Genesis 31:26 Meaning and Explanation
“And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Laban accuses Jacob of secretly fleeing and taking his daughters away as though they were captives seized in war.
The Context of Genesis 31:26
Laban confronts Jacob, accusing him of stealing away his daughters in secret.
What Does Genesis 31:26 Mean?
Laban's opening words are charged with anger and accusation. He frames Jacob's departure as theft and his daughters' removal as a violent abduction—equating Jacob's family's departure with the seizure of captives in military conquest.
Laban's language is hyperbolic and designed to inflame. He ignores the reality of his own deception and mistreatment, focusing instead on his sense of betrayal and loss. His framing presents the daughters not as adults with agency but as his property.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 31:26
What does Genesis 31:26 mean?
Laban accuses Jacob of secretly fleeing and taking his daughters away as though they were captives seized in war.
What is the context of Genesis 31:26?
Laban confronts Jacob, accusing him of stealing away his daughters in secret.