Genesis 31:49 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and Mizpah, for he said, “The LORD watch between you and me, when we are out of one another’s sight.

NIV: It was also called Mizpah, because he said, 'May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.

NASB: and Mizpah, for he said, 'May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other.

CSB: and also Mizpah, for he said, "May the Lord watch between you and me when we are out of each other's sight.

NLT: But it was also called Mizpah (which means 'watchtower'), for Laban said, 'May the Lord keep watch between us to make sure that we keep this covenant when we are out of each other’s sight.

KJV: And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.

NKJV: also Mizpah, because he said, “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another.

Jacob and Laban and their kinsmen have heaped up a pile of stones to serve as a permanent witness to the covenant they're about to make together. This formally separates the two camps, leaving no obligations from one to the other. Both have given the place a name which means "cairn of stones" or "cairn of witness."

Now Laban also gives the place a second name, or possibly refers to an existing name for this location. Mizpah is a Hebrew word meaning "watchtower." Laban indicated it as a prayer of sorts that the Lord would watch the behavior of both parties to ensure they stick to the agreement once they are out of sight of each other.

This stipulation is almost comical, coming from Laban. The entire reason Jacob left, taking his wives, children, and flocks, is that Laban has repeatedly cheated, lied, and manipulated him. For some twenty years, Jacob and his family—including Laban's own daughters (Genesis 31:14–16)—have suffered for the sake of Laban's greed. But now, Laban invokes God as a witness, as if Jacob is the one who need to be monitored and held in check.

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 8:49:45 AM