Bible Strands
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?
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob confronts Laban immediately after the patriarch’s search for stolen household idols yields nothing. He demands an accounting of his conduct from the man who pursued him across borders.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיִּחַר (va.yi.char) literally means "it burned," describing Jacob’s sudden indignation. This emotion triggers a formal dispute (וָרִיב, va.ri.v) with Laban over alleged wrongdoing.
The thread — Scripture consistently records Jacob’s capacity for anger, as seen when he confronts Rachel over barrenness (Genesis 30:2) and when his sons react to Shechem’s violation (Genesis 34:7). The New Testament acknowledges righteous fury while warning against its corruption (Ephesians 4:26).
Why it lands — The passage requires a reader to examine how justified grievance must be voiced through direct confrontation rather than hidden resentment. It demands accountability by forcing both parties to place their claims before impartial witnesses.
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 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?
Cross-references
- Ephesians 4:26 “Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger,
- Genesis 30:2 Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?”
- Genesis 34:7 When Jacob’s sons heard what had happened, they returned from the field. They were filled with grief and fury, because Shechem had committed an outrage in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter—a thing that should not be done.
- Genesis 49:7 Cursed be their anger, for it is strong, and their wrath, for it is cruel! I will disperse them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel.
- Numbers 16:15 Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not regard their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them.”
- 2 Kings 5:11 But Naaman went away angry, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out, stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the spot to cure my leprosy.
- 2 Kings 13:19 But the man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times. Then you would have struck down Aram until you had put an end to it. But now you will strike down Aram only three times.”
- Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
- Mark 3:5 Jesus looked around at them with anger and sorrow at their hardness of heart. Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out, and it was restored.
- James 1:19 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,