Genesis 31 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Genesis 31 meaning explained in AI Summary

Jacob decides to leave Laban's household and return to his own land. He secretly gathers his family and possessions and flees. Laban pursues Jacob and catches up with him at Mount Gilead. However, God warns Laban not to harm Jacob, and they make a covenant of peace.

Jacob, after serving Laban for 20 years, decides to secretly leave and return to his homeland. of the chapter:

Jacob's Decision and Departure (Verses 1-21):

Jacob overhears Laban's sons complaining about him, saying he's gotten rich at their expense.
God appears to Jacob and tells him to return to his homeland.
Jacob gathers his wives, Leah and Rachel, and tells them about Laban's deceit and God's command.
They agree to leave, and while Laban is away shearing sheep, Jacob takes his family and possessions and flees.

Laban's Pursuit (Verses 22-42):

Laban finds out about Jacob's departure three days later and sets out in pursuit with his relatives.
God appears to Laban in a dream and warns him not to harm Jacob.
Laban catches up to Jacob and confronts him about leaving secretly and stealing his household gods (teraphim).

The Covenant at Galeed (Verses 43-55):

Jacob defends himself, saying he served Laban faithfully and was treated unfairly.
Rachel, who had taken the household gods, hides them and denies stealing.
Unable to find the idols, Laban and Jacob make a covenant of peace.
They build a pillar of stones and share a meal as a sign of their agreement.
Laban blesses his daughters and grandchildren and returns home, while Jacob continues his journey.

Key Themes:

Family Conflict: The chapter highlights the complex and strained relationships within Jacob's extended family, marked by rivalry, deceit, and manipulation.
Divine Guidance: God plays a significant role, guiding Jacob's actions and protecting him from Laban's anger.
Covenant and Reconciliation: Despite the conflict, the chapter ends with a covenant of peace, emphasizing the importance of reconciliation and peaceful separation.

This chapter marks a turning point in Jacob's life. He leaves behind the deception and hardship he faced in Haran and embarks on a new chapter, returning to his homeland to face his brother Esau.

Genesis 31 bible study ai commentary

Genesis 31 chronicles the dramatic and tense separation of Jacob from his duplicitous father-in-law, Laban. Guided by God's direct command and fueled by twenty years of accumulated grievances, Jacob flees with his family and flocks. The narrative climaxes in a pursuit, a divine intervention that restrains Laban's wrath, and a contentious confrontation that ends not in reconciliation but in a covenant of separation. The chapter underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, protecting and prospering Jacob despite human treachery, and marks Jacob's definitive turn from his Mesopotamian past toward his destiny in the Promised Land.

Genesis 31 Context

The events occur after Jacob has served Laban for twenty years in Haran (in Mesopotamia). This culture was polytheistic, with household gods (teraphim) playing a significant role not just in worship, but potentially in securing inheritance rights and legal claims. Socially, a father was obligated to provide a dowry for his daughters; by taking their bride price for himself, Laban had effectively disinherited them, treating them as foreigners. Covenants were sealed with oaths, witnesses (often heaps of stones), and a shared meal, creating a legally and spiritually binding agreement. The narrative contrasts the powerless, portable gods of Laban with the omnipresent, covenant-keeping God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Genesis 31:1-3

And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory. And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.

In-depth-analysis

Threefold Motivation: Jacob’s departure is prompted by three factors, moving from human to divine.
1. Gossip (v. 1): The jealousy of Laban's sons, who see Jacob's God-given prosperity as theft of their inheritance. The Hebrew word for "glory" here is kavod, meaning wealth, honour, and substance.
2. Observation (v. 2): Jacob observes Laban’s "countenance" (panim, meaning face or presence) has changed. The relationship has soured visibly.
3. Revelation (v. 3): God gives a direct, unambiguous command to "Return." This provides divine sanction for Jacob's flight, elevating it from an escape to an act of obedience.
The Promise Renewed: God’s closing words, "I will be with thee," directly echo and confirm the foundational promise given to Jacob at Bethel (Gen 28:15). It is the guarantee of success and protection for the journey ahead.

Bible references

Gen 28:15: "...I am with you and will keep you wherever you go... for I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Direct fulfillment of the Bethel promise)
Deu 31:8: "It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you..." (The nature of God's presence with his people)
Isa 43:2: "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you..." (The assurance of God's presence in trial)

Cross references

Gen 30:42-43 (Jacob's prosperity), Psa 105:13-14 (God's protection of patriarchs), Act 7:5 (God's promise of land), Heb 13:5 (God will never leave us).

Genesis 31:4-13

So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to his flock in the field, and said to them, “I see that your father's face is not toward me as before. But the God of my father has been with me. Your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not permit him to harm me... Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me. In the breeding season of the flock I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream... And the angel of God said to me in the dream, ...'I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me.'"

In-depth-analysis

Field Council: Jacob consults his wives in the field, a neutral space away from Laban’s household, ensuring privacy and showing respect for their stake in the decision.
Jacob's Testimony: He presents his case by contrasting Laban's deceit with God's faithfulness.
- Laban's Deceit: "Changed my wages ten times" is a Hebrew idiom for "repeatedly and constantly."
- God's Sovereignty: "God did not permit him to harm me." Jacob explicitly credits God's intervention, not his own cunning, for protecting his interests. God justly transferred wealth from the deceitful Laban to the diligent Jacob.
The Dream Revelation: Jacob reveals a prior dream where the "angel of God" explains that the miraculous breeding results were His doing. This reframes the events of Genesis 30:37-42; Jacob's folk methods were secondary to God’s direct, miraculous intervention.
"The God of Bethel": God identifies Himself by the place of covenant, reminding Jacob of his vow and God's corresponding promises. This provides the historical and spiritual anchor for Jacob’s present obedience.

Bible references

Gen 28:20-22: "Then Jacob made a vow, saying, 'If God will be with me... then the LORD shall be my God...'" (The original vow God references)
Deu 24:15: "You shall give him his wages on the same day... lest he cry against you to the LORD..." (The Mosaic law codifies the injustice Laban committed)
Mal 3:5: "I will be a swift witness against... those who oppress the hired worker in his wages..." (God’s position as a judge for the oppressed)

Cross references

Psa 37:28 (God does not forsake His saints), Psa 121:7 (The Lord will keep you from all evil), Mal 3:8 (robbing God, in contrast to Laban robbing man).

Genesis 31:14-16

Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, “Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father's house? Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and has also completely consumed our money. All the wealth that God has taken from our father is ours and our children's. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do.”

In-depth-analysis

Unified Support: For the first time, Rachel and Leah are in complete agreement, united against their father.
Legal & Emotional Grievance: They articulate two primary complaints:
1. "Sold us": Laban kept the bride price for himself rather than using it as a dowry for them, essentially trafficking them for 20 years of Jacob's labor.
2. "Regarded... as foreigners": By denying them their inheritance portion (cheleq) and consuming their bride-price money (keseph), Laban has severed familial bonds and treated them as outsiders.
Theological Realignment: They validate Jacob’s perspective, affirming that the wealth was taken by God from their father and justly belongs to their family. Their loyalty is now fully with Jacob and his God.

Bible references

Gen 29:27: "Complete the week of this one, and we will give you the other also in return for serving me another seven years." (The original "sale" of the daughters)
1 Tim 6:10: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil..." (Laban’s greed as the root of this family destruction)

Cross references

Num 27:8 (inheritance laws), Pro 15:27 (he who is greedy for gain troubles his own house), Eph 5:28 (husbands should love wives as their own bodies).

Genesis 31:17-21

So Jacob arose and set his sons and his wives on camels. He drove away all his livestock, all his property that he had gained... to go to the land of Canaan to his father Isaac. Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father's household gods.

In-depth-analysis

The Flight: Jacob’s departure is swift and decisive. The mention of camels signifies wealth and the ability to travel long distances.
The Theft of the Teraphim: This is the most enigmatic act in the chapter. Teraphim were household idols, likely small humanoid figures. Rachel's motives are debated:
- Pagan Piety: A lingering attachment to her family's gods for protection.
- Financial/Legal Claim: A belief that possessing them secured a claim to Laban’s inheritance. Some scholars point to Nuzi texts where possessing the family gods could signify headship of the family.
- Sabotage: To prevent Laban from using them for divination to discover their escape route.
- Polemics: The narrative may be using this act to ultimately show the impotence and foolishness of these idols compared to the God of Jacob.

Cross references

Exo 20:3 (no other gods), Jdg 17:5 (Micah's household gods), 1 Sam 15:23 (rebellion is as the sin of divination/teraphim), Hos 3:4 (Israel without teraphim).

Genesis 31:22-30

When it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled, he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him... and he overtook him in the hill country of Gilead. But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” ... And Laban said... “Why did you flee secretly...? I have power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night... And now you have gone away... but why did you steal my gods?”

In-depth-analysis

The Pursuit: The three-day delay gave Jacob a significant head start, but Laban’s determined pursuit over seven days demonstrates his fury. He gathers "kinsmen" as a show of force.
Divine Restraint: God's intervention in the dream is decisive. The command "Be careful not to say anything... either good or bad" (Heb. min-tov ad-ra') is an idiom meaning "do not interfere at all" or "do not presume to negotiate." It effectively places Jacob under divine protection.
Laban’s Hypocrisy: Laban confronts Jacob, feigning hurt feelings about a farewell kiss, but immediately reveals his true intent: "I have power to do you harm." He openly admits that only a warning from Jacob’s God stopped him.
The Climax Accusation: Laban’s final question, "Why did you steal my gods?" reveals his primary concern. His wealth is gone and so are his sources of spiritual/magical power.

Bible references

Psa 105:14-15: "He allowed no one to oppress them; for their sakes he rebuked kings, saying, 'Touch not my anointed ones...'" (God's protective intervention for the patriarchs)
Num 22:12: "But God said to Balaam, 'You shall not go with them. You shall not curse the people, for they are blessed.'" (Similar divine restraint on an enemy of Israel)
Matt 2:13: "...an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, 'Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt...'" (God using dreams to protect his chosen)

Cross references

Job 33:15-17 (God speaks in dreams to turn man from his deed), Psa 124:2-3 (If the LORD had not been on our side), 1Sa 19:24 (God's spirit restrains Saul).

Genesis 31:31-35

Jacob answered and said to Laban, “Because I was afraid... But with whomever you find your gods, he shall not live..." (Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.) ... But Rachel had taken the household gods and put them in the camel's saddle and sat on them. And Laban searched all the tent but did not find them... She said to her father, “Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise before you, for the way of women is upon me.”

In-depth-analysis

Jacob's Fear and Integrity: Jacob answers the first charge honestly ("I was afraid") but is unknowingly reckless on the second, pronouncing a death sentence on the idol thief. His ignorance saves Rachel from his own curse.
Irony and Deception: The scene is rich with irony. The "all-seeing" idols are easily hidden. Rachel, the beloved wife, is the deceitful one.
Rachel's Cunning: She uses a brilliant, culturally irrefutable excuse. The "way of women" (her menstrual cycle) would have made her ritually unclean, and it would be a grave taboo for Laban to approach her or disturb her belongings, thus ending the search.
Polemics: This scene is a powerful polemic against idolatry. The teraphim are rendered powerless, impotent, and are literally desecrated by being sat upon by a woman considered unclean, showing their utter worthlessness.

Bible references

Lev 15:19-20: "When a woman has a discharge... everything on which she sits shall be unclean." (The cultural and religious basis for Rachel's excuse)
Jos 7:15: "...he who is taken with the devoted things shall be burned with fire..." (The seriousness of taking forbidden/devoted items, which Jacob’s curse reflects)
Pro 19:5: "A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape." (Divine justice for deception, from which Rachel is only temporarily spared)

Genesis 31:36-42

Then Jacob became angry and berated Laban... “For these twenty years I have been with you... I did not eat the rams of your flock... What was torn by beasts I bore the loss of myself. You required it at my hand... In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes. ...you have changed my wages ten times. If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed."

In-depth-analysis

Jacob's Righteous Anger: Having been vindicated of theft, Jacob unleashes twenty years of pent-up frustration. His speech is a powerful testimony of his integrity as a shepherd, contrasting with Laban’s exploitation.
Bearing the Loss: Under ANE custom (e.g., Code of Hammurabi), a shepherd was not liable for animals killed by predators if he could prove it. Jacob went beyond his duty, personally absorbing these losses.
"The Fear of Isaac" (Pachad Yitschaq): This unique divine title appears only here. It likely refers to the awesome, terrifying God whom Isaac revered, possibly recalling the awe of his deliverance at the Akedah (Genesis 22). It portrays God as a formidable protector and judge.
Final Credit: Jacob again gives God full credit for his survival and success. Without God, he would have left with nothing.

Bible references

Exo 22:12-13: "...if it is torn by beasts, let him bring it as evidence. He shall not make restitution for what has been torn." (The law highlighting Jacob's extraordinary service)
Isa 8:13: "But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." (The concept of fearing God)
Psa 124:1-2: "If it had not been the LORD who was on our side... then they would have swallowed us up alive..." (Jacob’s testimony echoed in a psalm)

Genesis 31:43-55

Laban answered and said to Jacob... “let us make a covenant, I and you. And let it be a witness between you and me.” So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. And Jacob said... “Gather stones.” And they made a heap and ate there by the heap. Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed... Laban said... “The LORD watch between you and me, when we are out of one another's sight... If you oppress my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters... God is witness between you and me... This heap is a witness... that I will not pass over this heap to you, and you will not pass over this heap... to me, for harm.”... Early in the morning Laban arose and kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned home.

In-depth-analysis

Laban's Face-Saving: Unable to refute Jacob, Laban changes the subject by proposing a non-aggression pact, attempting to regain control of the situation. His claim "The daughters are my daughters..." is a weak attempt to assert authority.
Witness Heap & Pillar: They erect two stone witnesses: a pillar (matzevah), set up by Jacob, and a heap (gal), built by the group. This was a standard ANE practice for treaty-making.
A Tale of Two Tongues: The names given to the heap highlight their separation. Laban uses Aramaic (Jegar-sahadutha), his native tongue, while Jacob uses Hebrew (Galeed), the language of Canaan. It's a linguistic border marking a cultural and geographical divide. Both mean "Heap of Witness."
The Mizpah Benediction: "The LORD watch between you and me..." (Mizpah means "watchtower"). This is not a blessing of fellowship, but a "cease-fire" agreement born of mutual distrust. It essentially says, "Since I can't trust you, may God enforce this boundary when we can't see each other."
Final Parting: The treaty is made, and Laban finally returns home. The separation is complete. Jacob is now free to face his destiny in Canaan.

Bible references

Gen 28:18: "So Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up for a pillar..." (Jacob repeats the action of setting a pillar, connecting this covenant to his one with God)
Jos 24:27: "And Joshua said to all the people, 'Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words of the LORD...'" (The use of stones as witnesses in Israelite tradition)
1 Sam 20:42: "And Jonathan said to David, 'Go in peace, because we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD shall be between me and you...'" (A similar, but far more positive, use of God as the witness between two people)

Cross references

Jos 22:27 (witness altar), Gen 21:30-31 (covenant between Abraham and Abimelech), Rom 1:9 (Paul calls God as his witness).

Genesis chapter 31 analysis

The Teraphim: The narrative's treatment of the teraphim is a powerful undercurrent. While Rachel's motives are ambiguous, the result is a mockery of idolatry. These supposed "gods," which Laban seeks with frantic anger, are rendered powerless and are ceremonially defiled by Rachel's deception. The story implicitly argues for the futility of man-made idols in contrast to the active, speaking, and protecting God of Jacob.
God's Sovereignty in Conflict: The entire chapter is a case study in divine sovereignty. God doesn't prevent conflict but works through it. He permits Laban's deception but sets its limits. He allows Jacob to flee but protects him from Laban's retaliation. He orchestrates a transfer of wealth that is just, despite the flawed human methods involved.
"The Fear of Isaac" (Pachad Yitschaq): This unique name for God used by Jacob emphasizes God’s awe-inspiring power and authority. In a context of human fear (Jacob's fear of Laban), Jacob appeals to a greater, more holy fear—the reverential dread of the covenant God who had proven Himself to his father Isaac. This name acts as a counterpoint to Laban's powerless, stolen gods.
A Covenant of Mistrust (Mizpah): The covenant at Galeed/Mizpah is notable because it is not about fellowship but about separation and deterrence. Unlike covenants rooted in friendship (David and Jonathan) or mutual need (Abraham and Abimelech), this one is a boundary marker born from years of conflict. "May the LORD watch" is a warning to parties who do not trust each other to police their own behavior.

Genesis 31 summary

Commanded by God, Jacob flees Laban’s service with his family and wealth. Laban pursues in a rage but is warned by God in a dream not to harm Jacob. A tense search for stolen household idols (hidden by Rachel) proves fruitless, leading to Jacob's angry, cathartic speech detailing two decades of Laban's deceit and his own integrity. The encounter concludes not with reconciliation but with a covenant of separation, marked by a heap of stones called Galeed, creating a firm boundary. Jacob is finally free from his Mesopotamian entanglement, turning fully toward Canaan and the fulfillment of God’s promises.

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Genesis 31 AI Image Audio and Video

Genesis chapter 31 kjv

¹ And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory.
² And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
³ And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.
⁴ And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,
⁵ And said unto them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.
⁶ And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.
⁷ And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.
⁸ If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ring-streaked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ring-streaked.
⁹ Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.
¹⁰ And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ring-streaked, speckled, and grizzled.
¹¹ And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.
¹² And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ring-streaked, speckled, and grizzled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.
¹³ I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.
¹⁴ And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?
¹⁵ Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.
¹⁶ For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children's: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.
¹⁷ Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;
¹⁸ And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padanaram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.
¹⁹ And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's.
²⁰ And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.
²¹ So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.
²² And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.
²³ And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.
²⁴ And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.
²⁵ Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.
²⁶ And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword?
²⁷ Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
²⁸ And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.
²⁹ It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.
³⁰ And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?
³¹ And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.
³² With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.
³³ And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.
³⁴ Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.
³⁵ And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched but found not the images.
³⁶ And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?
³⁷ Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.
³⁸ This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.
³⁹ That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.
⁴⁰ Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.
⁴¹ Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.
⁴² Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
⁴³ And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?
⁴⁴ Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.
⁴⁵ And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.
⁴⁶ And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.
⁴⁷ And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.
⁴⁸ And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;
⁴⁹ And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
⁵⁰ 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 betwixt me and thee.
⁵¹ And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee:
⁵² 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.
⁵³ The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.
⁵⁴ Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
⁵⁵ And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.

Genesis chapter 31 nkjv

¹ Now Jacob heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, "Jacob has taken away all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has acquired all this wealth."
² And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before.
³ Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you."
⁴ So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field, to his flock,
⁵ and said to them, "I see your father's countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me.
⁶ And you know that with all my might I have served your father.
⁷ Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me.
⁸ If he said thus: 'The speckled shall be your wages,' then all the flocks bore speckled. And if he said thus: 'The streaked shall be your wages,' then all the flocks bore streaked.
⁹ So God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.
¹⁰ "And it happened, at the time when the flocks conceived, that I lifted my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the rams which leaped upon the flocks were streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted.
¹¹ Then the Angel of God spoke to me in a dream, saying, 'Jacob.' And I said, 'Here I am.'
¹² And He said, 'Lift your eyes now and see, all the rams which leap on the flocks are streaked, speckled, and gray-spotted; for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you.
¹³ I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.' "
¹⁴ Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, "Is there still any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?
¹⁵ Are we not considered strangers by him? For he has sold us, and also completely consumed our money.
¹⁶ For all these riches which God has taken from our father are really ours and our children's; now then, whatever God has said to you, do it."
¹⁷ Then Jacob rose and set his sons and his wives on camels.
¹⁸ And he carried away all his livestock and all his possessions which he had gained, his acquired livestock which he had gained in Padan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.
¹⁹ Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel had stolen the household idols that were her father's.
²⁰ And Jacob stole away, unknown to Laban the Syrian, in that he did not tell him that he intended to flee.
²¹ So he fled with all that he had. He arose and crossed the river, and headed toward the mountains of Gilead.
²² And Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled.
²³ Then he took his brethren with him and pursued him for seven days' journey, and he overtook him in the mountains of Gilead.
²⁴ But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, "Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad."
²⁵ So Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mountains, and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mountains of Gilead.
²⁶ And Laban said to Jacob: "What have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword?
²⁷ Why did you flee away secretly, and steal away from me, and not tell me; for I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp?
²⁸ And you did not allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters. Now you have done foolishly in so doing.
²⁹ It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, 'Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.'
³⁰ And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father's house, but why did you steal my gods?"
³¹ Then Jacob answered and said to Laban, "Because I was afraid, for I said, 'Perhaps you would take your daughters from me by force.'
³² With whomever you find your gods, do not let him live. In the presence of our brethren, identify what I have of yours and take it with you." For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.
³³ And Laban went into Jacob's tent, into Leah's tent, and into the two maids' tents, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah's tent and entered Rachel's tent.
³⁴ Now Rachel had taken the household idols, put them in the camel's saddle, and sat on them. And Laban searched all about the tent but did not find them.
³⁵ And she said to her father, "Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is with me." And he searched but did not find the household idols.
³⁶ Then Jacob was angry and rebuked Laban, and Jacob answered and said to Laban: "What is my trespass? What is my sin, that you have so hotly pursued me?
³⁷ Although you have searched all my things, what part of your household things have you found? Set it here before my brethren and your brethren, that they may judge between us both!
³⁸ These twenty years I have been with you; your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried their young, and I have not eaten the rams of your flock.
³⁹ That which was torn by beasts I did not bring to you; I bore the loss of it. You required it from my hand, whether stolen by day or stolen by night.
⁴⁰ There I was! In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night, and my sleep departed from my eyes.
⁴¹ Thus I have been in your house twenty years; I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times.
⁴² Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night."
⁴³ And Laban answered and said to Jacob, "These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and this flock is my flock; all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day to these my daughters or to their children whom they have borne?
⁴⁴ Now therefore, come, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it be a witness between you and me."
⁴⁵ So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar.
⁴⁶ Then Jacob said to his brethren, "Gather stones." And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there on the heap.
⁴⁷ Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.
⁴⁸ And Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me this day." Therefore its name was called Galeed,
⁴⁹ also Mizpah, because he said, "May the LORD watch between you and me when we are absent one from another.
⁵⁰ If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us?see, God is witness between you and me!"
⁵¹ Then Laban said to Jacob, "Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me.
⁵² This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass beyond this heap to you, and you will not pass beyond this heap and this pillar to me, for harm.
⁵³ The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us." And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.
⁵⁴ Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, and called his brethren to eat bread. And they ate bread and stayed all night on the mountain.
⁵⁵ And early in the morning Laban arose, and kissed his sons and daughters and blessed them. Then Laban departed and returned to his place.

Genesis chapter 31 niv

¹ Jacob heard that Laban's sons were saying, "Jacob has taken everything our father owned and has gained all this wealth from what belonged to our father."
² And Jacob noticed that Laban's attitude toward him was not what it had been.
³ Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you."
⁴ So Jacob sent word to Rachel and Leah to come out to the fields where his flocks were.
⁵ He said to them, "I see that your father's attitude toward me is not what it was before, but the God of my father has been with me.
⁶ You know that I've worked for your father with all my strength,
⁷ yet your father has cheated me by changing my wages ten times. However, God has not allowed him to harm me.
⁸ If he said, 'The speckled ones will be your wages,' then all the flocks gave birth to speckled young; and if he said, 'The streaked ones will be your wages,' then all the flocks bore streaked young.
⁹ So God has taken away your father's livestock and has given them to me.
¹⁰ "In breeding season I once had a dream in which I looked up and saw that the male goats mating with the flock were streaked, speckled or spotted.
¹¹ The angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob.' I answered, 'Here I am.'
¹² And he said, 'Look up and see that all the male goats mating with the flock are streaked, speckled or spotted, for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you.
¹³ I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.'?"
¹⁴ Then Rachel and Leah replied, "Do we still have any share in the inheritance of our father's estate?
¹⁵ Does he not regard us as foreigners? Not only has he sold us, but he has used up what was paid for us.
¹⁶ Surely all the wealth that God took away from our father belongs to us and our children. So do whatever God has told you."
¹⁷ Then Jacob put his children and his wives on camels,
¹⁸ and he drove all his livestock ahead of him, along with all the goods he had accumulated in Paddan Aram, to go to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan.
¹⁹ When Laban had gone to shear his sheep, Rachel stole her father's household gods.
²⁰ Moreover, Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him he was running away.
²¹ So he fled with all he had, crossed the Euphrates River, and headed for the hill country of Gilead.
²² On the third day Laban was told that Jacob had fled.
²³ Taking his relatives with him, he pursued Jacob for seven days and caught up with him in the hill country of Gilead.
²⁴ Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, "Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad."
²⁵ Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there too.
²⁶ Then Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done? You've deceived me, and you've carried off my daughters like captives in war.
²⁷ Why did you run off secretly and deceive me? Why didn't you tell me, so I could send you away with joy and singing to the music of timbrels and harps?
²⁸ You didn't even let me kiss my grandchildren and my daughters goodbye. You have done a foolish thing.
²⁹ I have the power to harm you; but last night the God of your father said to me, 'Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.'
³⁰ Now you have gone off because you longed to return to your father's household. But why did you steal my gods?"
³¹ Jacob answered Laban, "I was afraid, because I thought you would take your daughters away from me by force.
³² But if you find anyone who has your gods, that person shall not live. In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself whether there is anything of yours here with me; and if so, take it." Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods.
³³ So Laban went into Jacob's tent and into Leah's tent and into the tent of the two female servants, but he found nothing. After he came out of Leah's tent, he entered Rachel's tent.
³⁴ Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them inside her camel's saddle and was sitting on them. Laban searched through everything in the tent but found nothing.
³⁵ Rachel said to her father, "Don't be angry, my lord, that I cannot stand up in your presence; I'm having my period." So he searched but could not find the household gods.
³⁶ Jacob was angry and took Laban to task. "What is my crime?" he asked Laban. "How have I wronged you that you hunt me down?
³⁷ Now that you have searched through all my goods, what have you found that belongs to your household? Put it here in front of your relatives and mine, and let them judge between the two of us.
³⁸ "I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten rams from your flocks.
³⁹ I did not bring you animals torn by wild beasts; I bore the loss myself. And you demanded payment from me for whatever was stolen by day or night.
⁴⁰ This was my situation: The heat consumed me in the daytime and the cold at night, and sleep fled from my eyes.
⁴¹ It was like this for the twenty years I was in your household. I worked for you fourteen years for your two daughters and six years for your flocks, and you changed my wages ten times.
⁴² If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, you would surely have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my hardship and the toil of my hands, and last night he rebuked you."
⁴³ Laban answered Jacob, "The women are my daughters, the children are my children, and the flocks are my flocks. All you see is mine. Yet what can I do today about these daughters of mine, or about the children they have borne?
⁴⁴ Come now, let's make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us."
⁴⁵ So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar.
⁴⁶ He said to his relatives, "Gather some stones." So they took stones and piled them in a heap, and they ate there by the heap.
⁴⁷ Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed.
⁴⁸ Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me today." That is why it was called Galeed.
⁴⁹ It was also called Mizpah, because he said, "May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.
⁵⁰ If you mistreat my daughters or if you take any wives besides my daughters, even though no one is with us, remember that God is a witness between you and me."
⁵¹ Laban also said to Jacob, "Here is this heap, and here is this pillar I have set up between you and me.
⁵² This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not go past this heap to your side to harm you and that you will not go past this heap and pillar to my side to harm me.
⁵³ May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us." So Jacob took an oath in the name of the Fear of his father Isaac.
⁵⁴ He offered a sacrifice there in the hill country and invited his relatives to a meal. After they had eaten, they spent the night there.
⁵⁵ Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left and returned home.

Genesis chapter 31 esv

¹ Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, "Jacob has taken all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has gained all this wealth."
² And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before.
³ Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you."
⁴ So Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah into the field where his flock was
⁵ and said to them, "I see that your father does not regard me with favor as he did before. But the God of my father has been with me.
⁶ You know that I have served your father with all my strength,
⁷ yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me.
⁸ If he said, 'The spotted shall be your wages,' then all the flock bore spotted; and if he said, 'The striped shall be your wages,' then all the flock bore striped.
⁹ Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me.
¹⁰ In the breeding season of the flock I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream that the goats that mated with the flock were striped, spotted, and mottled.
¹¹ Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob,' and I said, 'Here I am!'
¹² And he said, 'Lift up your eyes and see, all the goats that mate with the flock are striped, spotted, and mottled, for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you.
¹³ I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now arise, go out from this land and return to the land of your kindred.'"
¹⁴ Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, "Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father's house?
¹⁵ Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money.
¹⁶ All the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do."
¹⁷ So Jacob arose and set his sons and his wives on camels.
¹⁸ He drove away all his livestock, all his property that he had gained, the livestock in his possession that he had acquired in Paddan-aram, to go to the land of Canaan to his father Isaac.
¹⁹ Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel stole her father's household gods.
²⁰ And Jacob tricked Laban the Aramean, by not telling him that he intended to flee.
²¹ He fled with all that he had and arose and crossed the Euphrates, and set his face toward the hill country of Gilead.
²² When it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled,
²³ he took his kinsmen with him and pursued him for seven days and followed close after him into the hill country of Gilead.
²⁴ But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night and said to him, "Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad."
²⁵ And Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban with his kinsmen pitched tents in the hill country of Gilead.
²⁶ And Laban said to Jacob, "What have you done, that you have tricked me and driven away my daughters like captives of the sword?
²⁷ Why did you flee secretly and trick me, and did not tell me, so that I might have sent you away with mirth and songs, with tambourine and lyre?
²⁸ And why did you not permit me to kiss my sons and my daughters farewell? Now you have done foolishly.
²⁹ It is in my power to do you harm. But the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, 'Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.'
³⁰ And now you have gone away because you longed greatly for your father's house, but why did you steal my gods?"
³¹ Jacob answered and said to Laban, "Because I was afraid, for I thought that you would take your daughters from me by force.
³² Anyone with whom you find your gods shall not live. In the presence of our kinsmen point out what I have that is yours, and take it." Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen them.
³³ So Laban went into Jacob's tent and into Leah's tent and into the tent of the two female servants, but he did not find them. And he went out of Leah's tent and entered Rachel's.
³⁴ Now Rachel had taken the household gods and put them in the camel's saddle and sat on them. Laban felt all about the tent, but did not find them.
³⁵ And she said to her father, "Let not my lord be angry that I cannot rise before you, for the way of women is upon me." So he searched but did not find the household gods.
³⁶ Then Jacob became angry and berated Laban. Jacob said to Laban, "What is my offense? What is my sin, that you have hotly pursued me?
³⁷ For you have felt through all my goods; what have you found of all your household goods? Set it here before my kinsmen and your kinsmen, that they may decide between us two.
³⁸ These twenty years I have been with you. Your ewes and your female goats have not miscarried, and I have not eaten the rams of your flocks.
³⁹ What was torn by wild beasts I did not bring to you. I bore the loss of it myself. From my hand you required it, whether stolen by day or stolen by night.
⁴⁰ There I was: by day the heat consumed me, and the cold by night, and my sleep fled from my eyes.
⁴¹ These twenty years I have been in your house. I served you fourteen years for your two daughters, and six years for your flock, and you have changed my wages ten times.
⁴² If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been on my side, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God saw my affliction and the labor of my hands and rebuked you last night."
⁴³ Then Laban answered and said to Jacob, "The daughters are my daughters, the children are my children, the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine. But what can I do this day for these my daughters or for their children whom they have borne?
⁴⁴ Come now, let us make a covenant, you and I. And let it be a witness between you and me."
⁴⁵ So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar.
⁴⁶ And Jacob said to his kinsmen, "Gather stones." And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there by the heap.
⁴⁷ Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.
⁴⁸ Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me today." Therefore he named it Galeed,
⁴⁹ and Mizpah, for he said, "The LORD watch between you and me, when we are out of one another's sight.
⁵⁰ If you oppress my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no one is with us, see, God is witness between you and me."
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.

Genesis chapter 31 nlt

¹ But Jacob soon learned that Laban's sons were grumbling about him. "Jacob has robbed our father of everything!" they said. "He has gained all his wealth at our father's expense."
² And Jacob began to notice a change in Laban's attitude toward him.
³ Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your father and grandfather and to your relatives there, and I will be with you."
⁴ So Jacob called Rachel and Leah out to the field where he was watching his flock.
⁵ He said to them, "I have noticed that your father's attitude toward me has changed. But the God of my father has been with me.
⁶ You know how hard I have worked for your father,
⁷ but he has cheated me, changing my wages ten times. But God has not allowed him to do me any harm.
⁸ For if he said, 'The speckled animals will be your wages,' the whole flock began to produce speckled young. And when he changed his mind and said, 'The striped animals will be your wages,' then the whole flock produced striped young.
⁹ In this way, God has taken your father's animals and given them to me.
¹⁰ "One time during the mating season, I had a dream and saw that the male goats mating with the females were streaked, speckled, and spotted.
¹¹ Then in my dream, the angel of God said to me, 'Jacob!' And I replied, 'Yes, here I am.'
¹² "The angel said, 'Look up, and you will see that only the streaked, speckled, and spotted males are mating with the females of your flock. For I have seen how Laban has treated you.
¹³ I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, the place where you anointed the pillar of stone and made your vow to me. Now get ready and leave this country and return to the land of your birth.'"
¹⁴ Rachel and Leah responded, "That's fine with us! We won't inherit any of our father's wealth anyway.
¹⁵ He has reduced our rights to those of foreign women. And after he sold us, he wasted the money you paid him for us.
¹⁶ All the wealth God has given you from our father legally belongs to us and our children. So go ahead and do whatever God has told you."
¹⁷ So Jacob put his wives and children on camels,
¹⁸ and he drove all his livestock in front of him. He packed all the belongings he had acquired in Paddan-aram and set out for the land of Canaan, where his father, Isaac, lived.
¹⁹ At the time they left, Laban was some distance away, shearing his sheep. Rachel stole her father's household idols and took them with her.
²⁰ Jacob outwitted Laban the Aramean, for they set out secretly and never told Laban they were leaving.
²¹ So Jacob took all his possessions with him and crossed the Euphrates River, heading for the hill country of Gilead.
²² Three days later, Laban was told that Jacob had fled.
²³ So he gathered a group of his relatives and set out in hot pursuit. He caught up with Jacob seven days later in the hill country of Gilead.
²⁴ But the previous night God had appeared to Laban the Aramean in a dream and told him, "I'm warning you ? leave Jacob alone!"
²⁵ Laban caught up with Jacob as he was camped in the hill country of Gilead, and he set up his camp not far from Jacob's.
²⁶ "What do you mean by deceiving me like this?" Laban demanded. "How dare you drag my daughters away like prisoners of war?
²⁷ Why did you slip away secretly? Why did you deceive me? And why didn't you say you wanted to leave? I would have given you a farewell feast, with singing and music, accompanied by tambourines and harps.
²⁸ Why didn't you let me kiss my daughters and grandchildren and tell them good-bye? You have acted very foolishly!
²⁹ I could destroy you, but the God of your father appeared to me last night and warned me, 'Leave Jacob alone!'
³⁰ I can understand your feeling that you must go, and your intense longing for your father's home. But why have you stolen my gods?"
³¹ "I rushed away because I was afraid," Jacob answered. "I thought you would take your daughters from me by force.
³² But as for your gods, see if you can find them, and let the person who has taken them die! And if you find anything else that belongs to you, identify it before all these relatives of ours, and I will give it back!" But Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the household idols.
³³ Laban went first into Jacob's tent to search there, then into Leah's, and then the tents of the two servant wives ? but he found nothing. Finally, he went into Rachel's tent.
³⁴ But Rachel had taken the household idols and hidden them in her camel saddle, and now she was sitting on them. When Laban had thoroughly searched her tent without finding them,
³⁵ she said to her father, "Please, sir, forgive me if I don't get up for you. I'm having my monthly period." So Laban continued his search, but he could not find the household idols.
³⁶ Then Jacob became very angry, and he challenged Laban. "What's my crime?" he demanded. "What have I done wrong to make you chase after me as though I were a criminal?
³⁷ You have rummaged through everything I own. Now show me what you found that belongs to you! Set it out here in front of us, before our relatives, for all to see. Let them judge between us!
³⁸ "For twenty years I have been with you, caring for your flocks. In all that time your sheep and goats never miscarried. In all those years I never used a single ram of yours for food.
³⁹ If any were attacked and killed by wild animals, I never showed you the carcass and asked you to reduce the count of your flock. No, I took the loss myself! You made me pay for every stolen animal, whether it was taken in broad daylight or in the dark of night.
⁴⁰ "I worked for you through the scorching heat of the day and through cold and sleepless nights.
⁴¹ Yes, for twenty years I slaved in your house! I worked for fourteen years earning your two daughters, and then six more years for your flock. And you changed my wages ten times!
⁴² In fact, if the God of my father had not been on my side ? the God of Abraham and the fearsome God of Isaac ? you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen your abuse and my hard work. That is why he appeared to you last night and rebuked you!"
⁴³ Then Laban replied to Jacob, "These women are my daughters, these children are my grandchildren, and these flocks are my flocks ? in fact, everything you see is mine. But what can I do now about my daughters and their children?
⁴⁴ So come, let's make a covenant, you and I, and it will be a witness to our commitment."
⁴⁵ So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a monument.
⁴⁶ Then he told his family members, "Gather some stones." So they gathered stones and piled them in a heap. Then Jacob and Laban sat down beside the pile of stones to eat a covenant meal.
⁴⁷ To commemorate the event, Laban called the place Jegar-sahadutha (which means "witness pile" in Aramaic), and Jacob called it Galeed (which means "witness pile" in Hebrew).
⁴⁸ Then Laban declared, "This pile of stones will stand as a witness to remind us of the covenant we have made today." This explains why it was called Galeed ? "Witness Pile."
⁴⁹ But it was also called Mizpah (which means "watchtower"), for Laban said, "May the LORD keep watch between us to make sure that we keep this covenant when we are out of each other's sight.
⁵⁰ If you mistreat my daughters or if you marry other wives, God will see it even if no one else does. He is a witness to this covenant between us.
⁵¹ "See this pile of stones," Laban continued, "and see this monument I have set between us.
⁵² They stand between us as witnesses of our vows. I will never pass this pile of stones to harm you, and you must never pass these stones or this monument to harm me.
⁵³ I call on the God of our ancestors ? the God of your grandfather Abraham and the God of my grandfather Nahor ? to serve as a judge between us." So Jacob took an oath before the fearsome God of his father, Isaac, to respect the boundary line.
⁵⁴ Then Jacob offered a sacrifice to God there on the mountain and invited everyone to a covenant feast. After they had eaten, they spent the night on the mountain.
⁵⁵ Laban got up early the next morning, and he kissed his grandchildren and his daughters and blessed them. Then he left and returned home.