Genesis 31:49

49 and 1Mizpah, for he said, "May the LORD watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other.

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 Now Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.
48 Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me this day." Therefore it was named Galeed,
49 and Mizpah, for he said, "May the LORD watch between you and me when we are absent one from the other.
50 "If you mistreat my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us, see, God is witness between you and me."
51 Laban said to Jacob, "Behold this heap and behold the pillar which I have set between you and me.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Judges 11:29; 1 Samuel 7:5, 6

Footnotes 3

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