Komentaryong Sumisipi para sa Genesis 31:37

AND JACOB WAS WROTH, AND QUARRELLED WITH LABAN. Jacob had originally given him permission to search the tents, for he said, With whomsoever thou findest thy gods,²²⁶Verse 26 here. and he further said, before our brethren recognize what is thine with me,²²⁶Verse 26 here. and how could Laban find it if not by searching and handling? At first, however, Jacob feared lest one of the wives or servants had stolen Laban’s gods, and now that he saw that they were not with them his anger was aroused, for he said, “He did not lose his gods, only he is seeking a quarrel with me.”²²⁷Judges 14:4. So he said, “Why have you hotly pursued after me as one pursues a thief? You have not found in my possession anything of all thy household stuff²²⁸Verse 37 here. though I was entitled to take from you all I could for you have changed my hire ten times,²²⁹Verse 41 here. and you demanded of me recompense for the animals that were torn by beasts,²³⁰Verse 39 here. and I paid you, though not legally by law required to do so.”

ויוכח אמש, “when He reproved you last night.” Rashi understands the word יוכח as a derivative of תוכחה, rebuke, and not as a derivative of הוכחה, proof. It is more likely that the word has the same meaning as in 31,37 ויוכיחו בין שנינו, “and let them judge between us.” At this point Yaakov says that the G’d Who is aware of all the things that are hidden from man, has intervened and shown who is upright and who is not. Proof that this is the correct interpretation is that Yaakov did not say ויוכח אותך אמש, “and He has judged you last night.”

‘VAYOCHACH’ YESTERNIGHT. “The word here has the meaning of ‘reproof’ [and he reproved] and not of ‘clarification.’” These are the words of Rashi. But is is more correct to say that it is an expression meaning “clarification.” Since Jacob said above, ‘veyochichu’ (that they may judge) between us both,²²⁸Verse 37 here. he now said that it is G-d, Who knows the hidden secrets, Who should clarify the dispute between the two of them. This is why Jacob did not say, vayochach othcha emesh, [which would mean, “and He reproved ‘thee’ yesternight,” for the meaning of the word is not “rebuke” but “clarify”].