At this point of the story, Jacob, who knew he was innocent and that God was on his side, can remain calm no longer.

Then Jacob became angry: Then represents a transition from the actions of Laban to the speech of his indignant son-in-law. Became angry translates the same verb as used of Laban in verse 35, but here it is “[it] burned for Jacob.” However, many languages use figurative expressions to say this, such as “Jacob got really wild” or “Jacob’s insides were hot.”

Upbraided Laban: upbraided translates a Hebrew verb that has the sense of making a countercharge, as if in a court of law. This may be expressed as “accused Laban” or “spoke strongly.”

What is my offense?: offense renders a noun related to the verb meaning to “rebel,” “revolt,” or “transgress.” The context requires a sense of an offense against another person, in this case Laban. Furthermore, Jacob’s innocence of theft has now been clearly established, and so he is asking Laban to name the charge that he is accused of. Good News Translation says “What crime have I committed?”

What is my sin…?: sin translates the usual Hebrew word for sin, but as the next clause shows, this refers here to a sin against Laban. Speiser translates this as “guilt.”

It is clear that the terms offense and sin are words with very similar meaning, and the repetition of the question What is my…? is used rhetorically to emphasize Jacob’s heated emotions. We may translate, for example, “How have I offended you? How have I wronged you?” or “What crime have I committed? What law did I break?” See Good News Translation.

That you have hotly pursued me: hotly pursued translates the idiomatic use of another word for “burn” that means chased with the intention of capturing. Note Good News Translation “hunt me down.” Some other English versions say “hounded me.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .