Genesis 31:24

24 And Laban saw in sleep the Lord saying to him, Beware that thou speak not anything sharply against Jacob.

Genesis 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

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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.

Genesis 31:24 In-Context

22 it was told to Laban, in the third day, that Jacob fled. (Laban learned, on the third day, that Jacob had fled.)

23 And Laban took his brethren [with him], and pursued him seven days, and [over]took him in the hill of Gilead. (And Laban took his kinsmen with him, and pursued Jacob for seven days, and finally overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.)

24 And Laban saw in sleep the Lord saying to him, Beware that thou speak not anything sharply against Jacob.

25 And then Jacob had stretched forth the tabernacle in the hill; and when Laban had followed Jacob with his brethren, Laban set a tent in the same hill of Gilead; (And Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead; and when Laban and his kinsmen caught up to him, Laban pitched his tent on the same hill;)

26 and he said to Jacob, Why hast thou done so, that the while I knew not, thou wouldest drive away my daughters as captives, either (as those) taken prisoners, by sword? (and then he said to Jacob, Why hast thou done this, that while I knew not, thou hast driven away my daughters like captives, or like prisoners, taken with the sword?)