Genesis 31:28

Authorized King James Version

PDF

And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.

Original Language Analysis

וְלֹ֣א H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נְטַשְׁתַּ֔נִי And hast not suffered H5203
נְטַשְׁתַּ֔נִי And hast not suffered
Strong's: H5203
Word #: 2 of 8
properly, to pound, i.e., smite; by implication (as if beating out, and thus expanding) to disperse; also, to thrust off, down, out or upon (inclusive
לְנַשֵּׁ֥ק me to kiss H5401
לְנַשֵּׁ֥ק me to kiss
Strong's: H5401
Word #: 3 of 8
to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with weapons
לְבָנַ֖י my sons H1121
לְבָנַ֖י my sons
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 4 of 8
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְלִבְנֹתָ֑י and my daughters H1323
וְלִבְנֹתָ֑י and my daughters
Strong's: H1323
Word #: 5 of 8
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
עַתָּ֖ה H6258
עַתָּ֖ה
Strong's: H6258
Word #: 6 of 8
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
הִסְכַּ֥לְתָּֽ thou hast now done foolishly H5528
הִסְכַּ֥לְתָּֽ thou hast now done foolishly
Strong's: H5528
Word #: 7 of 8
to be silly
עֲשֽׂוֹ׃ in so doing H6213
עֲשֽׂוֹ׃ in so doing
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 8 of 8
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

Cross References

Genesis 31:55And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.Acts 20:37And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed him,1 Kings 19:20And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?Ruth 1:14And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.Exodus 4:27And the LORD said to Aaron, Go into the wilderness to meet Moses. And he went, and met him in the mount of God, and kissed him.1 Corinthians 2:14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.Genesis 31:3And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.Genesis 31:24And 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 29:13And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.Genesis 31:13I am the God of Beth-el, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

Analysis & Commentary

And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include:

  1. divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13)
  2. God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness
  3. discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation
  4. generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break
  5. prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith.

Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

Historical Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources