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Genesis 31:22-24
New English Translation
Genesis 31:22-24
New English Translation
22 Three days later Laban discovered Jacob had left.[a] 23 So he took his relatives[b] with him and pursued Jacob[c] for seven days.[d] He caught up with[e] him in the hill country of Gilead. 24 But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and warned him,[f] “Be careful[g] that you neither bless nor curse Jacob.”[h]
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- Genesis 31:22 tn Heb “and it was told to Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled.”
- Genesis 31:23 tn Heb “his brothers.”
- Genesis 31:23 tn Heb “him”; the referent (Jacob) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Genesis 31:23 tn Heb “and he pursued after him a journey of seven days.”
- Genesis 31:23 tn Heb “drew close to.”
- Genesis 31:24 tn Heb “said to him.”
- Genesis 31:24 tn Heb “watch yourself,” which is a warning to be on guard against doing something that is inappropriate.
- Genesis 31:24 tn Heb “lest you speak with Jacob from good to evil.” The precise meaning of the expression, which occurs only here and in v. 29, is uncertain. Since Laban proceeded to speak to Jacob at length, it cannot mean to maintain silence. Nor does it seem to be a prohibition against criticism (see vv. 26-30). Most likely it refers to a formal pronouncement, whether it be a blessing or a curse. Laban was to avoid saying anything to Jacob that would be intended to enhance him or to harm him.
New English Translation (NET)
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