Genesis 31:31

31:31 “I left secretly because I was afraid!” ¹  Jacob replied to Laban. “I thought ²  you might take your daughters away from me by force. ³ 

Genesis 31:36

31:36 Jacob became angry ⁴  and argued with Laban. “What did I do wrong?” he demanded of Laban. ⁵  “What sin of mine prompted you to chase after me in hot pursuit? ⁶ 

[31:31]  ¹ tn Heb “and Jacob answered and said to Laban, ‘Because I was afraid.’” This statement is a not a response to the question about Laban’s household gods that immediately precedes, but to the earlier question about Jacob’s motivation for leaving so quickly and secretly (see v. 27). For this reason the words “I left secretly” are supplied in the translation to indicate the connection to Laban’s earlier question in v. 27. Additionally the order of the introductory clause and the direct discourse have been rearranged in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[31:31]  ² tn Heb “for I said.”

[31:31]  ³ tn Heb “lest you steal your daughters from with me.”

[31:36]  ⁴ tn Heb “it was hot to Jacob.” This idiom refers to anger.

[31:36]  ⁵ tn Heb “and Jacob answered and said to Laban, ‘What is my sin?’” The proper name “Jacob” has been replaced by the pronoun (“he”) in the translation and the order of the introductory clause and direct discourse rearranged for stylistic reasons.

[31:36]  ⁶ tn Heb “What is my sin that you have hotly pursued after me.” The Hebrew verb translated “pursue hotly” is used elsewhere of soldiers chasing defeated enemies (1 Sam 17:53).