Genesis 31:51 kjv
And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee:
Genesis 31:51 nkjv
Then Laban said to Jacob, "Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me.
Genesis 31:51 niv
Laban also said to Jacob, "Here is this heap, and here is this pillar I have set up between you and me.
Genesis 31:51 esv
Then Laban said to Jacob, "See this heap and the pillar, which I have set between you and me.
Genesis 31:51 nlt
"See this pile of stones," Laban continued, "and see this monument I have set between us.
Genesis 31 51 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 13:18 | So Abram moved his tent, and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lᴏʀᴅ. | Establishing a monument as a witness to God. |
| Gen 28:18 | So Jacob rose early in the morning and took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up as a pillar... | Pillar as a covenant marker/witness (Jacob). |
| Gen 31:45-48 | Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar... Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha... and Jacob called it Galeed. | Direct context of the heap and pillar's origin. |
| Gen 31:49 | And Mizpah, for he said, "May the Lᴏʀᴅ watch between you and me, when we are out of one another's sight." | God as a witness to the covenant boundary. |
| Gen 31:52 | This heap is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not pass over this heap to you... | Explicit declaration of the boundary's purpose. |
| Exod 24:4 | And Moses built an altar at the foot of the mountain and twelve pillars... | Pillars marking covenants and testimonies. |
| Josh 4:5-7 | And tell them, 'These stones shall be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.'" | Stones as a memorial of God's acts/covenants. |
| Josh 24:27 | So Joshua said to all the people, "Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us..." | Stone serving as a witness against covenant-breakers. |
| Deut 19:14 | "You shall not move your neighbor's landmark, which the men of old have set..." | Respecting established boundaries/landmarks. |
| Prov 22:28 | Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless. | Warning against violating established boundaries. |
| Prov 23:10 | Do not move an ancient landmark or enter the fields of the fatherless... | Reinforces the sanctity of ancient boundaries. |
| 1 Sam 7:12 | Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah and called its name Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the Lᴏʀᴅ helped us." | Stone as a memorial and witness of divine aid. |
| Isa 19:19 | In that day there will be an altar to the Lᴏʀᴅ in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the Lᴏʀᴅ at its border. | Pillar as a religious marker and witness. |
| 1 Sam 12:5 | And he said to them, "The Lᴏʀᴅ is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day..." | God invoked as a witness in human covenants. |
| Mic 6:1 | Hear what the Lᴏʀᴅ says: Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. | Nature as witness to divine judgments. |
| Psa 50:7 | "Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you..." | God bearing witness against His people. |
| Heb 6:13 | For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself... | God's absolute certainty in covenants. |
| Heb 6:16 | For people swear by someone greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. | Oaths and physical witnesses as confirmation. |
| Gal 3:15 | To give a human example: no one annuls a man's will or adds to it once it has been ratified. | Human covenants serving as analogies for divine covenants. |
| Matt 5:33-37 | "...You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn." But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all... | Reaffirms sanctity of oaths but points to ultimate truthfulness. |
| 2 Cor 1:23 | But I call God to witness against me... | God invoked as ultimate witness to intentions. |
| Rev 1:5 | and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness... | Christ as the ultimate faithful witness. |
Genesis 31 verses
Genesis 31 51 Meaning
Genesis 31:51 states Laban's declaration to Jacob regarding the heap of stones and the pillar, affirming his role in establishing them as a witness and boundary between them. This verse formalizes the physical markers of their non-aggression pact, which prevents each party from crossing these markers with ill intent towards the other. It signifies a tangible and visible symbol of the covenant they are about to make, serving as a reminder and a warning against transgression, while also invoking divine oversight.
Genesis 31 51 Context
Genesis chapter 31 describes Jacob's departure from Laban after twenty years of service, driven by growing tension and the Lord's command to return to the land of his fathers. Laban pursues Jacob, convinced he has stolen his idols. After Jacob proves his innocence regarding the idols, a confrontation occurs between the two, culminating in a covenant proposal from Laban. Laban proposes a treaty to prevent further animosity and to establish a clear boundary between their families and possessions. This verse, Gen 31:51, marks Laban's pointing to the physical evidence—the heap of stones (Galeed) and the pillar—that both men have helped erect, symbolizing the tangible boundary and the terms of their agreement, sworn under divine witness. The context highlights Laban's attempt to assert control even in making a pact, ensuring his own family's security from Jacob.
Genesis 31 51 Word analysis
- And Laban said: Laban takes the initiative in formally addressing the purpose of the monument. This contrasts with earlier deceptions and emphasizes his present commitment.
- to Jacob: The direct recipient of Laban's explanation, ensuring a clear and explicit understanding between the two parties.
- 'See': The Hebrew word for 'see' is רְאֵה (re'eh), an imperative. It demands attention and highlights the visible, tangible nature of the covenant's markers. It's a call to observe and acknowledge what has been established.
- this heap: Refers to הַגַּל (hag-gal), the heap of stones known as Galeed ("heap of witness"). This mound was gathered by both Jacob and Laban's men (Gen 31:46), signifying their mutual participation and shared ownership in its establishment as a witness.
- and see: Repetition of the imperative emphasizes that both markers—the heap and the pillar—are integral to the covenant. This doubling serves to reinforce the importance of the visual testimony.
- this pillar: Refers to הַמַּצֵּבָה (ham-matstsebah), the pillar set up by Jacob himself (Gen 31:45). It signifies a monument or a standing stone, often associated with a memorial, a boundary, or a religious dedication. Laban now incorporates this pillar into their joint covenant.
- which I have set: The Hebrew אֲשֶׁר יָרִיתִי (asher yariti), literally "which I cast" or "which I have caused to be laid." Laban asserts his agency here. While Jacob set up the pillar, and the heap was a joint effort, Laban is now claiming authority over the completed covenant boundary markers from his perspective, framing it as his definitive act to solidify the boundary from his side. This asserts his participation and responsibility in establishing the non-aggression pact.
- between you and me: בֵּינִי וּבֵינֶךָ (beni u-vineka). This phrase defines the specific relational and geographical boundary marked by the heap and the pillar. It explicitly states the separation and the shared agreement concerning the dividing line.
Words-Group analysis:
- "See this heap and see this pillar": This phrase highlights the visual and tangible nature of the covenant markers. The double "see" underscores the absolute clarity and undeniable presence of the boundary markers, making them a constant reminder and witness to their agreement.
- "which I have set between you and me": This group of words clarifies the purpose and the party responsible for the immediate setting/acknowledging of the markers. Laban's assertion "I have set" (even if the labor was shared or initiated by Jacob) conveys his personal endorsement and establishment of this definitive boundary, aiming to ensure peace between their two burgeoning families.
Genesis 31 51 Bonus section
The establishment of the "heap" and "pillar" in this chapter showcases several aspects important in biblical and ancient contexts. The heap (גַּל, gal) typically represents a communal witness, formed by contributions from multiple individuals, underscoring shared responsibility and agreement. The pillar (מַצֵּבָה, matstsebah), often set by an individual (as Jacob did initially in Gen 31:45), could symbolize a more personal dedication, a memorial, or a formal boundary marker established by a prominent figure. Here, Laban combines both as unified symbols of their covenant, elevating the shared aspect while acknowledging a definitive demarcation. The scene also highlights the theological understanding of God as a "witness" (Gen 31:49, 53) to human agreements, indicating that covenants made under such physical signs and oaths are viewed as being overseen and validated by a divine authority. This served as a deterrent against treachery, as the deity would punish those who violate sworn agreements witnessed by these markers.
Genesis 31 51 Commentary
Genesis 31:51 marks a crucial point in the narrative of Jacob and Laban, signifying the formal establishment of a peace treaty and boundary. Laban, though often deceptive, here acts decisively to solidify the pact by drawing Jacob's attention to the physical markers they have jointly established. The "heap" (Galeed) and "pillar" (Mizpah, though not explicitly named in this verse, the reference to the pillar is linked to it) are not mere stones; they are monuments embodying a sworn agreement. Laban's statement, "which I have set," even if an overstatement of his sole involvement, confirms his personal commitment to honor the agreement. These visible signs serve as a mutual testimony and a preventative measure, ensuring that neither party will cross with hostile intent, a practice that highlights the significance of visible covenants and boundaries in ancient Near Eastern culture for maintaining peace and preventing tribal conflicts. It anticipates God's own covenant-making practices where physical signs like the rainbow or circumcision attest to His promises.