean</a> <a href="/genesis/31-20.htm">Aramean</a> <a href="/genesis/24-50.htm">Bad</a> <a href="/genesis/30-36.htm">Care</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-12.htm">Careful</a> <a href="/genesis/31-11.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/revelation/22-2.htm">Either</a> <a href="/genesis/31-7.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/genesis/30-34.htm">Good</a> <a href="/genesis/30-22.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/genesis/31-23.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/31-22.htm">Laban</a> <a href="/genesis/30-16.htm">Night</a> <a href="/genesis/27-6.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/genesis/31-20.htm">Syrian</a> <a href="/genesis/28-2.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/genesis/31-4.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/10-18.htm">Aramaean</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/26-5.htm">Aramean</a> <a href="/genesis/31-29.htm">Bad</a> <a href="/genesis/31-29.htm">Care</a> <a href="/genesis/31-29.htm">Careful</a> <a href="/genesis/37-5.htm">Dream</a> <a href="/genesis/31-29.htm">Either</a> <a href="/genesis/31-29.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/genesis/31-29.htm">Good</a> <a href="/genesis/31-29.htm">Heed</a> <a href="/genesis/31-25.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/31-25.htm">Laban</a> <a href="/genesis/31-29.htm">Night</a> <a href="/genesis/31-29.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/26-5.htm">Syrian</a> <a href="/genesis/31-27.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/genesis/31-27.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 31</div>1. <a href="/genesis/31-1.htm">Jacob, displeased with the envy of Laban and his sons, departs secretly.</a> 19. <a href="/genesis/31-19.htm">Rachel steals her father's household gods.</a> 22. <a href="/genesis/31-22.htm">Laban pursues after him, and complains of the wrong.</a> 34. <a href="/genesis/31-34.htm">Rachel's plan to hide the images.</a> 36. <a href="/genesis/31-36.htm">Jacob's complaint of Laban.</a> 43. <a href="/genesis/31-43.htm">The covenant of Laban and Jacob at Galeed.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/31.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/31.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But that night This phrase indicates a specific time when God intervened. The timing is significant as it follows Jacob's departure from Laban's household. In biblical narratives, nighttime often symbolizes a period of divine revelation or intervention, as seen in other instances like God's covenant with Abram (<a href="/genesis/15-12.htm">Genesis 15:12-17</a>).God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream Dreams were a common means of divine communication in the ancient Near East. Laban, identified as an Aramean, highlights his cultural and ethnic background, distinct from Jacob's lineage. This divine encounter underscores God's sovereignty and ability to communicate with non-Israelites, similar to His interactions with Pharaoh (Genesis 41) and Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2).and warned him The warning signifies God's protective hand over Jacob. It reflects God's covenant faithfulness to Abraham's descendants, ensuring their safety and fulfilling His promises. This divine warning parallels other biblical instances where God protects His chosen people, such as His instructions to Abimelech regarding Sarah (<a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3-7</a>).“Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” This command emphasizes neutrality, preventing Laban from influencing Jacob's journey. It reflects God's direct intervention to ensure His plans for Jacob are not thwarted. The phrase "good or bad" suggests a comprehensive prohibition, ensuring Laban neither blesses nor curses Jacob, reminiscent of God's promise to bless those who bless Abraham's descendants and curse those who curse them (<a href="/genesis/12-3.htm">Genesis 12:3</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The sovereign deity who intervenes in human affairs, demonstrating His protective nature over Jacob. 2. <a href="/topical/l/laban_the_aramean.htm">Laban the Aramean</a> Jacob's father-in-law, who pursued Jacob after he fled with his family and possessions. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a> The grandson of Abraham, who left Laban's household to return to his homeland. 4. <a href="/topical/d/dream.htm">Dream</a> A divine communication method used by God to convey His will and warnings. 5. <a href="/topical/a/aram.htm">Aram</a> The region associated with Laban, highlighting his cultural and geographical background.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_protection.htm">Divine Protection</a> God actively protects His people, even when they are unaware of the dangers around them. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> God's intervention in Laban's dream demonstrates His control over all situations and people, regardless of their intentions. <a href="/topical/c/communication_through_dreams.htm">Communication through Dreams</a> God can use dreams as a means to communicate His will and warnings, emphasizing the importance of being attentive to His messages. <a href="/topical/r/respecting_god's_warnings.htm">Respecting God's Warnings</a> Laban's obedience to God's warning shows the importance of heeding divine instructions, even when they challenge personal desires or plans. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_plan.htm">Trust in God's Plan</a> Jacob's journey, though fraught with challenges, is under God's guidance, encouraging believers to trust in God's plan for their lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_31.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 31</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_concept_of_veggietales.htm">Will the Lord watch between you and me?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_god_speak_to_idolater_laban.htm">In Genesis 31:24, why would God communicate with Laban if Laban worshipped other gods, and how does this align with other biblical passages about idolatry? </a> <a href="/q/how_did_jacob's_dream_affect_flock_genetics.htm">In Genesis 31:10-12, how could Jacob's dream and the striped rods realistically influence the genetics of the flocks?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_laban_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Laban in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/31.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(24) Either good or bad.--Heb., from good to bad: a proverbial expression, rightly translated in the Authorised Version, but conveying the idea of a more absolute prohibition than the phrase used in <a href="/genesis/24-50.htm" title="Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceeds from the LORD: we cannot speak to you bad or good.">Genesis 24:50</a>.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 24, 25. - And God - Elohim is here employed, neither because the section belongs to the fundamental document (Tuch, Bleek, Colenso, et alii), nor because, though Laban had an outward acquaintance with Jehovah (vide ver. 49), his real religious knowledge did not extend beyond Elohim (Hengstenberg), but simply because the historian wished to characterize the interposition which arrested Laban in his wrath as supernatural (Quarry) - came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, - (cf. <a href="/genesis/20-3.htm">Genesis 20:3</a>; <a href="/job/33-15.htm">Job 33:15</a>; <a href="/matthew/1-20.htm">Matthew 1:20</a>). This celestial visitation occurred the night before the fugitives were overtaken (vide ver. 29). Its intention was to guard Jacob, according to the promise of <a href="/genesis/28-15.htm">Genesis 28:15</a>, against Laban's resentment - and (accordingly God) said unto him, Take heed - literally, take heed for thyself, the verb being followed by an ethical dative, as in <a href="/genesis/12-1.htm">Genesis 12:1</a>; <a href="/genesis/21-16.htm">Genesis 21:16</a>, q.v. - that thou speak not to Jacob - literally, lest the, speak with Jacob; μή ποτε λαλήσυς μετὰ Ἰακὼβ (LXX.) either good or bad. Literally, from good to bad, meaning that on meeting with Jacob he should not pass from peaceful greetings to bitter reproaches (Bush, Lunge), or say anything emphatic and decisive for the purpose of reversing what had occurred (Keil); or, perhaps more simply, say anything acrimonious or violent against Jacob (Rosenmüller, Murphy), the expression being a proverbial phrase for opposition or interference (Kalisch). (Cf. Genesis 14:50; <a href="/2_samuel/13-23.htm">2 Samuel 13:23</a>). Then (literally, and) Laban overtook Jacob. Now (literally, and) Jacob had pitched his tent - this was done by means of pins driven into the ground, the verb תָּקַע signifying to fasten, or fix anything by driving (cf. <a href="/judges/4-21.htm">Judges 4:21</a>; <a href="/isaiah/22-23.htm">Isaiah 22:23, 25</a>) - in the mount (vide supra, ver. 21): and Laban with his brethren (kinsmen, ut supra) pitched - his tent; not ἔστησε τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς (LXX.) - in the mount of Gilead (vide supra, ver. 21). <a href="/commentaries/genesis/31-24.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But that night הַלָּ֑יְלָה (hal·lā·yə·lāh) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3915.htm">Strong's 3915: </a> A twist, night, adversity God אֱלֹהִ֛ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative came וַיָּבֹ֧א (way·yā·ḇō) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to Laban לָבָ֥ן (lā·ḇān) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3837.htm">Strong's 3837: </a> Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob the Aramean הָאֲרַמִּ֖י (hā·’ă·ram·mî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_761.htm">Strong's 761: </a> Aramean -- an inhabitant of Aram (Syria) in a dream בַּחֲלֹ֣ם (ba·ḥă·lōm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2472.htm">Strong's 2472: </a> A dream and warned וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say him, ל֗וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> “Be careful הִשָּׁ֧מֶר (hiš·šā·mer) Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8104.htm">Strong's 8104: </a> To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to not פֶּן־ (pen-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> Removal, lest to say תְּדַבֵּ֥ר (tə·ḏab·bêr) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> To arrange, to speak, to subdue anything to עִֽם־ (‘im-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> With, equally with Jacob, יַעֲקֹ֖ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc either good מִטּ֥וֹב (miṭ·ṭō·wḇ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> Pleasant, agreeable, good or עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> As far as, even to, up to, until, while bad.” רָֽע׃ (rā‘) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> Bad, evil <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/31-24.htm">Genesis 31:24 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/31-24.htm">Genesis 31:24 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/31-24.htm">Genesis 31:24 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/31-24.htm">Genesis 31:24 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/31-24.htm">Genesis 31:24 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/31-24.htm">Genesis 31:24 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/31-24.htm">Genesis 31:24 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/31-24.htm">Genesis 31:24 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/31-24.htm">Genesis 31:24 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/31-24.htm">Genesis 31:24 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/31-24.htm">OT Law: Genesis 31:24 God came to Laban the Syrian (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/31-23.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 31:23"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 31:23" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/31-25.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 31:25"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 31:25" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>