Genesis 31:24

Context
31:24 But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and warned him,¹ “Be careful² that you neither bless nor curse Jacob.”³

Genesis 31:29

Context
31:29 I have⁴ the power to do you harm, but the God of your father told me last night, ‘Be careful⁵ that you neither bless nor curse Jacob.’⁶

Psalms 124:1-3

Context

Psalm 124⁷

A song of ascents,⁸ by David.

124:1 “If the Lord had not been on our side” –

let Israel say this! –

124:2 if the Lord had not been on our side,

when men attacked us,⁹

124:3 they would have swallowed us alive,

when their anger raged against us.

[31:24] ¹tn Heb “said to him.”

[31:24] ²tn Heb “watch yourself,” which is a warning to be on guard against doing something that is inappropriate.

[31:24] ³tn Heb “lest you speak with Jacob from good to evil.” The precise meaning of the expression, which occurs only here and in v. 29, is uncertain. Since Laban proceeded to speak to Jacob at length, it cannot mean to maintain silence. Nor does it seem to be a prohibition against criticism (see vv. 26-30). Most likely it refers to a formal pronouncement, whether it be a blessing or a curse. Laban was to avoid saying anything to Jacob that would be intended to enhance him or to harm him.

[31:29] ⁴tn Heb “there is to my hand.”

[31:29] ⁵tn Heb “watch yourself,” which is a warning to be on guard against doing something that is inappropriate.

[31:29] ⁶tn Heb “from speaking with Jacob from good to evil.” The precise meaning of the expression, which occurs only here and in v. 24, is uncertain. See the note on the same phrase in v. 24.

[124:1] ⁷sn Psalm 124. Israel acknowledges that the Lord delivered them from certain disaster.

[124:1] ⁸sn The precise significance of this title, which appears in Pss 120-134, is unclear. Perhaps worshipers recited these psalms when they ascended the road to Jerusalem to celebrate annual religious festivals. For a discussion of their background see L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 219-21.

[124:2] ⁹tn Heb “rose up against us.”