Genesis 31:45-54

45 So Jacob got a stone and set it up as a memorial.
46 He told his men to gather some rocks and pile them up. Then they ate a meal beside the pile of rocks.
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.
52 Both this pile and this memorial stone are reminders. I will never go beyond this pile to attack you, and you must never go beyond it or beyond this memorial stone to attack me.
53 The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor will judge between us." Then, in the name of the God whom his father Isaac worshiped, Jacob solemnly vowed to keep this promise.
54 He killed an animal, which he offered as a sacrifice on the mountain, and he invited his men to the meal. After they had eaten, they spent the night on the mountain.

Genesis 31:45-54 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 31

This chapter relates how that Jacob observing that Laban and his sons envied his prosperity, and having a call from God to return to his own country, acquaints his wives with it; and reports to them Laban's ill usage of him, and the wonderful appearance of God to him, and for him, and his orders to him to depart from thence, Ge 31:1-13; to which they agreed, knowing full well their father's unkindness, and that they had nothing to expect from him, and therefore judged it best to go off with what they had got through the gift of God unto them, Ge 31:14-16; upon which Jacob set out privately, with all he had, towards his own country, while Laban was shearing his sheep, Ge 31:17-21; three days after, Laban, being informed of it, pursued after Jacob, and overtook him at Mount Gilead; but was warned by the way to be cautious what he said to him, Ge 31:22-25; yet nevertheless he warmly expostulated with him about his secret flight, not giving him the opportunity of taking his leave of his children, and especially for taking away his gods, Ge 31:26-30; to which Jacob gave an answer, Ge 31:31-35; and in his turn was warm likewise, and chided Laban severely for his hot pursuit of him, his charge of stealth, when he could find nothing on him, his hard labour for the space of twenty years with him, and his ill requital of him for it, Ge 31:36-42; however, upon the whole, an amicable agreement was made between them, and they parted in a friendly manner, Ge 31:43-55.

Footnotes 4

  • [a]. jegar sahadutha: [This name in Aramaic means "a pile to remind us."]
  • [b]. galeed: [This name in Hebrew means "a pile to remind us."]
  • [c]. mizpah: [This name sounds like the Hebrew for "place from which to watch."]
  • [d]. abraham . . . nahor: [Abraham was Jacob's grandfather and Nahor was Laban's grandfather.]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.