Genesis 31:28

28 Thou hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and daughters; thou hast done foolishly; and now indeed,

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 And he said to Jacob: Why hast thou done thus, to carry away, without my knowledge, my daughters as captives taken with the sword?

27 Why wouldst thou run away privately, and not acquaint me, that I might have brought thee on the way with joy, and with songs, and with timbrels, and with harps?

28 Thou hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and daughters; thou hast done foolishly; and now indeed,

29 It is in my power to return thee evil; but the God of your father said to me yesterday: Take heed thou speak not any thing harshly against Jacob.

30 Suppose thou didst desire to go to thy friends, and hadst a longing after thy father’s house: why hast thou stolen away my gods?