Genesis 31:51 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then Laban said to Jacob, “See this heap and the pillar, which I have set between you and me.

NIV: Laban also said to Jacob, 'Here is this heap, and here is this pillar I have set up between you and me.

NASB: Laban also said to Jacob, 'Behold this heap and behold the memorial stone which I have set between you and me.

CSB: Laban also said to Jacob, "Look at this mound and the marker I have set up between you and me.

NLT: See this pile of stones,' Laban continued, 'and see this monument I have set between us.

KJV: And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;

NKJV: Then Laban said to Jacob, “Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me.

The previous verses have described in detail the building of and naming of both the pillar and heap—or "cairn"—of stones. It has been stated quite clearly that the pile of stones is meant to serve as a witness of the covenant between Laban and Jacob. This covenant is meant to establish a formal, peaceful separation between the two men. Jacob has served Laban for some twenty years, enduring hard work in addition to Laban's outrageous acts of fraud and cheating. Comically, Laban has invoked God as a witness to Jacob's conduct in the future, as if Jacob, and not Laban, has shown a preference for greed over family over the last two decades.

Now Laban calls Jacob's attention to both the pillar and the heap once more. He is about to spell out in detail what the two of them are agreeing to. In short, this stone formation marks a boundary between them—neither will cross that spot with intent to do harm to the other. As long as they remain separated, they will be at peace.

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 4/29/2024 2:17:59 PM