Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.

Genesis 31:25-29

We saw God speaking to Laban last week as he pursued Jacob into the hill country of Gilead. He was warned not to say anything good or bad to Jacob and if there is one thing Laban knows, it would be that God blesses him. He cannot win against Jacob.

So Laban plays the victim in all of this saying, "Why did you trick me?" He tells Jacob that he would have thrown a party with music and dancing. He is upset that he had not been able to kiss his grandchildren before they left. Then he says, "It is in my power to do you harm."

That almost sounds like a threat.

Laban then mentions the visit from God warning him not to do anything rash. This has been the battle of the tricksters and the sooner it ends, the better.

Today's reading

English

And Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban with his kinsmen pitched tents in the hill country of Gilead. And Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done, that you have tricked me and driven away my daughters like captives of the sword?"
"Why did you flee secretly and trick me, and did not tell me, so that I might have sent you away with mirth and songs, with tambourine and lyre? And why did you not permit me to kiss my sons and my daughters farewell? Now you have done foolishly. It is in my power to do you harm. But the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, 'Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.' "

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Hebrew

The story continues next week - the missing gods...

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Info on each letter starting at the beginning

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Thanks for reading.

Shabbat Shalom