Keraia
Genesis 31

Genesis 31:49

Jacob’s Covenant with Laban · Genesis 31:43–55
Read Genesis 31

Translations

Modern
It was also called Mizpah, because Laban said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are absent from each other.
Traditional
And Mizpah; for he said, The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
Literal
…and Mizpah, because he said, “May YHWH watch between me and between you when we are hidden one from another.
Latin
Intueatur et judicet Dominus inter nos quando recesserimus a nobis,

Original

Hebrew
English
It was also called Mizpah, because Laban said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are absent from each other.

Notes

Genesis 31:49

The pile of stones was also called Mizpah (which means “watchtower”). God would watch over Jacob and Laban to keep them apart, because they did not trust each other.

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

Places

Ramoth: City of refuge east of the Jordan

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Laban (Person) Mizpah 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: Names Given to Places where Made Laban: Pursues Jacob, Overtakes Him at Mount Gilead, and Covenants with Him Long Distance Relationships Missing Someone Stones: Memorial Pillars of