Genesis 31:26 - Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done, that you have deceived me, and carried away my daughters like captives of the sword?

Generated Verse: Genesis 31:26

What does "Genesis 31:26" mean?


This verse comes from a heated conversation between Laban and his son-in-law, Jacob, after Jacob secretly fled with Laban's daughters (Leah and Rachel), their children, and all his accumulated wealth.

Here's a breakdown of the verse:

"Laban said to Jacob, 'What have you done...'": This establishes the confrontation. Laban is accusing Jacob of wrongdoing.

"...that you have deceived me...": Laban feels betrayed because Jacob left without informing him. Jacob snuck away in secret instead of saying goodbye. Laban feels he was denied the chance to part amicably and perhaps even receive more valuable parting gifts from Jacob.

"...and carried away my daughters like captives of the sword?": This is the most emotionally charged part of the verse. Laban is deeply offended and hurt that Jacob took his daughters (and grandchildren) as if they were prisoners of war. He feels they were stolen from him, rather than leaving with his blessing. The phrase "captives of the sword" highlights the violent, forceful, and disrespectful nature of Jacob's departure, in Laban's eyes. It implies a complete disregard for family ties and proper social custom.

In essence, Laban is expressing the following:

Betrayal: He feels Jacob tricked him by sneaking away.
Loss: He's lost his daughters and grandchildren, at least temporarily.
Disrespect: He's insulted that Jacob treated his daughters like war booty, denying him the chance to say goodbye and perhaps negotiate terms for their departure.

Context within the story:

This verse is significant because it reflects the complex relationship between Jacob and Laban. They had a long history of deceit and manipulation on both sides. Jacob had worked for Laban for 20 years and felt he had been cheated out of his fair wages. Laban, in turn, likely saw Jacob as a valuable asset and was angry that he was leaving with so much wealth. This confrontation sets the stage for further negotiations and eventually a covenant between the two men.

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