Genesis 31:28
Genesis 31:28 in Multiple Translations
But you did not even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye. Now you have done a foolish thing.
And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.
and didst not suffer me to kiss my sons and my daughters? now hast thou done foolishly.
You did not even let me give a kiss to my sons and my daughters. This was a foolish thing to do.
You didn't even let me kiss my grandchildren and daughters goodbye! You've really acted stupidly!
But thou hast not suffered me to kisse my sonnes and my daughters: nowe thou hast done foolishly in doing so.
and hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? — now thou hast acted foolishly in doing [so];
and didn’t allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters? Now you have done foolishly.
And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons, and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.
Thou hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and daughters: thou hast done foolishly: and now, indeed,
◄You did not even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye before they left!/Why did you not allow me to kiss my grandchildren and daughters goodbye before they left?► [RHQ] What you have done was foolish!
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 31:28
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 31:28 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/לֹ֣א
נְטַשְׁתַּ֔/נִי
לְ/נַשֵּׁ֥ק
לְ/בָנַ֖/י
וְ/לִ/בְנֹתָ֑/י
עַתָּ֖ה
הִסְכַּ֥לְתָּֽ
עֲשֽׂוֹ
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
נְטַשְׁתַּ֔/נִי
nâṭash
H5203
to leave
V-Qal-Perf-2ms | Suff
לְ/נַשֵּׁ֥ק
nâshaq
H5401
to kiss
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
לְ/בָנַ֖/י
bên
H1121
son
Prep | N-mp | Suff
וְ/לִ/בְנֹתָ֑/י
bath
H1323
Bath (Shua)
Conj | Prep | N-fp | Suff
עַתָּ֖ה
ʻattâh
H6258
now
Adv
הִסְכַּ֥לְתָּֽ
çâkal
H5528
be foolish
V-Hiphil-Perf-2ms
עֲשֽׂוֹ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 31:28
וְ/לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
נְטַשְׁתַּ֔/נִי
nâṭash
H5203
"to leave"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms | Suff
To leave or forsake something, like God forsaking his people in the book of Isaiah. It can also mean to permit or let something happen. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's relationship with his people.
Definition: 1) to leave, permit, forsake, cast off or away, reject, suffer, join, spread out or abroad, be loosed, cease, abandon, quit, hang loose, cast down, make a raid, lie fallow, let fall, forgo, draw 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to leave, let alone, lie fallow, entrust to 1a2) to forsake, abandon 1a3) to permit 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be forsaken 1b2) to be loosened, be loose 1b3) to be let go, spread abroad 1c) (Pual) to be abandoned, be deserted
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: cast off, drawn, let fall, forsake, join (battle), leave (off), lie still, loose, spread (self) abroad, stretch out, suffer. See also: Genesis 31:28; Psalms 78:60; Psalms 27:9.
לְ/נַשֵּׁ֥ק
nâshaq
H5401
"to kiss"
Prep | V-Piel-Inf-a
To kiss or touch, also to equip with weapons, as seen in armed men or rulers. It appears in various forms, including a romantic kiss or a mode of attachment. In the Bible, it is used to describe intimate touch.
Definition: 1) to put together, kiss 1a) (Qal) to kiss 1b) (Piel) to kiss 1c) (Hiphil) to touch gently
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: armed (men), rule, kiss, that touched. See also: Genesis 27:26; 2 Samuel 14:33; Psalms 2:12.
לְ/בָנַ֖/י
bên
H1121
"son"
Prep | N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
וְ/לִ/בְנֹתָ֑/י
bath
H1323
"Bath (Shua)"
Conj | Prep | N-fp | Suff
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
עַתָּ֖ה
ʻattâh
H6258
"now"
Adv
This word means now or at this time, like in Exodus when God says now is the time to act. It can also be used to connect ideas or show a change in time, as seen in the book of Isaiah.
Definition: 1) now 1a) now 1b) in phrases
Usage: Occurs in 422 OT verses. KJV: henceforth, now, straightway, this time, whereas. See also: Genesis 3:22; Joshua 24:23; 2 Samuel 24:13.
הִסְכַּ֥לְתָּֽ
çâkal
H5528
"be foolish"
V-Hiphil-Perf-2ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to act foolishly or be silly, like in Proverbs 10:23, where it describes a fool's actions. It can also mean to make someone act foolishly. English Bibles often translate it as 'do foolishly' or 'play the fool'.
Definition: 1) to be foolish, be a fool 1a) (Piel) to make foolish, turn into foolishness 1b) (Niphal) to act or do foolishly 1c) (Hiphil) to do foolishly, play the fool
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: do (make, play the, turn into) fool(-ish, -ishly, -ishness). See also: Genesis 31:28; 2 Samuel 24:10; Isaiah 44:25.
עֲשֽׂוֹ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Inf-a
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
Study Notes — Genesis 31:28
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 31:28 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 31:28
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 31:28
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 31:28
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 31:28
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 31:28
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 31:28
- Sermons on Genesis 31:28
Context — Laban Pursues Jacob
26Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You have deceived me and carried off my daughters like captives of war!
27Why did you run away secretly and deceive me, without even telling me? I would have sent you away with joy and singing, with tambourines and harps.
28But you did not even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye. Now you have done a foolish thing.
29I have power to do you great harm, but last night the God of your father said to me, ‘Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.’ 30Now you have gone off because you long for your father’s house. But why have you stolen my gods?”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 31:55 | Early the next morning, Laban got up and kissed his grandchildren and daughters and blessed them. Then he left to return home. |
| 2 | Ruth 1:14 | Again they wept aloud, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. |
| 3 | Acts 20:37 | They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him. |
| 4 | 1 Kings 19:20 | So Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” Elijah replied, “for what have I done to you?” |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 13:13 | “You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. |
| 6 | Genesis 29:13 | When Laban heard the news about his sister’s son Jacob, he ran out to meet him. He embraced him and kissed him and brought him to his home, where Jacob told him all that had happened. |
| 7 | Ruth 1:9 | May the LORD enable each of you to find rest in the home of your new husband.” And she kissed them as they wept aloud |
| 8 | Genesis 31:13 | I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and made a solemn vow to Me. Now get up and leave this land at once, and return to your native land.’” |
| 9 | Exodus 4:27 | Meanwhile, the LORD had said to Aaron, “Go and meet Moses in the wilderness.” So he went and met Moses at the mountain of God and kissed him. |
| 10 | 1 Corinthians 2:14 | The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. |
Genesis 31:28 Summary
In Genesis 31:28, Laban is upset with Jacob because he didn't get to say goodbye to his daughters and grandchildren. This shows how important family is in the Bible, as seen in Genesis 31:27 and Exodus 20:12. Jacob's actions may have been a result of his desire to escape Laban's deceitful ways, but it's also a reminder to prioritize our relationships with our family and in-laws, just as we are called to honor our parents in Exodus 20:12. By trusting God to guide us, we can navigate difficult family situations and show respect and kindness to those around us, even in challenging circumstances (Philippians 2:3-4).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Laban accuse Jacob of doing a foolish thing in Genesis 31:28?
Laban accused Jacob of doing a foolish thing because Jacob did not let him say goodbye to his daughters and grandchildren, which was a significant cultural and familial offense, as seen in the importance of family in Genesis 31:27 and Genesis 28:5.
Was Jacob wrong to leave without saying goodbye to Laban's family?
According to Genesis 31:29, God had instructed Laban not to harm Jacob, and Jacob's actions may have been a result of his desire to escape Laban's deceitful ways, as seen in Genesis 29:25 and Genesis 30:35-36.
How does this verse relate to the concept of family and relationships in the Bible?
This verse highlights the importance of family relationships and respect for one's in-laws, as seen in Genesis 31:27 and Exodus 20:12, which commands us to honor our parents and, by extension, our family ties.
What can we learn from Laban's reaction to Jacob's departure?
Laban's reaction teaches us about the dangers of selfishness and the importance of letting go, as seen in Philippians 2:3-4, where we are called to put others' interests before our own.
Reflection Questions
- How do I prioritize my relationships with my family and in-laws, and what can I do to nurture those bonds?
- In what ways can I show respect and kindness to those who may have wronged me, as Jacob did by trying to escape Laban's deceit?
- What are some ways I can balance my desire for independence with my responsibility to honor my family ties and relationships?
- How can I trust God to guide me in difficult family situations, just as Jacob trusted God to guide him in his interactions with Laban?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 31:28
And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters?.... 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 31:28
And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword? Laban said ... What hast thou done?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 31:28
To kiss my sons and my daughters, as was usual at the parting of friends. See Poole on "". But indeed Jacob took the wisest course for the security of his person and estate, especially having the direction and protection of God in it.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 31:28
Genesis 31:28 And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in [so] doing.Ver. 28. Thou hast now done foolishly.] And yet he had done no more than God bade him do. Wretched men dare reprehend that which they do not comprehend. But if a wise man speak evil of thee, or to thee, endure him; if a fool, pardon him. Shake off reproaches and hard censures, as Paul did the viper; yea, in a holy scorn, laugh at them, as the wild ass doth at the horse and his rider. "Diotrephes prates against us," saith St John. In the Greek (φλυαξει) it is, "trifles against us with malicious words." Although his words were malicious, and he a great man, yet all was but trifles to a clear conscience.
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 31:28
(28) My sons.—That is, my grandsons.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 31:28
28. sons … daughters] Laban’s grandchildren; cf. Genesis 31:43; Genesis 31:55.
Sermons on Genesis 31:28
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Cling to the Lord by Alphaus Mdlalose | In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a mother and her imprisoned son. The son pleads with his mother to seek help from a powerful witch doctor to influence the outcome |
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The Men of Judah Clave Unto Their King. by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of steadfast loyalty to Jesus, drawing parallels between the men of Judah who clave unto their king and the biblical figures of Ruth and Naomi. |
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The Kiss of the Backslider. by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar contrasts the choices of Orpah and Ruth, highlighting Orpah's kiss of farewell as a symbol of indecision and attachment to the world, while Ruth's commitment to clea |
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(The Book of Acts) Session 11 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the need for Christians to take action and make a difference in their country through prayer, witness, and distributing literature. The Holy S |
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Book of Acts Series - Part 35 | Your Potential by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the potential within ourselves and within the body of Christ. He highlights the love and unity among the early |
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Homily 45 on the Acts of the Apostles by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches on the importance of showing compassion, hospitality, and generosity to others, emphasizing the significance of serving Christ through serving those in nee |
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The Cost of the Resurrection Life by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher talks about how the Lord instructed the early army to conquer their captivity by simply walking around it and praising God. He shares his personal expe |