It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

GENESIS 31:29KJV
Know the Bible

Genesis 31:29 (KJV)

What does Genesis 31:29 mean?

Genesis 31:29 records Laban telling Jacob that he has the power to harm him, but that the God of Jacob’s father warned him the previous night not to say anything good or bad to Jacob. Laban is explaining that, although he could have acted against Jacob, he was stopped by a divine message.

In this scene, Laban is confronting Jacob after Jacob left secretly with his family and possessions. Laban claims he has the authority and ability to retaliate ("It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt"), but he admits that God intervened by speaking to him in a dream, instructing him not to threaten or bless Jacob. This shows both Laban’s intent and the decisive role of God’s warning in preventing conflict.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 31:29

  • "Power" (אֵל, 'el): This word is often translated as "God" elsewhere, but here it means "strength" or "might." Laban is emphasizing his own ability to cause harm.
  • "Hand" (יָד, yad): In Hebrew, "hand" often symbolizes power or control. Laban is saying the power is literally "in his hand," stressing his capability to act.
  • "Hurt" (רָע, ra‘): This word means "evil" or "harm." Laban is not just talking about minor trouble, but real injury or wrongdoing.
  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, ’elohim): Laban refers to "the God of your father," acknowledging Jacob’s God as the one who intervened, not his own household gods.

Why Genesis 31:29 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Laban’s restraint was not out of goodwill, but because God directly warned him, highlighting God’s protection over Jacob.
  • The mention of "the God of your father" shows Laban recognizes a distinction between his own beliefs and Jacob’s God, which is important in the broader story of the patriarchs.
  • The verse sets the tone for the rest of the encounter, showing that the outcome is shaped by divine intervention rather than human power or negotiation.

Where else these words appear

“yesternight” Hebrew H570 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 19:34 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
  • Genesis 31:42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
  • 2 Kings 9:26 Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the LORD; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the LORD. Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground, according to the word of the LORD.

“is” Hebrew H3426 · used in 129 verses

  • Genesis 18:24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
  • 1 Samuel 23:23 See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah.
  • Psalms 135:17 They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.