King James Version

What Does Genesis 31:55 Mean?

Genesis 31:55 in the King James Version says “And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.”

Genesis 31:55 · KJV

Context

53

The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.

54

Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount. offered: or, killed beasts

55

And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.

Read Genesis 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and... 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. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם1 of 12

“And early”

H7925

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

לָבָ֖ן2 of 12

“Laban”

H3837

laban, a place in the desert

בַּבֹּ֗קֶר3 of 12

“in the morning”

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

וַיְנַשֵּׁ֧ק4 of 12

“and kissed”

H5401

to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with weapons

לְבָנָ֛יו5 of 12

“his sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וְלִבְנוֹתָ֖יו6 of 12

“and his daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ7 of 12

“and blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אֶתְהֶ֑ם8 of 12
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וַיֵּ֛לֶךְ9 of 12
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וַיָּ֥שָׁב10 of 12

“and returned”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

לָבָ֖ן11 of 12

“Laban”

H3837

laban, a place in the desert

לִמְקֹמֽוֹ׃12 of 12

“unto his place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

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 31:55 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 31:55 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 31:28Genesis 18:33Deuteronomy 23:5Genesis 30:25Genesis 33:4Genesis 24:60

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