Genesis 31:28

28 and did not allow me ¹to kiss my sons and my daughters? Now you have done foolishly.

Genesis 31:28 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:28

And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters?
&c.] Did not give him an opportunity of taking his farewell, which used to be done with a kiss, as it is with us at this day: by his sons he means his grandsons, and so the Targum of Jonathan, my daughters' sons; and by his daughters Rachel and Leah, and Dinah his granddaughter: thou hast done foolishly in [so] doing:
since, as he would have him believe that he was both a loser by this step he took, and exposed himself to danger, seeing it was in the power of Laban to do him hurt, as in ( Genesis 31:29 ) ; but Jacob knew what he did, and that it was the wisest part to follow the direction of God.

Genesis 31:28 In-Context

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

27 "Why did you flee secretly and deceive me, and did not tell me so that I might have sent you away with joy and with songs, with timbrel and with lyre;

28 and did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters? Now you have done foolishly.

29 "It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, 'Be careful not to speak either good or bad to Jacob.'

30 "Now you have indeed gone away because you longed greatly for your father's house; but why did you steal my gods?"

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 31:55