Bible Commentary

The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us. And Jacob swore by the fear of his father Isaac. 53. The God of Abraham Nahor ] The verb “judge” is in the plural. See note on Gen 20:13 for the rare use of the plural verb with … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:53”

This heap [be] witness, and [this] pillar [be] witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm. 52. This heap be witnessObjectsof nature were frequently thus spoken of. But over and above, therewas a solemn appeal to … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:52”

And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold [this] pillar, which I have cast between me and thee; 51. heap set ] Jacob had caused the heap to be collected; Laban had erected the pillar: see note on Gen 31:45. Two compacts are made: (1) Jacob will not ill-treat Laban’s daughters, Gen 31:50; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:51”

If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take [other] wives beside my daughters, no man [is] with us; see, God [is] witness between me and thee. 50. wives beside my daughters ] So that Leah and Rachel may not be exposed to the risk of any indignity. “Afflict,” cf. “dealt hardly” (Gen … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:50”

And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. 49. Mizpah ] That is, The watch-tower. Cf. Jdg 11:29, “Mizpeh of Gilead,” and Gen 31:34, “Mizpah.” Probably a common name for a height. The mention of this name comes in very abruptly at this point, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:49”

And Laban said, This heap [is] a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed; 48. Therefore was the name, &c.] A popular etymology thus accounted for the name “Gilead” by derivation from “Galeed.” Probably, some well-known “cairn” on the hill-frontier of Gilead was the reputed scene of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:48”

And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed. 47. And Laban called it ] This verse, which anticipates and does not agree with Gen 31:48-49, must be a learned gloss. Laban the Syrian (cf. Gen 31:20, Gen 28:5) gives an Aramaic name, Jacob the Hebrew gives a Hebrew name. In the region of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:47”

And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap. 46. his brethren ] i.e. his followers and companions; see Gen 31:23 ; Gen 31:32. an heap ] Heb. gal. What we should now call a “cairn,” on the top of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:46”

And Jacob took a stone, and set it up [for] a pillar. 45. Jacob ] The name “Jacob” is here almost certainly a gloss. We should read either “and he took a stone,” or “and Laban took a stone.” In Gen 31:51 Laban says that he set up the pillar or mabah. Laban erects the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:45”

Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee. 44. a covenant ] Cf. Gen 26:28. a witness ] Heb. ‘ed. This word gives the keynote to the transaction, and introduces the play on the word Gilead in Gen 31:47. But … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 31:44”