Genesis 31:37

37 You have rummaged through everything I own. Now show me what you found that belongs to you! Set it out here in front of us, before our relatives, for all to see. Let them judge between us!

Genesis 31:37 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:37

Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff
Or all my vessels ^F14, or utensils; whether household goods, or such as were used with regard to the cattle, or armour for defence: what hast thou found of all thy household stuff?
is there any vessel or utensil, or anything whatever thou canst claim as thine own? is there anything that has been taken away from thee either by me or mine? set [it] here before my brethren and thy brethren;
publicly before them all, and let it be thoroughly inquired into whose property it was, and whether lawfully taken or not: that they may judge betwixt us both;
Jacob was so conscious to himself of his own uprightness, that he could safely leave anything that might be disputed in arbitration with the very men that Laban had brought with him: it was so clear a case that he had not wronged him of anyone thing.

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 (ylk lk) "omnia vasa mea", Montanus, Munster, Vatablus, Drusius, Schmidt.

Genesis 31:37 In-Context

35 she said to her father, “Please, sir, forgive me if I don’t get up for you. I’m having my monthly period.” So Laban continued his search, but he could not find the household idols.

36 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?

37 You have rummaged through everything I own. Now show me what you found that belongs to you! Set it out here in front of us, before our relatives, for all to see. Let them judge between us!

38 “For twenty years I have been with you, caring for your flocks. In all that time your sheep and goats never miscarried. In all those years I never used a single ram of yours for food.

39 If any were attacked and killed by wild animals, I never showed you the carcass and asked you to reduce the count of your flock. No, I took the loss myself! You made me pay for every stolen animal, whether it was taken in broad daylight or in the dark of night.