Genesis 31:48 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me today.” Therefore he named it Galeed,

NIV: Laban said, 'This heap is a witness between you and me today.' That is why it was called Galeed.

NASB: Laban said, 'This heap is a witness between you and me this day.' Therefore it was named Galeed,

CSB: Then Laban said, "This mound is a witness between you and me today." Therefore the place was called Galeed

NLT: Then Laban declared, 'This pile of stones will stand as a witness to remind us of the covenant we have made today.' This explains why it was called Galeed — 'Witness Pile.'

KJV: And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;

NKJV: And Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore its name was called Galeed,

Jacob and Laban are making a covenant together, establishing their peaceful separation. Jacob has been cheated and abused by Laban for the past twenty years, yet was able to prosper thanks to God's direct intervention (Genesis 31:10–12). Even Laban's own daughters, Jacob's wives, agree that their father is motivated by greed, and has no love for them (Genesis 31:14–16). As much as Laban might like to force Jacob to stay, he was explicitly warned by God not to interfere with Jacob (Genesis 31:24). So, the two clans have established an agreement, and markers to commemorate it. These verses explain the details of that arrangement.

Both groups have given the place of their meeting names which mean "cairn (or heap) of witness." Now Laban says that this heap of stones will serve as a witness to their agreement. Galeed is the Hebrew term for "cairn of stones," or "cairn of witness," which is equivalent to the Aramaic name given by Laban in the prior verse: Jegar-sahadutha. The following verse gives another Hebrew title for this important location.

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 4/28/2024 1:09:35 PM