Genesis 31:53

53 The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us. ” So Jacob swore by the ¹Fear 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 Then Laban said to Jacob, “See this heap and the pillar, which I have set between you and me.

52 This heap is a witness, and the pillar is a witness, that I will not pass over this heap to you, and you will not pass over this heap and this pillar to me, to do harm.

53 The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us. ” So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac,

54 and Jacob offered a sacrifice in the hill country and called his kinsmen to eat bread. They ate bread and spent the night in the hill country.

55 Early in the morning Laban arose and kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned home.

Cross References

• 1. 31:53 ver. 42