Bereshis 31:24

24 And Elohim came to Lavan HaArami in a chalom halailah, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Ya’akov either tov or rah.

Bereshis 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


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.

Bereshis 31:24 In-Context

22 And it was told Lavan on Yom HaShlishi that Ya’akov was fled.
23 And he took his achim with him, and pursued after him derech shivat yamim; and they overtook him at Har Gil‘ad.
24 And Elohim came to Lavan HaArami in a chalom halailah, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Ya’akov either tov or rah.
25 Then Lavan overtook Ya’akov. Now Ya’akov had pitched his ohel on the har; and Lavan with his achim encamped in Har Gil‘ad.
26 And Lavan said to Ya’akov, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my banot, like shevuyot (captives) taken with the cherev?
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