Then Laban answered and said to Jacob: this typical Hebrew introduction for a change of speakers has two verbs that must most often be reduced to a single verb. The verb that is used in translation depends in part on the kind of statement or question that follows. In this verse Laban will repeat his claim, not to a few things he thinks Jacob has stolen, but to everything Jacob has. His claim is, of course, a gross exaggeration. No doubt Laban has already decided that he must make his peace with Jacob. And his claim may be his way of letting go that which he knows he can no longer keep.

The daughters are my daughters: in many languages it will be more natural to say “These women are my daughters.” Note Good News Translation.

The children are my children: since Laban is referring to his grandchildren, it will often be best to say “and those children are my grandchildren.” In many languages the children will be referred to as “their children,” that is, the children of the two women.

The flocks are my flocks: the only flocks visible to Laban are those belonging to Jacob. The form of Laban’s claim is the same in respect to his daughters, his grandchildren, and the flocks. It may be more natural, as Laban gazes out over Jacob’s animals, to say, for example, “Even all those animals out there belong to me.”

And all that you see is mine is no doubt said with a wide sweep of his hand to include anything he may have overlooked. Good News Translation gives a good model for the translation.

But what can I do this day to these my daughters…?: But what can I do…? signals the resignation of Laban to the reality he now faces. It has become obvious to Laban that his daughters and their children are more satisfied with Jacob than they were with him. (See verses 14-16.) The question as translated by Revised Standard Version is ambiguous. Laban’s question is probably addressed to himself, not to Jacob. He knows he cannot take his daughters back to Haran, and so he wonders aloud what he can do “for them,” “on their behalf.” The preposition may likewise mean “to them” (Revised Standard Version), that is, take some punishing action against them, or “about them” in the sense that Laban cannot take them back with him. Laban’s concern may or may not be genuine. See the next verse. Note Good News Translation‘s translation “But since I can do nothing to keep my daughters and their children….” In other languages this meaning is expressed as “I cannot hold on to my daughters…” or “I can’t take … away from you.” Bible en français courant translates more closely to the text: “But from today I won’t be able to do anything more for my daughters or the children they have given birth to.”

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 .