Genesis 31:28

28 And [why] did you not give me opportunity to kiss my grandsons and my daughters [goodbye]? Now you have behaved foolishly [by] doing [this].

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 that you {tricked me} and have carried off my daughters like captives of the sword?

27 Why did you hide [your intention] to flee and {trick me}, and did not tell me so that I would have sent you away with joy and song and tambourine and lyre?

28 And [why] did you not give me opportunity to kiss my grandsons and my daughters [goodbye]? Now you have behaved foolishly [by] doing [this].

29 {It is in my power} to do harm to you, but the God of your father spoke to me last night saying, '{Take care} from speaking with Jacob, whether good or evil.'

30 Now, you have surely gone because you desperately longed for the house of your father, [but] why did you steal my gods?"

Footnotes

• [a] Or "sons"