Complete Verse: Genesis 31:36 KJV

“And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?” 

Meaning of “wroth”

The word “wroth” means angry or greatly displeased. Jacob had reached a point where he could no longer remain silent. His anger came after Laban had pursued him and searched his belongings.

The Hebrew analysis of the verse indicates a strong expression of anger or being heated emotionally. The wording therefore presents Jacob as someone who is deeply upset by what he considers an unjust accusation.

Meaning of “chode”

The word “chode” is old English and means that Jacob argued, disputed, or contended with Laban. Jacob was confronting Laban directly.

This does not necessarily mean that Jacob was justified in every aspect of his anger. The important point is that he demanded an explanation and evidence for the accusation being made against him.

Detailed English Explanation

1. Jacob had been pursued as though he were guilty

Laban did not merely approach Jacob calmly to ask questions. He pursued Jacob after Jacob had left. The language “so hotly pursued” conveys the intensity of the pursuit.

Jacob’s question essentially means:

“What have I actually done wrong that you are pursuing me with such determination?”

This is an important principle in dealing with accusations. A person may be treated as guilty before any evidence has been established. Jacob asks Laban to identify the specific offense rather than simply assuming guilt.

2. Jacob asks for specific accountability

Jacob says:

“What is my trespass? what is my sin?”

Notice that Jacob does not respond with a vague statement. He asks for specifics.

A serious accusation should have a definite basis. If someone claims that another person has committed a wrong, the natural question is: What exactly did I do?

This makes the verse relevant to many situations in life. People can experience false accusations, misunderstandings, family disputes, workplace conflicts, or disagreements in which emotions become stronger than facts.

Jacob’s response teaches the importance of distinguishing between an accusation and an established offense.

3. Jacob’s anger reflects accumulated frustration

Genesis 31 is not the beginning of Jacob’s difficulties with Laban. Their relationship had been complicated for many years.

Jacob had worked for Laban for twenty years. Later in the same speech, Jacob reminds Laban that he had faithfully cared for his flocks and had personally carried losses that could have been charged against him. 

Therefore, Genesis 31:36 represents a moment when years of frustration finally come to the surface.

Jacob is essentially saying:

“After everything I have endured and everything I have done in your service, why are you treating me like a criminal?”

This gives emotional depth to the verse.

4. The verse does not necessarily approve every expression of anger

There is an important distinction here. The Bible records what Jacob did; that does not automatically mean that every emotion or manner of expression was perfect.

Jacob was angry, and Scripture openly records his anger. A person can have a legitimate grievance while still needing wisdom in how that grievance is expressed.

This is a valuable lesson for modern readers. Being treated unfairly can produce genuine anger, but righteous concern and uncontrolled anger are not necessarily the same thing.

The issue is not simply whether anger exists. The issue is what a person does with that anger.

5. Jacob demands evidence

The next verse strengthens Jacob’s argument:

“Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff?”

Jacob points to the search itself. Laban had searched Jacob’s possessions, yet he had not found the missing household objects.

Jacob therefore challenges him to present evidence.

This teaches an important lesson about justice: claims should be examined rather than accepted merely because someone makes them confidently.

6. Jacob remembers his faithful service

Jacob then describes his twenty years of service to Laban. He points out that he had cared for Laban’s flocks carefully and had accepted losses that might otherwise have fallen upon Laban.

This background makes Jacob’s question in verse 36 even stronger.

He is not saying that he has never made a mistake in his entire life. Rather, in this particular dispute, he wants Laban to identify the offense that would justify pursuing him in such a forceful manner.

7. The deeper spiritual lesson

The passage also encourages readers to consider how they respond when they are misunderstood.

There are times when a person cannot control what others say about them. Someone may interpret their actions unfairly or make an accusation without understanding the circumstances.

Jacob’s response shows that it can be appropriate to ask for clarification, defend one’s integrity, and request evidence.

At the same time, the larger biblical story reminds us that human beings are imperfect. The proper response to conflict is not merely to prove oneself right but also to remain conscious of one’s own accountability before God.

Genesis 31:36 — Urdu Explanation

پیدائش 31:36 میں یعقوب اور لابن کے درمیان ایک نہایت اہم گفتگو بیان ہوئی ہے۔ یعقوب کئی سال تک لابن کے ساتھ خدمت کرتا رہا تھا۔ اس کے بعد جب یعقوب اپنے خاندان اور مال و مویشی کے ساتھ وہاں سے روانہ ہوا تو لابن اس کا پیچھا کرتا ہوا آیا۔ لابن نے یعقوب کے سامان میں اپنے گھر کی چیزیں تلاش کیں، لیکن انہیں تلاش کے باوجود وہ چیزیں نہیں ملیں۔ اسی موقع پر یعقوب غصے میں آیا اور لابن سے سختی سے بات کی۔

یعقوب کے الفاظ تھے:

“What is my trespass? what is my sin?”

یعنی:

“میرا قصور کیا ہے؟ میرا گناہ کیا ہے کہ تم نے اس قدر شدت سے میرا پیچھا کیا؟”

یہ سوال دراصل یعقوب کی طرف سے ایک واضح مطالبہ تھا کہ اگر اس پر کوئی الزام ہے تو اسے واضح کیا جائے۔

یعقوب کا غصہ کیوں آیا؟

یعقوب نے لابن کے ساتھ تقریباً بیس سال گزارے تھے۔ اس دوران اس نے محنت کی، لابن کے مویشیوں کی نگہداشت کی اور بہت سی مشکلات برداشت کیں۔ بعد کے کلام میں یعقوب اپنی خدمت اور ذمہ داریوں کا ذکر بھی کرتا ہے۔

اس لیے جب لابن نے اس کا پیچھا کیا اور اس کے سامان کی تلاشی لی تو یعقوب کو محسوس ہوا کہ اس کے ساتھ ایسے شخص کی طرح سلوک کیا جا رہا ہے جس نے کوئی بڑا جرم کیا ہو۔

اسی وجہ سے وہ پوچھتا ہے:

“میرا قصور کیا ہے؟”

یہ ایک اہم سوال ہے کیونکہ یعقوب صرف جذباتی شکایت نہیں کر رہا بلکہ الزام کی بنیاد جاننا چاہتا ہے۔

“میرا گناہ کیا ہے؟” کا مفہوم

یعقوب کا سوال ہمیں یہ سکھاتا ہے کہ الزام اور حقیقت میں فرق ہوتا ہے۔ کسی شخص پر الزام لگانا آسان ہے، لیکن کسی الزام کو ثابت کرنا الگ بات ہے۔

اگر کوئی انسان آپ کے بارے میں غلط فہمی رکھتا ہے تو مناسب طریقے سے یہ پوچھنا درست ہوسکتا ہے:

“میں نے کیا کیا ہے؟ میری غلطی کہاں ہے؟”

اس طرح گفتگو عمومی الزام سے نکل کر حقیقی مسئلے کی طرف آتی ہے۔

ناانصافی کے وقت کیا کرنا چاہیے؟

یہ آیت ایسے لوگوں کے لیے خاص طور پر حوصلہ افزا ہوسکتی ہے جو کبھی غلط فہمی، الزام یا ناانصافی کا سامنا کرتے ہیں۔

یعقوب نے خاموش رہنے کے بجائے اپنا مؤقف بیان کیا۔ اس نے لابن سے سوال کیا اور اپنی خدمت کا ریکارڈ سامنے رکھا۔

اس سے ایک اہم اصول سامنے آتا ہے:

اپنی صفائی پیش کرنا ہمیشہ تکبر نہیں ہوتا۔

کبھی کبھی سچائی کو واضح کرنا ضروری ہوتا ہے۔ تاہم انسان کو یہ بھی یاد رکھنا چاہیے کہ غصہ قابو سے باہر نہ ہو۔ یعقوب کا واقعہ ہمیں یہ دونوں پہلو دکھاتا ہے: اپنے حق کی بات کرنا اور اپنے جذبات کا سامنا کرنا۔

اس آیت کا روحانی سبق

Genesis 31:36 ہمیں یاد دلاتی ہے کہ انسانوں کی رائے ہمیشہ آخری معیار نہیں ہوتی۔ لوگ غلط سمجھ سکتے ہیں، الزام لگا سکتے ہیں یا کسی صورتحال کو مختلف انداز سے دیکھ سکتے ہیں۔

ایسے وقت میں مومن کے لیے ضروری ہے کہ وہ اپنی زندگی کا جائزہ لے:

• کیا واقعی میں نے کوئی غلطی کی ہے؟
• اگر کی ہے تو کیا مجھے اسے تسلیم کرنا چاہیے؟
• اگر الزام غلط ہے تو کیا مجھے حکمت کے ساتھ وضاحت کرنی چاہیے؟
• کیا میں اپنے غصے کو قابو میں رکھ رہا ہوں؟
• کیا میں اپنے معاملے کو God کے سامنے بھی رکھ سکتا ہوں؟

یہ سوال انسان کو صرف دوسروں کو قصوروار ٹھہرانے سے بچاتے ہیں۔

Genesis 31:36 Today — Practical Life Application

This verse has several practical applications for modern life.

When falsely accused: Ask calmly for the specific accusation rather than reacting only to the emotion surrounding it.

When misunderstood: Explain the facts clearly. A calm explanation can prevent a disagreement from becoming a larger conflict.

When genuinely guilty: Do not use Jacob’s words as an excuse to deny real wrongdoing. If there is genuine sin or misconduct, honesty and repentance are more important than winning an argument.

When angry: Anger may reveal that something important has happened, but anger itself does not automatically determine the correct response.

When treated unfairly: Remember that your identity and ultimate worth do not depend entirely upon another person’s judgment.

Main Message of Genesis 31:36

The central message of this verse can be summarized in one question:

“If I have done wrong, show me my wrong; if I have not, why am I being treated as guilty?”

Jacob’s confrontation with Laban demonstrates the importance of truth, accountability, evidence, and wise handling of conflict. The passage also reminds us that even when we have a legitimate complaint, we must be careful about how we express anger.

Genesis 31:36 is therefore not merely a historical statement about Jacob and Laban. It provides a meaningful reflection on false accusations, family conflict, injustice, personal integrity, anger, and standing for the truth.