King James Version

What Does Genesis 31:36 Mean?

Genesis 31:36 in the King James Version says “And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, th...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?”

Genesis 31:36 · KJV

Context

34

Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not. searched: Heb. felt

35

And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.

36

And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?

37

Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both. searched: Heb. felt

38

This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.

Read Genesis 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass... 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. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיִּ֥חַר1 of 15

“was wroth”

H2734

to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

יַֽעֲקֹב֙2 of 15

“And Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וַיָּ֣רֶב3 of 15

“and chode”

H7378

properly, to toss, i.e., grapple; mostly figuratively, to wrangle, i.e., hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend

לְלָבָ֔ן4 of 15

“to Laban”

H3837

laban, a place in the desert

וַיַּ֤עַן5 of 15

“answered”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

יַֽעֲקֹב֙6 of 15

“And Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר7 of 15

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְלָבָ֔ן8 of 15

“to Laban”

H3837

laban, a place in the desert

מַה9 of 15
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

פִּשְׁעִי֙10 of 15

“What is my trespass”

H6588

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

מַ֣ה11 of 15
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

חַטָּאתִ֔י12 of 15

“what is my sin”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

כִּ֥י13 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

דָלַ֖קְתָּ14 of 15

“that thou hast so hotly pursued”

H1814

to flame (literally or figuratively)

אַֽחֲרָֽי׃15 of 15

“after me”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

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 31:36 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 31:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ephesians 4:262 Kings 5:112 Kings 13:19Genesis 30:2Numbers 16:15Genesis 49:7

Test Your Knowledge

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

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