King James Version

What Does Genesis 31:29 Mean?

Genesis 31:29 in the King James Version says “It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou he...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.”

Genesis 31:29 · KJV

Context

27

Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp? steal: Heb. hast stolen me

28

And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.

29

It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

30

And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?

31

And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.

Read Genesis 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, ... 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. How does this verse deepen our understanding of God's character and His relationship with creation?
  2. How should this truth about Covenant at Mizpah shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
יֶשׁ1 of 20

“It is”

H3426

there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)

לְאֵ֣ל2 of 20

“in the power”

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

יָדִ֔י3 of 20

“of my hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

לַֽעֲשׂ֥וֹת4 of 20

“to do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

עִמָּכֶ֖ם5 of 20
H5973

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

רָֽע׃6 of 20

“or bad”

H7451

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

וֵֽאלֹהֵ֨י7 of 20

“but the 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

אֲבִיכֶ֜ם8 of 20

“of your father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֶ֣מֶשׁ׀9 of 20

“unto me yesternight”

H570

yesterday or last night

לֵאמֹ֗ר10 of 20

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלַ֣י11 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לֵאמֹ֗ר12 of 20

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִשָּׁ֧מֶר13 of 20

“Take thou heed”

H8104

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

לְךָ֛14 of 20
H0
מִדַּבֵּ֥ר15 of 20

“that thou speak not”

H1696

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

עִֽם16 of 20
H5973

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

יַעֲקֹ֖ב17 of 20

“to Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

מִטּ֥וֹב18 of 20

“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

עַד19 of 20
H5704

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

רָֽע׃20 of 20

“or 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 31:29 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 31:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 31:53Genesis 31:42Joshua 24:2-3Genesis 28:13Genesis 31:24Daniel 6:26

Test Your Knowledge

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

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