Bible Strands
Genesis 31:26
Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You have deceived me and carried off my daughters like captives of war!
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Laban confronts Jacob in the hill country of Gilead immediately after overtaking his caravan and discovering the secret departure.
The words — The Hebrew verb תִּגְנֹב (tig.no) literally means "you have stolen," while the phrase אֶת־לְבָבִי (et-levavi) translates to "my heart," showing Laban claims Jacob took his affection rather than physical property.
The thread — The phrase "carried off like captives of war" parallels the language in 1 Samuel 30:2, and the opening question "What have you done?" matches the syntactical structure of Genesis 3:13.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that covenant relationships require transparent accountability, not strategic concealment. A reader must confront how emotional manipulation is framed as theft rather than mere disagreement.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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?
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 30:2 They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way.
- Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
- Genesis 3:13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied, “and I ate.”
- Genesis 4:10 “What have you done?” replied the LORD. “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.
- Genesis 12:18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram and asked, “What have you done to me? Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?
- Genesis 20:9 Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such tremendous guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.”
- Genesis 26:10 “What is this you have done to us?” asked Abimelech. “One of the people could easily have slept with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.”
- Genesis 31:16 Surely all the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. So do whatever God has told you.”
- Genesis 31:36 Then Jacob became incensed and challenged Laban. “What is my crime?” he said. “For what sin of mine have you so hotly pursued me?
- Genesis 34:29 They carried off all their possessions and women and children, and they plundered everything in their houses.