Bible Strands
Genesis 31:37
You have searched all my goods! Have you found anything that belongs to you? Put it here before my brothers and yours, that they may judge between the two of us.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob addresses Laban during their parting confrontation, demanding a public inventory of his belongings. He challenges Laban to produce any item claimed as Laban’s property so that their respective groups may arbitrate the dispute.
The words — מִשַּׁ֣שְׁתָּ (mi.Shash.ta) translates literally as "you have searched," and מַה\־ (mah-) means "what?" These terms anchor Jacob’s challenge, emphasizing the exhaustive nature of the inspection and the precise object of the accusation.
The thread — The call for public verification parallels the inspection demand in Genesis 31:32 and the presentation of seized items before community leaders in Joshua 7:23. The underlying principle of transparent conduct before others aligns with the instruction in 1 Peter 2:12.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to acknowledge that disputes over property demand open inspection rather than private accusation. It asks the reader to accept communal judgment as the necessary mechanism for resolving conflicting claims.
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
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 2:12 Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.
- Genesis 31:32 If you find your gods with anyone here, he shall not live! In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself if anything is yours, and take it back.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols.
- Joshua 7:23 They took the things from inside the tent, brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites, and spread them out before the LORD.
- 1 Samuel 12:3 Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.”
- Matthew 18:16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
- 1 Corinthians 6:4 So if you need to settle everyday matters, do you appoint as judges those of no standing in the church?
- 1 Thessalonians 2:10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous, and blameless our conduct was among you who believed.
- Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us; we are convinced that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.
- 1 Peter 3:16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.