Genesis 31:44 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Come now, let us make a covenant, you and I. And let it be a witness between you and me."

NIV: Come now, let’s make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us."

NASB: So now come, let’s make a covenant, you and I, and it shall be a witness between you and me.'

CSB: Come now, let’s make a covenant, you and I. Let it be a witness between the two of us."

NLT: So come, let’s make a covenant, you and I, and it will be a witness to our commitment.'

KJV: Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.

NKJV: Now therefore, come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me.”

Jacob and Laban have both, apparently, said what they needed to say. Jacob has made the case that he served Laban faithfully and honestly for twenty years. Only the Lord's protection and blessing kept Laban's mistreatment from leaving Jacob with nothing (Genesis 31:10–12). Laban has confirmed that he believes he has the legal right to Jacob's wives, children, flocks, and possessions, since all were acquired while Jacob was a kind of indentured servant belonging to Laban. Laban has conceded, however, that he can do nothing to claim what he sees as rightfully his because Jacob's God has warned Laban, in essence, to leave Jacob alone (Genesis 31:24).

Now Laban suggests they make a covenant to fully resolve their dispute. In part, the point of this covenant will be to establish a permanent separation between Laban and Jacob. Laban knows that he cannot compete against the blessing and protection of Jacob's God. He decides it will be better to simply keep his distance from now on and to keep Jacob from returning to claim any more of his property or inheritance.

Genesis 31:43–55 describes the final agreement reached between Jacob and Laban. Laban declares that he will not claim his right to Jacob's wives and children and property. Instead, he and Jacob agree to make a covenant of separation and peace. They build a heap of stones, swear oaths, conduct a sacrifice, and eat a meal together. Finally, Laban kisses his daughters and grandchildren goodbye and rides back to his home. Jacob and his family turn to face the Promised Land.

Genesis 31 describes Jacob's difficult separation from Laban, his father-in-law, as well as his boss for twenty years. During that time, Jacob was routinely mistreated and cheated by his master. Commanded by God to return to the land of Canaan, Jacob packs up his wives, children, and all of his possessions and leaves without telling Laban. Laban soon catches up with the large company. Laban and Jacob confront each other bitterly. Eventually, though, they make a covenant of separation and peace.

Genesis 30 described the dramatic expansion of Jacob's family and property. Now, after twenty years of working for Laban, the time comes for Jacob to return to his own people. He attempts to sneak away without telling Laban, but Laban soon catches up with him. After bitter confrontations, father and son-in-law make a covenant of separation and peace. Jacob is finally free to begin the next chapter of his life in the Promised Land. First, though, he will need to deal with his brother Esau, whose rage was the main reason Jacob fled in the first place. That encounter is described over the following two chapters.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 12/4/2024 3:40:18 AM