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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 31:36 Then Jacob became incensed and challenged Laban. "What is my crime?" he said. "For what sin of mine have you so hotly pursued me?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/31-36.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/01_Gen_31_36.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 31:36 - Laban Pursues Jacob" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Jacob became incensed and challenged Laban. What is my crime? he said. For what sin of mine have you so hotly pursued me?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/31-36.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/31-36.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/31.htm">Chapter 31</a> > Verse 36</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.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/31-35.htm" title="Genesis 31:35">◄</a> Genesis 31:36 <a href="/genesis/31-37.htm" title="Genesis 31:37">►</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> Jacob was angry and took Laban to task. &#8220What is my crime?&#8221 he asked Laban. &#8220How have I wronged you that you hunt me down? <a href="/nlt/genesis/31.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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? <a href="/esv/genesis/31.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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? <a href="/bsb/genesis/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Then Jacob became incensed and challenged Laban. “What is my crime?” he said. “For what sin of mine have you so hotly pursued me? <a href="/kjv/genesis/31.htm">King James Bible</a> 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? <a href="/nkjv/genesis/31.htm">New King James Version</a> 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? <a href="/nasb_/genesis/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then Jacob became angry and argued with Laban; and Jacob said to Laban, “What is my offense? What is my sin that you have hotly pursued me? <a href="/nasb/genesis/31.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then Jacob became angry and contended with Laban; and Jacob said to Laban, &#8220What is my transgression? What is my sin that you have hotly pursued me? <a href="/nasb77/genesis/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then Jacob became angry and contended with Laban; and Jacob answered and said to Laban, “What is my transgression? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me? <a href="/lsb/genesis/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Jacob became angry and contended with Laban; and Jacob answered and said to Laban, “What is my transgression? What is my sin that you have hotly pursued me? <a href="/amp/genesis/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Then Jacob became angry and argued with Laban. And he said to Laban, “What is my fault? What is my sin that you pursued me like this? <a href="/csb/genesis/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Jacob became incensed and brought charges against Laban. “What is my crime? ” he said to Laban. “What is my sin, that you have pursued me? <a href="/hcsb/genesis/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Jacob became incensed and brought charges against Laban. &#8220What is my crime?&#8221 he said to Laban. &#8220What is my sin, that you have pursued me? <a href="/asv/genesis/31.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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? <a href="/cev/genesis/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jacob became very angry and said to Laban: What have I done wrong? Have I committed some crime? Is that why you hunted me down? <a href="/erv/genesis/31.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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? <a href="/gwt/genesis/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Then Jacob became angry and confronted Laban. "What is my crime?" Jacob demanded of Laban. "What is my offense that you have come chasing after me? <a href="/gnt/genesis/31.htm">Good News Translation</a> Then Jacob lost his temper. "What crime have I committed?" he asked angrily. "What law have I broken that gives you the right to hunt me down? <a href="/isv/genesis/31.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then Jacob got angry and started an argument with Laban. "What have I done?" he demanded. "What's my crime that would cause you to come pursue me so violently? <a href="/net/genesis/31.htm">NET Bible</a> Jacob became angry and argued with Laban. "What did I do wrong?" he demanded of Laban. "What sin of mine prompted you to chase after me in hot pursuit? <a href="/nheb/genesis/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Jacob was angry, and argued with Laban. Jacob answered Laban, "What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued after me? <a href="/wbt/genesis/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Jacob was wroth, and chid with Laban: and Jacob answered, and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so eagerly pursued after me?<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/genesis/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Then Jacob became incensed and challenged Laban. “What is my crime?” he said. “For what sin of mine have you so hotly pursued me? <a href="/web/genesis/31.htm">World English Bible</a> Jacob was angry, and argued with Laban. Jacob answered Laban, “What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And it is displeasing to Jacob, and he strives with Laban; and Jacob answers and says to Laban, “What [is] my transgression? What my sin, that you have burned after me? <a href="/ylt/genesis/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And it is displeasing to Jacob, and he striveth with Laban; and Jacob answereth and saith to Laban, 'What is my transgression? what my sin, that thou hast burned after me? <a href="/slt/genesis/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And it kindled to Jacob, and he will contend with Laban, and Jacob will answer and say to Laban, What my fault? what my sin that thou didst hotly pursue after me?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And jacob being angry, said in a chiding manner: For what fault of mine, and for what offense on my part hast thou so hotly pursued me, <a href="/cpdv/genesis/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And Jacob, being inflated, said with contention: “For which fault of mine, or for what sin of mine, have you become so enraged against me <a href="/nabre/genesis/31.htm">New American Bible</a> Jacob, now angered, confronted Laban and demanded, “What crime or offense have I committed that you should hound me? <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then Jacob became angry, and upbraided Laban. Jacob said to Laban, “What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me?<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And Jacob was displeased, and argued with Laban; and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? and what is my fault, that you have hotly pursued after me? <a href="/hpbt/genesis/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And it displeased Yaquuv, and he argued with Laban and Yaquuv answered and said to Laban, “What is my crime, and what is my fault that you have chased after me?<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Jacob was wroth, and strove with Laban. And Jacob answered and said to Laban: 'What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast hotly pursued after me? <a href="/sep/genesis/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Jacob was angry, and strove with Laban; and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my injustice, and what my sin, that thou hast pursued after me, <a href="/parallel/genesis/31-36.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=7847" 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> …35Rachel said to her father, “Sir, do not be angry that I cannot stand up before you; for I am having my period.” So Laban searched, but could not find the household idols. 36<a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">Then Jacob</a> <a href="/hebrew/2734.htm" title="2734: way·yi·ḥar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To burn or be kindled with anger. A primitive root; to glow or grow warm; figuratively to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy.">became incensed</a> <a href="/hebrew/7378.htm" title="7378: way·yā·reḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- Or ruwb; a primitive root; properly, to toss, i.e. Grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e. Hold a controversy; to defend.">and challenged</a> <a href="/hebrew/3837.htm" title="3837: bə·lā·ḇān (Prep-b:: 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/6030.htm" title="6030: way·ya·‘an (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To answer, respond."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“What</a> <a href="/hebrew/6588.htm" title="6588: piš·‘î (N-msc:: 1cs) -- Transgression. From pasha'; a revolt.">is my crime?”</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.">he</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.">said.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3837.htm" title="3837: lə·lā·ḇān (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob. The same as laban; Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“For what</a> <a href="/hebrew/2403.htm" title="2403: ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯî (N-fsc:: 1cs) -- Or chattacth; from chata'; an offence, and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also an offender.">sin of mine</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1814.htm" title="1814: ḏā·laq·tā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To burn, hotly pursue. A primitive root; to flame.">have you so hotly pursued</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rāy (Prep:: 1cs) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">me?</a> 37You have searched all my goods! Have you found anything that belongs to you? Put it here before my brothers and yours, that they may judge between the two of us.…<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="/exodus/22-9.htm">Exodus 22:9</a> In all cases of illegal possession of an ox, a donkey, a sheep, a garment, or any lost item that someone claims, ‘This is mine,’ both parties shall bring their cases before the judges. The one whom the judges find guilty must pay back double to his neighbor. <a href="/1_samuel/12-3.htm">1 Samuel 12:3</a> Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.” <a href="/job/31-35.htm">Job 31:35-37</a> (Oh, that I had one to hear me! Here is my signature. Let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser compose an indictment. / Surely I would carry it on my shoulder and wear it like a crown. / I would give account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.)— <a href="/1_samuel/24-11.htm">1 Samuel 24:11-12</a> See, my father, look at the corner of your robe in my hand. For I cut it off, but I did not kill you. Know and see that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands. I have not sinned against you, even though you are hunting me down to take my life. / May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD take vengeance on you, but my hand will never be against you. <a href="/1_samuel/25-28.htm">1 Samuel 25:28-31</a> Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live. / And should someone pursue you and seek your life, then the life of my lord will be bound securely by the LORD your God in the bundle of the living. But He shall fling away the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling. / When the LORD has done for my lord all the good He promised, and when He has appointed you ruler over Israel, ... <a href="/2_corinthians/7-2.htm">2 Corinthians 7:2</a> Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. <a href="/acts/24-16.htm">Acts 24:16</a> In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man. <a href="/2_corinthians/1-12.htm">2 Corinthians 1:12</a> For this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God. <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-10.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:10</a> You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed. <a href="/philippians/2-15.htm">Philippians 2:15</a> so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world <a href="/1_peter/3-16.htm">1 Peter 3:16</a> keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ. <a href="/2_samuel/16-10.htm">2 Samuel 16:10-12</a> But the king replied, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses me because the LORD told him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why did you do this?’” / Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son, my own flesh and blood, seeks my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone and let him curse me, for the LORD has told him so. / Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.” <a href="/1_kings/18-18.htm">1 Kings 18:18</a> “I have not troubled Israel,” Elijah replied, “but you and your father’s house have, for you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and have followed the Baals. <a href="/nehemiah/5-7.htm">Nehemiah 5:7-9</a> and after serious thought I rebuked the nobles and officials, saying, “You are exacting usury from your own brothers!” So I called a large assembly against them / and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say. / So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies? <a href="/proverbs/18-17.htm">Proverbs 18:17</a> The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Jacob was wroth, and strived with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that you have so hotly pursued after me?was wroth.<a href="/genesis/30-2.htm">Genesis 30:2</a> And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?<a href="/genesis/34-7.htm">Genesis 34:7</a> And the sons of Jacob came out of the field when they heard it: and the men were grieved, and they were very wroth, because he had wrought folly in Israel in lying with Jacob's daughter; which thing ought not to be done.<a href="/genesis/49-7.htm">Genesis 49:7</a> 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.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/31-35.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/genesis/26-21.htm">Argued</a> <a href="/genesis/30-2.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/judges/8-1.htm">Chid</a> <a href="/numbers/20-3.htm">Chode</a> <a href="/revelation/18-9.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/genesis/26-21.htm">Contended</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">Crime</a> <a href="/genesis/31-35.htm">Displeasing</a> <a href="/genesis/26-20.htm">Disputed</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-12.htm">Eagerly</a> <a href="/genesis/16-5.htm">Fault</a> <a href="/psalms/10-2.htm">Hotly</a> <a href="/genesis/27-5.htm">Hunt</a> <a href="/genesis/31-33.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/31-34.htm">Laban</a> <a href="/genesis/20-16.htm">Offense</a> <a href="/revelation/18-3.htm">Passion</a> <a href="/genesis/31-23.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/genesis/26-10.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-5.htm">Striveth</a> <a href="/genesis/26-22.htm">Strove</a> <a href="/1_timothy/3-1.htm">Task</a> <a href="/1_john/3-4.htm">Transgression</a> <a href="/genesis/26-10.htm">Trespass</a> <a href="/mark/16-14.htm">Upbraided</a> <a href="/genesis/4-6.htm">Wroth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/34-7.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-22.htm">Argued</a> <a href="/genesis/39-19.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/numbers/20-3.htm">Chid</a> <a href="/numbers/20-3.htm">Chode</a> <a href="/genesis/39-8.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Contended</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-13.htm">Crime</a> <a href="/genesis/38-10.htm">Displeasing</a> <a href="/mark/9-33.htm">Disputed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-13.htm">Eagerly</a> <a href="/exodus/5-16.htm">Fault</a> <a href="/numbers/11-10.htm">Hotly</a> <a href="/leviticus/17-13.htm">Hunt</a> <a href="/genesis/31-43.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/31-43.htm">Laban</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-7.htm">Offense</a> <a href="/genesis/49-7.htm">Passion</a> <a href="/genesis/35-5.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/genesis/39-9.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/isaiah/44-20.htm">Striveth</a> <a href="/exodus/2-13.htm">Strove</a> <a href="/exodus/5-13.htm">Task</a> <a href="/genesis/50-17.htm">Transgression</a> <a href="/genesis/50-17.htm">Trespass</a> <a href="/judges/8-1.htm">Upbraided</a> <a href="/genesis/34-7.htm">Wroth</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'; 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Jacob's anger reflects a culmination of years of tension and mistreatment by Laban. This moment is significant as it marks a turning point where Jacob stands up for himself. The cultural context of the time allowed for family disputes to be settled through direct confrontation, often in the presence of witnesses. Jacob's challenge to Laban is not just personal but also a defense of his integrity and God's blessing upon him, as seen in previous chapters where God promised to be with Jacob (<a href="/genesis/28-15.htm">Genesis 28:15</a>).“What is my crime?” he said. Jacob's question implies a legal inquiry, as if he were on trial. In ancient Near Eastern culture, accusations required evidence, and Jacob is demanding Laban to present any wrongdoing. This reflects the biblical principle of justice and fairness, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15</a>, which requires two or three witnesses to establish a matter. Jacob's rhetorical question underscores his confidence in his innocence.“For what sin of mine have you so hotly pursued me? The term "hotly pursued" suggests an intense and relentless pursuit, akin to a military chase. This phrase highlights the severity of Laban's actions, which can be seen as an overreaction, given the familial relationship. The pursuit mirrors other biblical narratives where God's people are pursued by adversaries, such as Pharaoh's pursuit of the Israelites (<a href="/exodus/14-8.htm">Exodus 14:8-9</a>). Jacob's use of "sin" indicates a moral and spiritual dimension, emphasizing that he has not transgressed against Laban. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who was also pursued and accused without cause (<a href="/john/15-25.htm">John 15:25</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a> The grandson of Abraham, son of Isaac, and brother of Esau. Jacob is a central figure in Genesis, known for his journey from deception to becoming the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. 2. <a href="/topical/l/laban.htm">Laban</a> Jacob's uncle and father-in-law, known for his deceitful behavior. He pursued Jacob after he left with his family and possessions. 3. <a href="/topical/p/paddan-aram.htm">Paddan-aram</a> The region where Laban lived and where Jacob spent many years working for Laban, marrying his daughters Leah and Rachel. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_pursuit.htm">The Pursuit</a> Laban pursued Jacob after he left secretly with his family and possessions, leading to a confrontation. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_confrontation.htm">The Confrontation</a> This event marks a significant turning point where Jacob stands up to Laban, asserting his innocence and challenging Laban's accusations.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/r/righteous_anger.htm">Righteous Anger</a> Jacob's anger was justified due to false accusations. Believers can learn to discern when anger is righteous and how to express it appropriately. <a href="/topical/s/standing_for_truth.htm">Standing for Truth</a> Jacob's confrontation with Laban teaches the importance of standing firm in truth and integrity, even when falsely accused. <a href="/topical/g/god's_protection.htm">God's Protection</a> Jacob's confidence stemmed from his faith in God's protection. Believers are reminded to trust in God's sovereignty in difficult situations. <a href="/topical/c/conflict_resolution.htm">Conflict Resolution</a> While Jacob's response was heated, the broader biblical account encourages seeking peace and resolution in conflicts. <a href="/topical/a/accountability_and_integrity.htm">Accountability and Integrity</a> Jacob's defense highlights the importance of living a life of integrity, so accusations hold no ground.<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/why_no_laban_pursuit_in_genesis_33.htm">Why is there no mention of repercussions or pursuit from Laban, despite prior tensions, when Jacob meets Esau in Genesis 33?</a> <a href="/q/does_gen_31_41_suggest_inconsistency.htm">In Genesis 31:41, Jacob claims Laban changed his wages ten times, yet no detailed account shows each change; does this raise questions of consistency or exaggeration?</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/does_genesis_31_45-49_fit_ancient_rituals.htm">In Genesis 31:45-49, what evidence confirms or challenges the historical reliability of the Mizpah covenant, and does its ritual element fit known ancient Near Eastern practices?</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>(36) Jacob was wroth.--Naturally he regarded the accusation about the teraphim as a mere device for searching his goods, and when nothing was found gave free vent to his indignation.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 36-42. - And Jacob was wroth, - literally, and it burned, sc. with indignation (same word as used by Rachel, ver. 35), to Jacob, i.e. he was infuriated at what he believed to be Laban's unjustifiable insinuation about his lost teraphim - and chode - or contended; the fundamental signification of the root, רוּב or רִיב, being to seize or tear, e.g. the hair, hence to strive with the bands (<a href="/deuteronomy/33-7.htm">Deuteronomy 33:7</a>), or with words (<a href="/psalms/103-9.htm">Psalm 103:9</a>). The two verbs, וַתִּחַר and וַיָּרֶב, give a vivid representation of the exasperation which Jacob felt - with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, - in words characterized by "verbosity and self-glorification" (Kalisch), or "acute, sensibility and elevated self-consciousness (Delitzsch, Keil), according as one inclines to an unfavorable or favorable view of Jacob's character - What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me? The intensity of Jacob s feeling imparts to his language a rythmical movement, and leads to the selection of poetical forms of expression, such as דָּלַק אַחֲרֵי, to burn after, in the sense of fiercely persecuting, which occurs again only in <a href="/1_samuel/17-53.htm">1 Samuel 17:53</a> (vide Gesenius and Furst, sub voce; and cf. Keil, in lose), causing the reader at times to catch "the dance and music of actual verse" (Ewald). Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, - literally (so. What is my sin) that thou hast felt all my articles (LXX., Kalisch)? the clause being co-ordinate with the preceding; though by others כִּי is taken as equivalent to כַּאֲשֶׁר, quando quidem, since (A.V., Ainsworth), or quando, when (Calvin, Murphy) - what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here Before my brethren and thy brethren (i.e. Laban's kinsmen who accompanied him, who were also of necessity kinsmen to Jacob), that they may judge betwixt us both - which of us has injured the other. This twenty years have I been with thee (vide infra, vet. 41); thy ewes (רָחֵל, a ewe, whence Rachel) and thy she goats - עֵן a she-goat; cf. Sanscrit, adsha, a he-goat; adsha, a she-goat; Goth., gaitsa; Anglo-Saxon, gat; German, geis; Greek, αἵξ; Turkish, gieik (Gesenius, sub voce) - have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten. Roberts says that the people of the East do not eat female sheep except when sterile, and that it would be considered folly and prodigality in the extreme to eat that which has the power of producing more (vide 'Oriental Illustrations,' p. 37). That which was torn of beasts (טְרֵפָה, a coll. fem., from טָרַפ, to tear in pieces, meaning that which is torn in pieces, hence cattle destroyed by wild beasts) I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; - אֲחֶטַּנָּה, literally, I made expiation for it, the piel of חָטָא, signifying to make atonement for a thing by sacrifice (<a href="/leviticus/9-15.htm">Leviticus 9:15</a>), or by compensation, as here; hence "I bare the loss it" (Rashi, equivalent to cf. Furst), or ἐγὼ ἀπετίννουν (LXX.), or, perhaps, "I will be at the loss of it, or pay it back" (Kalisch) - of my hand didst thou require it, - otherwise, "of my hand require it" (Kalisch) - whether stolen by day, or stolen by night. Without adhering literally to the text, the LXX. give the sense of this and the preceding clause as being, "From my own I paid back the stolen by day and the stolen by night." Thus I was; (i.e. I was in this condition that) in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night קֶרַח, ice, so called from its smoothness, hence cold. The alternation of heat and cold in many eastern countries is very great and severely felt by shepherds, travelers, and watchmen, who require to pass the night in the open air, and who in consequence are often obliged to wear clothes lined with skins (cf. <a href="/psalms/121-6.htm">Psalm 121:6</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/36-30.htm">Jeremiah 36:30</a>). "The thermometer at 24° Fahr. at night, a lump of solid ice in our basins in the morning, and then the scorching heat of the day drawing up the moisture, made the neighborhood, convenient as it was, rather a fever-trap, and premonitory symptoms warned us to move" (Tristram, 'The Land of Moab,' p. 217). "The night air at Joaiza was keen and cold; indeed there was a sharp frost, and ice appeared on all the little pools about the camp" (Thomson, 'The Land and the Book,' p. 364). "Does a master reprove his servant for being idle; he will ask, "What can I do? the heat eats me up by day, and the cold eats me up by night'" (Roberts 'Oriental Illustrations,' p. 37; cf. Paxton's 'Illustrations,' vol. 1. p. 30). And my sleep departed from mine eyes. Syrian shepherds were compelled to watch their flocks often both night and day, and for a whole month together, and repair into long plains and deserts without any shelter; and when reduced to this incessant labor, they were besides chilled by the piercing cold of the morning, and scorched by the succeeding heats of a flaming sun, the opposite action of which often swells and chafes their lips and face" (Paxton's 'Illustrations of Scripture,' vol. 1. p. 30). Thus have I been - literally, this to me (or for myself, vide infra) - twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle. The majority of expositors understand the twenty years referred to in ver. 38 to be the same as the twenty spoken of here as consisting of fourteen and six. Dr. Kennicott, regarding the twenty years of ver. 38 as having intervened between the fourteen and the six of ver. 41, makes the entire period of Jacob's sojourn in Padan-aram to have been forty years. In support of this he contends - (1) that the particle זֶה, twice repeated (in ver. 38 and in ver. 41), may be legitimately rendered, "This (one) twenty years I was with thee" (ver. 38), i.e. taking care of thy flocks; and "this for myself (another) twenty years in thy house," i.e. serving for thy daughters and thy cattle (cf. <a href="/exodus/14-20.htm">Exodus 14:20</a>; <a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/job/21-23.htm">Job 21:23, 25</a>; <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-5.htm">Ecclesiastes 6:5</a>); (2) that on this hypothesis more time is afforded for the birth of Jacob's family, viz. twenty-seven years instead of seven; and (3) that it relieves the narrative of certain grave chronological difficulties in connection with Judah and his family, which, on the supposition of the shorter period, subsequently emerge, such as that Judah and his sons must have been quite children when they married (vide <a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/genesis/38-1.htm">Genesis 38:1-11</a>). But, on the other hand, in favor of the accepted chronology it may be urged - (1) that the interposition of a second twenty years in the middle of the first is unnatural; (2) that, though legitimate, the proposed rendering of זֶה does not at first sight suggest itself as that which Jacob intended; (3) that it is not impossible for Jacob's family to have been born in the short space of seven years (vide <a href="/genesis/27-1.htm">Genesis 27:1</a>; <a href="/genesis/30-35.htm">Genesis 30:35</a>); (4) that in reality the difficulties connected with Judah and his sons are not removed by the hypothesis of a forty years' sojourn in Padan-aram any more than by a sojourn of only twenty years, since Judah must have married either after the sale of Joseph, in which case only twenty-two years remain for the birth and marriage of Er and Onan, for Pharez and Zarah, Judah's children by Tamar, to grow to manhood, and for Pharez to have two sons, Hezron and Hamul, before descending to Egypt, unless indeed, as Kurtz supposes, Judah's grandchildren were born in Egypt; or before the sale of Joseph - indeed, if Hezron and Hamul were born in Canaan, before the birth of Joseph, i.e. while Judah was yet in Padan-aram, which is contrary to the narrative (vide <a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/genesis/38-1.htm">Genesis 38:1, 2</a>). For these reasons, though adopted by some excellent authorities (Bishop Horsley, Adam Clarke, 'Speaker's Commentary,' Inglis), the computation of Dr. Kennicott does not appear of sufficient weight to set aside the ordinary reckoning, which is followed by interpreters of equal credit (Keil, Kalisch, Kurtz, Lange, Murphy, Wordsworth). And thou hast changed my wages ten times (vide ver. 7). Except (לוּלֵי, if not, i.e. unless, introducing the protasis of the sentence) the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, - i.e. the object of Isaac's fear, not "terror" (Oort and Kuenen, vide 'The Bible for Young People,' vol. 1. p. 243), viz. God; פַּחַד being used metonymically of that which inspires reverence or fear, like σέβας and σέβασμα. The entire clause is a periphrasis for Jehovah of ver. 3, which is usually ascribed to the Jehovist, while the present verse belongs, it is alleged, to the fundamental document - had been with - or, for (cf. <a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/psalms/124-1.htm">Psalm 124:1, 2</a>) - me (during the whole period of my sojurn in Padan-aram, but especially during the last six years), surely (כִּי, then, commencing the apodosis) thou hadst sent me away now empty (as by thy stratagem in changing my wages thou didst design; but) God hath seen mine affliction (cf. <a href="/genesis/29-32.htm">Genesis 29:32</a>; <a href="/exodus/3-7.htm">Exodus 3:7</a>) and the labor - especially that which is wearisome, from a root signifying to toil with effort so as to become fatiguing (cf. <a href="/job/39-11.htm">Job 39:11</a>) - of my hands, and rebuked - i.e. reproved, sc. thee, as in <a href="/genesis/21-25.htm">Genesis 21:25</a> (LXX., Vulgate, A.V., Calvin, Ainsworth, Lange, Kalisch, and others); or judged, sc. it, i.e. mine affliction, in the sense of pronouncing an opinion or verdict on it, as in <a href="/1_chronicles/12-17.htm">1 Chronicles 12:17</a> (Keil, Murphy); or proved, sc. it, viz. that he had seen my affliction (Dathius, Peele); or decided, sc. betwixt us, as in ver. 37 (Furst, Gesenius) thee yester-night. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/31-36.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then Jacob לְיַעֲקֹ֖ב (lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc became incensed וַיִּ֥חַר (way·yi·ḥar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2734.htm">Strong's 2734: </a> To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy and challenged וַיָּ֣רֶב (way·yā·reḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7378.htm">Strong's 7378: </a> To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend Laban. בְּלָבָ֑ן (bə·lā·ḇān) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3837.htm">Strong's 3837: </a> Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob “What מַה־ (mah-) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what is my crime?” פִּשְׁעִי֙ (piš·‘î) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6588.htm">Strong's 6588: </a> Transgression he יַעֲקֹב֙ (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 said. 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 “For what מַ֣ה (mah) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what sin of mine חַטָּאתִ֔י (ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯî) Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2403.htm">Strong's 2403: </a> An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender have you so hotly pursued דָלַ֖קְתָּ (ḏā·laq·tā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1814.htm">Strong's 1814: </a> To burn, hotly pursue me? אַחֲרָֽי׃ (’a·ḥă·rāy) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> The hind or following part <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/31-36.htm">Genesis 31:36 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/31-36.htm">Genesis 31:36 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/31-36.htm">Genesis 31:36 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/31-36.htm">Genesis 31:36 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/31-36.htm">Genesis 31:36 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/31-36.htm">Genesis 31:36 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/31-36.htm">Genesis 31:36 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/31-36.htm">Genesis 31:36 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/31-36.htm">Genesis 31:36 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/31-36.htm">Genesis 31:36 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/31-36.htm">OT Law: Genesis 31:36 Jacob was angry and argued with Laban (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/31-35.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 31:35"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 31:35" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/31-37.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 31:37"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 31:37" /></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>