And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

GENESIS 31:24KJV
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Genesis 31:24 (KJV)

What does Genesis 31:24 mean?

Genesis 31:24 describes how God appeared to Laban the Syrian in a dream at night and warned him not to say anything good or bad to Jacob. This means God directly intervened to protect Jacob by telling Laban not to threaten, harm, or even try to persuade Jacob in any way.

In this scene, Laban is pursuing Jacob, who has left with his family and possessions. God steps in by communicating with Laban through a dream, making it clear that Laban must not interfere with Jacob’s journey or decisions. The verse shows God’s active role in safeguarding Jacob and guiding the events between these two men.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 31:24

  • The word for "heed" is שָׁמַר (shamar), which means to watch, guard, or keep. Here, it emphasizes that Laban must be very careful in how he approaches Jacob.
  • The phrase "good or bad" uses טוֹב (tov, "good") and רַע (ra, "bad"), a Hebrew way of saying "anything at all," covering the full range of possible intentions or actions. God is telling Laban not to try to influence Jacob in any direction.
  • The word for "dream" is חֲלוֹם (chalom), highlighting that God sometimes communicated important warnings or guidance through dreams, especially to people outside the main family line like Laban.

Why Genesis 31:24 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God was actively protecting Jacob, not just passively watching events unfold. God’s warning to Laban shows divine involvement in the story’s outcome.
  • The warning covers both “good or bad,” making it clear that Laban is not to manipulate, threaten, or even try to persuade Jacob—God is setting a strict boundary.
  • This moment connects to the larger story of God’s promises to Jacob and his ancestors, showing that God’s guidance and protection continue even when Jacob is far from home and facing family conflict.

Where else these words appear

“Syrian” Hebrew H761 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
  • Deuteronomy 26:5 And thou shalt speak and say before the LORD thy God, A Syrian ready to perish was my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, and became there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:
  • 2 Kings 8:29 And king Joram went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ramah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah went down to see Joram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.

“to” Hebrew H5973 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
  • Exodus 22:14 And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.
  • 1 Samuel 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

“Laban” Hebrew H3837 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 24:29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
  • Genesis 29:24 And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.
  • Genesis 31:22 And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.

“dream” Hebrew H2472 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
  • Genesis 41:12 And there was there with us a young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his dream he did interpret.
  • Job 7:14 Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions: