Genesis 31:46

Translations

Modern

…and he said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.” So they took stones and made a mound, and there by the mound they ate.

Traditional

And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.

Literal

And Jacob said to his brothers, “Gather stones.” And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there on the heap.

Latin

…dixitque fratribus suis: Afferte lapides. Qui congregantes fecerunt tumulum, comederuntque super eum:

Original

Hebrew

English

…and he said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.” So they took stones and made a mound, and there by the mound they ate.

Notes

Genesis 31:45–48

The stone and the pillar marked the border agreement between the two men. It was a witness for future generations. Each man named the monument witness in his own language. It became the lasting border between Israel and the kingdom of Aram (Syria), two nations often at war.

Genesis 29:1–31:55

These chapters describe how God fulfilled his promise by greatly blessing Jacob with a family and possessions. God also disciplined Jacob, leaving him to struggle with Laban for many years. Laban was Jacob’s match in deception, and thus a means of correction.
The story of Jacob and Laban is similar to Israel's later stay in Egypt. Jacob struggled while serving his uncle but finally emerged with a large family (the founders of the 12 tribes) and great wealth. In Egypt, the Israelites suffered under their oppressors, but they also flourished, becoming a great nation of 12 large tribes and escaping with great riches.

Theme notes and profiles

Arameans Jacob Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Ecclesiastes 3:5
…a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
Genesis 31:32
If you find your gods with anyone here, he shall not live! In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself if anything is yours, and take it back.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols.
Joshua 4:5–9
…and said to them, “Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of Israel,
Genesis 31:23
So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead.
Joshua 7:26
And they heaped over Achan a large pile of rocks that remains to this day. So the LORD turned from His burning anger. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Achor to this day.
2 Samuel 18:17
They took Absalom, cast him into a large pit in the forest, and piled a huge mound of stones over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled, each to his home.
Joshua 4:20–24
And there at Gilgal Joshua set up the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan.
Genesis 31:37
You have searched all my goods! Have you found anything that belongs to you? Put it here before my brothers and yours, that they may judge between the two of us.
Genesis 31:54
Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and invited his relatives to eat a meal. And after they had eaten, they spent the night on the mountain.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Laban (Person) Nathanael Patriarchs, Period of the

Topics

Contracts by Erecting a Heap of Stones Covenant of Men with Men by a Monument Covenant: Jacob and Laban Covenants: Pillars Raised in Token of Laban: Pursues Jacob, Overtakes Him at Mount Gilead, and Covenants with Him Stones: Memorial Pillars of

Genesis 31:46

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