Genesis 31:24

24 ¹God came to Laban the Aramean in a ²dream of the night and said to him, "³Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad."

Genesis 31:24 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:24

And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night
It is probable that Laban came to Mount Gilead late in the evening, and so had no sight of, or conversation with Jacob until the morning; and that night God came to him, and in a dream advised him as follows: or it may be rendered, "and God had come" ^F6; in one of the nights in which he had lain upon the road; though the former seems best to agree with ( Genesis 31:29 ) ; the Targum of Jonathan has it, an angel came; and the Jews

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FOOTNOTES:

F7 say it was Michael; by whom, if they understand the uncreated Angel, the Son of God, it is right: and said unto him, take heed that thou speak not to, Jacob either good
or bad;
not that he should keep an entire silence, and enter into no discourse with him on any account, but that he should say nothing to him about his return to Haran again; for it was the will of God he should go onward towards Canaan's land; and therefore Laban should not attempt to persuade him to return, with a promise of good things, or of what great things he would do for him; nor threaten him with evil things, or what he would do to him if he would not comply to return with him.
F6 (abyw) "et venerat", Pagninus, Montanus, Tigurine version; so Aben Ezra.
F7 Pirke Eliezer, c. 36.

Genesis 31:24 In-Context

22 When it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled,

23 then he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him a distance of seven days' journey, and he overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.

24 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."

25 Laban caught up with Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban with his kinsmen camped in the hill country of Gilead.

26 Then Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done by deceiving me and carrying away my daughters like captives of the sword?

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 20:3; Genesis 31:29
• 2. Genesis 20:3, 6; Genesis 31:11
• 3. Genesis 24:50; Genesis 31:7, 29

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "Take heed to yourself"