Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
Why did you run away in secret and sneak off from me? Why didn't you tell me you were leaving, so I could have sent you away with joy and celebration, with music and dancing?
Laban is confronting Jacob, asking why he left secretly instead of allowing for a proper, joyful farewell celebration.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative, Jacob had been living and working for his uncle Laban in Haran for over 20 years, serving as a shepherd and building a family through marriages to Laban's daughters. Due to ongoing disputes over wages, where Laban repeatedly changed the terms of their agreement, Jacob felt compelled to flee secretly with his wives, children, and flocks to avoid potential conflict or retaliation. Laban, upon discovering Jacob's departure, pursued him and voiced his complaint in this verse, lamenting that he wasn't given the chance to send him off with a traditional celebration involving music and joy.
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