King James Version

What Does Genesis 31:24 Mean?

Genesis 31:24 in the King James Version says “And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either g...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. either: Heb. from good to bad”

Genesis 31:24 · KJV

Context

22

And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.

23

And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.

24

And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. either: Heb. from good to bad

25

Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.

26

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?

Read Genesis 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak n... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What theological truths about Jacob's Flight from Laban emerge from this passage?
  2. How does this passage challenge modern cultural assumptions about identity, purpose, or morality?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיָּבֹ֧א1 of 18

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֱלֹהִ֛ים2 of 18

“And God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶל3 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לָבָ֥ן4 of 18

“to Laban”

H3837

laban, a place in the desert

הָֽאֲרַמִּ֖י5 of 18

“the Syrian”

H761

an aramite or aramaean

בַּֽחֲלֹ֣ם6 of 18

“in a dream”

H2472

a dream

הַלָּ֑יְלָה7 of 18

“by night”

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר8 of 18

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֗וֹ9 of 18
H0
הִשָּׁ֧מֶר10 of 18

“unto him Take heed”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

לְךָ֛11 of 18
H0
פֶּן12 of 18
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

תְּדַבֵּ֥ר13 of 18

“that thou speak”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

עִֽם14 of 18

“not to”

H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

יַעֲקֹ֖ב15 of 18

“Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

מִטּ֥וֹב16 of 18

“either good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

עַד17 of 18

“or”

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

רָֽע׃18 of 18

“bad”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 31:24 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 31:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 24:50Genesis 20:3Genesis 31:29Numbers 24:13Genesis 31:42Matthew 27:19

Test Your Knowledge

Genesis 31 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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