Genesis 31:53

53 May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father judge between us." Then Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.

Genesis 31:53 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:53

The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their
father, judge between us
And the father of these was Terah, so that the god of them was not the true God, and is not meant, at least not as truly worshipped; but the god or gods of Terah, Nahor and Abraham worshipped while idolaters, and Laban still continued to do, though perhaps not in so gross a manner as some did: and Jacob swore by the fear of his father Isaac;
that is, by the true God his father Isaac feared, served, and worshipped: or "but Jacob" {r} which seems plainly to suggest, that the God whom Laban called upon to be a judge between them, should they break covenant, and swore by, and he whom Jacob swore by, were different; each swore by their own deities.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 (ebvyw) "sed juravit", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Genesis 31:53 In-Context

51 And Laban said to Jacob, "See, this pile of stones, and see the pillar that I have set up between me and you.

52 This pile of stones [is] a witness, and the pillar [is] a witness, that I will not pass beyond this pile of stones to you, and that you will not pass beyond this pile of stones and this pillar to me intending harm.

53 May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father judge between us." Then Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.

54 And Jacob sacrificed a sacrifice on the hill, and he called his kinsmen to eat the meal. And they ate the meal and spent the night on the hill.

55 And Laban arose early in the morning and kissed his grandsons and his daughters, and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his homeland.

Footnotes

• [a]. That is, Terah