Kejadian 31:24

31:24 But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and warned him, ¹  “Be careful ²  that you neither bless nor curse Jacob.” ³ 

Kejadian 41:43

41:43 Pharaoh ⁴  had him ride in the chariot used by his second-in-command, ⁵  and they cried out before him, “Kneel down!” ⁶  So he placed him over all the land of Egypt.

[31:24]  ¹ tn Heb “said to him.”

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

[31:24]  ³ tn 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.

[41:43]  ⁴ tn Heb “he”; the referent (Pharaoh) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[41:43]  ⁵ tn Heb “and he caused him to ride in the second chariot which was his.”

[41:43]  ⁶ tn The verb form appears to be a causative imperative from a verbal root meaning “to kneel.” It is a homonym of the word “bless” (identical in root letters but not related etymologically).