Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?

GENESIS 31:27KJV
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Genesis 31:27 (KJV)

What does Genesis 31:27 mean?

Genesis 31:27 records Laban questioning Jacob about why he left secretly, accusing him of sneaking away without notice and saying that, had he known, he would have sent Jacob off with celebration, music, and instruments. Laban is expressing both surprise and a sense of being wronged by Jacob’s sudden departure.

In this verse, Laban is speaking directly to Jacob after discovering that Jacob had left with his family and possessions without telling him. The situation is tense: Jacob had worked for Laban for many years and decided to leave quietly, fearing Laban might stop him. Laban’s words highlight the emotional and cultural importance of farewells in their time, using images of joy and music to emphasize what he claims was lost by Jacob’s secretive exit.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 31:27

  • "Secretly" (בַּחֲבֵרָה, bachavērah): This word often carries the sense of acting in secret or hiding, which shows Laban’s accusation that Jacob was intentionally deceptive in his departure.
  • "Steal away" (גָּנַב, ganav): This word means to steal or carry off secretly, underlining Laban’s feeling that Jacob’s actions were not just secretive but also like a theft—taking away not just people, but the chance for a proper goodbye.
  • "Mirth" (שִׂמְחָה, simchah): This word means joy or gladness, and its use here suggests that Laban is painting a picture of a joyful, communal send-off, whether or not he truly would have done so.
  • "Tabret" (תֹּף, tof) and "Harp" (כִּנּוֹר, kinnor): These are musical instruments common in celebrations, emphasizing the festivity Laban claims he would have provided.

Why Genesis 31:27 matters

  • This verse helps clarify Laban’s perspective, showing that he felt personally slighted and publicly embarrassed by Jacob’s secret departure, which adds depth to the family dynamics in the story.
  • The mention of joyful celebration and musical instruments may be exaggerated, hinting at Laban’s attempt to appear generous or to guilt Jacob, which invites readers to consider Laban’s sincerity.
  • Genesis 31:27 connects to the larger story of trust and mistrust between Jacob and Laban, highlighting the strained relationship and the reasons Jacob felt the need to leave secretly.

Where else these words appear

“tabret” Hebrew H8596 · used in 16 verses

  • Exodus 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
  • 1 Chronicles 13:8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.
  • Isaiah 5:12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

“secretly” Hebrew H2244 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
  • 1 Samuel 14:11 And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
  • 2 Chronicles 22:9 And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him,(for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom.

“away” Hebrew H1589 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 30:33 So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.
  • Exodus 22:1 If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
  • 2 Chronicles 22:11 But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest,(for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.

“harp” Hebrew H3658 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 4:21 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
  • 1 Chronicles 25:6 All these were under the hands of their father for song in the house of the LORD, with cymbals, psalteries, and harps, for the service of the house of God, according to the king's order to Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman.
  • Psalms 81:2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.