Genesis 31:24 But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, "Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad."

◄ Genesis 31:24 ►

New International Version
Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

New Living Translation
But the previous night God had appeared to Laban the Aramean in a dream and told him, “I’m warning you—leave Jacob alone!”

English Standard Version
But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

Berean Standard Bible
But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, “Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.”

New American Standard Bible
However, God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream of the night and said to him, “Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad.”

NASB 1995
God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream of the night and said to him, “Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad.”

NASB 1977
And God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream of the night and said to him, “Beware lest you speak to Jacob either good or bad.”

Amplified Bible
God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, “Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob, either good or bad.”

Christian Standard Bible
But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night. “Watch yourself! ” God warned him. “Don’t say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night. “Watch yourself!” God warned him. “Don’t say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

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

Contemporary English Version
But God appeared to Laban in a dream that night and warned, "Don't say a word to Jacob. Don't make a threat or a promise."

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, "Be careful not to say anything at all to Jacob."

Good News Translation
In a dream that night God came to Laban and said to him, "Be careful not to threaten Jacob in any way."

International Standard Version
That night, God appeared to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, "Be careful what you say to Jacob, whether it's one word good or bad."

Majority Standard Bible
But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.”

NET Bible
But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and warned him, "Be careful that you neither bless nor curse Jacob."

New Heart English Bible
God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night, and said to him, "Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad."

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

World English Bible
God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Be careful that you don’t speak to Jacob either good or bad.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And God comes to Laban the Aramean in a dream of the night and says to him, “Take heed to yourself lest you speak with Jacob from good to evil.”

Young's Literal Translation
And God cometh in unto Laban the Aramaean in a dream of the night, and saith to him, 'Take heed to thyself lest thou speak with Jacob from good unto evil.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And God will come to Laban the Syrian in a dream of the night and will say to him, Watch to thyself, lest thou shalt speak with Jacob from good to evil.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he saw in a dream God saying to him: Take heed thou speak not any thing harshly against Jacob.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he saw in a dream, God saying to him, “Beware that you not speak anything harsh against Jacob.”

New American Bible
But that night God appeared to Laban the Aramean in a dream and said to him: Take care not to say anything to Jacob.

New Revised Standard Version
But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night, and said to him, “Take heed that you say not a word to Jacob, either good or bad.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And God came to Laban, the Aramean, in a dream by night, and said to him, Take heed that you speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And God came upon Laban the Aramaean in a dream of the night and he said to him, “Beware that you do not speak with Yaquuv of good or for evil.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream of the night, and said unto him: 'Take heed to thyself that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And God came to Laban the Syrian in sleep by night, and said to him, Take heed to thyself that thou speak not at any time to Jacob evil things.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Laban Pursues Jacob
…23So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead. 24But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” 25Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there as well.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Genesis 20:3
One night, however, God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are as good as dead because of the woman you have taken, for she is a married woman.”

Genesis 15:1
After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

Genesis 46:2
And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob.

Job 33:15-16
In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds, / He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings

Numbers 22:9-12
Then God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?” / And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: / ‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’” ...

Matthew 1:20
But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Acts 16:9-10
During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” / As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Matthew 2:12
And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route.

Matthew 2:13
When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”

Acts 10:3-6
One day at about the ninth hour, he had a clear vision of an angel of God who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” / Cornelius stared at him in fear and asked, “What is it, Lord?” The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have ascended as a memorial offering before God. / Now send men to Joppa to call for a man named Simon who is called Peter. ...

1 Kings 3:5
One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”

Daniel 2:19
During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and he blessed the God of heaven

Daniel 4:5
I had a dream, and it frightened me; while I was in my bed, the images and visions in my mind alarmed me.

Acts 18:9-10
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent. / For I am with you and no one will lay a hand on you, because I have many people in this city.”

Job 4:12-16
Now a word came to me secretly; my ears caught a whisper of it. / In disquieting visions in the night, when deep sleep falls on men, / fear and trembling came over me and made all my bones shudder. ...

Treasury of Scripture

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

the Syrian.

Genesis 28:5
And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother.

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:

Hosea 12:12
And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep.

dream.

Genesis 31:10,29
And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled…

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 40:5
And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.

Take heed.

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.

Genesis 24:50
Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, The thing proceedeth from the LORD: we cannot speak unto thee bad or good.

Numbers 24:13
If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the LORD, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the LORD saith, that will I speak?

either good or bad.

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Genesis 31

1. Jacob, displeased with the envy of Laban and his sons, departs secretly.
19. Rachel steals her father's household gods.
22. Laban pursues after him, and complains of the wrong.
34. Rachel's plan to hide the images.
36. Jacob's complaint of Laban.
43. The covenant of Laban and Jacob at Galeed.

Berean Study Bible

But that night
The phrase "But that night" sets the scene for a divine intervention. In the Hebrew text, the word for "night" is "לַיְלָה" (laylah), which often signifies a time of vulnerability and divine encounters in the Bible. This moment underscores the immediacy and urgency of God's message to Laban, highlighting the protective nature of God over Jacob. The night is often a time when God chooses to reveal His will, as seen in other biblical narratives, emphasizing His sovereignty over time and events.

God came
The Hebrew word for "God" here is "אֱלֹהִים" (Elohim), a plural form that denotes majesty and power. The verb "came" (בּוֹא, bo) indicates an active approach by God, suggesting His personal involvement in the affairs of men. This divine visitation underscores the theme of God's omnipresence and His willingness to intervene directly in human history to fulfill His purposes.

to Laban the Aramean
Laban is identified as "the Aramean," which situates him within a specific ethnic and cultural context. The Arameans were a Semitic people, and this designation highlights the broader narrative of God's interaction with nations beyond Israel. Laban's identity as an Aramean also serves to contrast his pagan background with Jacob's covenant relationship with God, emphasizing the distinctiveness of God's chosen people.

in a dream
Dreams in the ancient Near Eastern context were often seen as a medium for divine communication. The Hebrew word "חֲלוֹם" (chalom) for "dream" indicates a supernatural revelation. This method of communication underscores God's ability to reach individuals regardless of their spiritual state or location. It also reflects the biblical theme that God can use any means to convey His will and protect His covenant people.

and warned him
The phrase "and warned him" translates the Hebrew verb "אָמַר" (amar), which means "to say" or "to speak." However, in this context, it carries the connotation of a stern admonition or command. This warning demonstrates God's authority and His protective stance over Jacob. It also serves as a reminder of the seriousness with which God views His covenant promises and the lengths He will go to ensure their fulfillment.

Be careful not to say anything
The instruction "Be careful not to say anything" is a direct command from God, emphasizing the importance of Laban's restraint. The Hebrew phrase suggests a prohibition against any form of speech that could harm or influence Jacob. This highlights the power of words and the need for obedience to God's directives, reflecting the biblical principle that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).

to Jacob
Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, is the central figure in this narrative. His name, "יַעֲקֹב" (Ya'akov), means "he who grasps the heel" or "supplanter," reflecting his complex character and life journey. God's protection over Jacob in this instance reaffirms the covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac, showcasing God's faithfulness to His chosen lineage despite human flaws and conflicts.

either good or bad
The phrase "either good or bad" encompasses all possible interactions, indicating that Laban is to have no influence over Jacob's decisions or actions. The Hebrew words "טוֹב" (tov) for "good" and "רַע" (ra) for "bad" cover the spectrum of moral and ethical behavior. This command underscores God's sovereignty and His exclusive right to guide and bless Jacob, ensuring that His divine plan unfolds without human interference.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(24) Either good or bad.--Heb., from good to bad: a proverbial expression, rightly translated in the Authorised Version, but conveying the idea of a more absolute prohibition than the phrase used in Genesis 24:50.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 24, 25. - And God - Elohim is here employed, neither because the section belongs to the fundamental document (Tuch, Bleek, Colenso, et alii), nor because, though Laban had an outward acquaintance with Jehovah (vide ver. 49), his real religious knowledge did not extend beyond Elohim (Hengstenberg), but simply because the historian wished to characterize the interposition which arrested Laban in his wrath as supernatural (Quarry) - came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, - (cf. Genesis 20:3; Job 33:15; Matthew 1:20). This celestial visitation occurred the night before the fugitives were overtaken (vide ver. 29). Its intention was to guard Jacob, according to the promise of Genesis 28:15, against Laban's resentment - and (accordingly God) said unto him, Take heed - literally, take heed for thyself, the verb being followed by an ethical dative, as in Genesis 12:1; Genesis 21:16, q.v. - that thou speak not to Jacob - literally, lest the, speak with Jacob; μή ποτε λαλήσυς μετὰ Ἰακὼβ (LXX.) either good or bad. Literally, from good to bad, meaning that on meeting with Jacob he should not pass from peaceful greetings to bitter reproaches (Bush, Lunge), or say anything emphatic and decisive for the purpose of reversing what had occurred (Keil); or, perhaps more simply, say anything acrimonious or violent against Jacob (Rosenmüller, Murphy), the expression being a proverbial phrase for opposition or interference (Kalisch). (Cf. Genesis 14:50; 2 Samuel 13:23). Then (literally, and) Laban overtook Jacob. Now (literally, and) Jacob had pitched his tent - this was done by means of pins driven into the ground, the verb תָּקַע signifying to fasten, or fix anything by driving (cf. Judges 4:21; Isaiah 22:23, 25) - in the mount (vide supra, ver. 21): and Laban with his brethren (kinsmen, ut supra) pitched - his tent; not ἔστησε τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς (LXX.) - in the mount of Gilead (vide supra, ver. 21).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

But that night
הַלָּ֑יְלָה (hal·lā·yə·lāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

God
אֱלֹהִ֛ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

came
וַיָּבֹ֧א (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Laban
לָבָ֥ן (lā·ḇān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3837: Laban -- father-in-law of Jacob

the Aramean
הָאֲרַמִּ֖י (hā·’ă·ram·mî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 761: Aramean -- an inhabitant of Aram (Syria)

in a dream
בַּחֲלֹ֣ם (ba·ḥă·lōm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2472: A dream

and warned
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

him,
ל֗וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

“Be careful
הִשָּׁ֧מֶר (hiš·šā·mer)
Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

not
פֶּן־ (pen-)
Conjunction
Strong's 6435: Removal, lest

to say
תְּדַבֵּ֥ר (tə·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

anything to
עִֽם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

Jacob,
יַעֲקֹ֖ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

either good
מִטּ֥וֹב (miṭ·ṭō·wḇ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

or
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

bad.”
רָֽע׃ (rā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

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OT Law: Genesis 31:24 God came to Laban the Syrian (Gen. Ge Gn)