Genesis 31:49

49 Laban also said, "May the Lord keep an eye on us while we are separated from each other." So the place was also named Mizpah.

Genesis 31:49 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:49

And Mizpah
Which being an Hebrew word, it looks as if the heap had also this name given it by Jacob, which signifies a "watch" or "watchtower"; though, by what follows, it seems to be given by Laban, who could speak Hebrew as well, as Syriac, or Chaldee: for he said, the Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent
one from another;
or "hid one from another" F17; when being at a distance, they could not see each other, or what one another did in agreement or disagreement with their present covenant: but he intimates, that the Lord sees and knows all things, and therefore imprecates that God would watch over them both, them and their actions, and bring upon them the evil or the good, according as their actions were, or as they broke or kept this covenant.


FOOTNOTES:

F17 (rton) "abscondemur", Montanus, Vatablus, Drusius; "absconditi erimus", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; so Ainsworth.

Genesis 31:49 In-Context

47 Laban named it Jegar Sahadutha, while Jacob named it Galeed.
48 Laban said to Jacob, "This pile of rocks will be a reminder for both of us." That is why that place was named Galeed.
49 Laban also said, "May the Lord keep an eye on us while we are separated from each other." So the place was also named Mizpah.
50 Laban went on, "If you mistreat my daughters or if you marry other women, even though I don't know about it, remember that God is watching us.
51 Here are the rocks that I have piled up between us, and here is the memorial stone.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. mizpah: [This name sounds like the Hebrew for "place from which to watch."]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.