Genesis 31:47 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.

NIV: Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed.

NASB: Now Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.

CSB: Laban named the mound Jegar-sahadutha, but Jacob named it Galeed.

NLT: To commemorate the event, Laban called the place Jegar-sahadutha (which means 'witness pile' in Aramaic), and Jacob called it Galeed (which means 'witness pile' in Hebrew).

KJV: And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.

NKJV: Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.

Jacob fled from Laban, along with his wives and family, in response to some twenty years of cheating and abuse at the hands of his father-in-law. Laban caught up with Jacob and accused him of abducting his daughters—Jacob's wives—and of stealing Laban's household idols. When a search for the idols came up empty, Jacob clearly described Laban's dishonesty and greed as his reasons for leaving. Laban disagrees, but has been warned directly by God not to interfere with Jacob (Genesis 31:24). The two men make a pact to establish their separation.

The covenant between Jacob and Laban, and their respective clans, has been marked by both a pillar and a pile of stones, as well as a ceremonial meal eaten together. Now the covenant is marked by naming the location. Laban has been referred to as an Aramean, and his name for the place is Aramaic: Jegar-sahadutha. Jacob calls it Galeed, in Hebrew. Both names mean "cairn of stones" or "cairn of witness."

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 5/5/2024 11:31:51 PM