Genesis 31 53

Genesis 31:53 kjv

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.

Genesis 31:53 nkjv

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.

Genesis 31:53 niv

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.

Genesis 31:53 esv

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,

Genesis 31:53 nlt

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.

Genesis 31 verses

Genesis 31 53 meaning

Genesis 31:53 records the oath taken during the covenant between Jacob and Laban. Laban invokes "the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father" to judge between them, reflecting a complex and perhaps divided spiritual lineage. Jacob, in response, swears by "the Fear of his father Isaac," aligning himself specifically with the God his father Isaac reverenced and indicating a deeper, personal devotion to the covenant God. This verse seals the pact by invoking divine authority to ensure its enforcement, with God serving as the ultimate witness and arbiter.

Genesis 31 53 Context

Genesis chapter 31 describes Jacob's departure from Laban's household after twenty years of service, feeling cheated and oppressed. Under divine instruction (Gen 31:3), Jacob secretly flees with his family and possessions. Laban pursues them, catching up to them in the Gilead region. God intervenes in a dream, warning Laban not to harm Jacob (Gen 31:24). The tension culminates in a confrontation where Laban accuses Jacob of stealing his gods (teraphim) and running away. After resolving the issue of the teraphim (which Rachel had stolen), they decide to make a covenant of non-aggression. This verse is the solemn oath sworn by both parties to seal that covenant, defining the boundaries and obligations between them. The historical context reflects a time when covenants were crucial for establishing relationships, resolving disputes, and ensuring peace among nomadic and semi-nomadic groups.

Genesis 31 53 Word analysis

• The God of Abraham (אֱלֹהֵ֤י אַבְרָהָם֙ - Elohei Avraham): Laban invokes the patriarch Abraham, acknowledging a shared, foundational ancestral deity. This reflects the continuity of divine interaction with Abraham's lineage. However, Laban's subsequent references hint at a broader, perhaps syncretistic, understanding compared to Abraham's exclusive worship of the one true God.
• and the God of Nahor (וֵאלֹהֵ֥י נָח֖וֹר - ve'Elohei Nachor): Nahor was Abraham's brother and ancestor of Laban, whose descendants remained in Mesopotamia. By including Nahor, Laban invokes a deity associated with his own direct patrilineal branch, which, according to Josh 24:2, implies serving other gods. This phrase underscores Laban's potential for mixed worship or his traditional understanding of local ancestral gods, diverging from the singular covenant God of Abraham.
• the God of their father (אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבִיהֶ֑ם - Elohei Avihem): Refers to Terah, the father of both Abraham and Nahor. Josh 24:2 states Terah worshipped "other gods" (idols). This broad invocation by Laban includes an ancestor clearly associated with polytheism, further highlighting Laban's ancestral ties to idolatrous practices, even if he also acknowledges Abraham's God. It contrasts sharply with Jacob's exclusive commitment.
• judge between us (יִשְׁפְּט֤וּ בֵינֵ֙ינוּ֙ - yishp'tu beinenu): This is a plea for divine arbitration. It calls upon God to oversee the covenant and act as an impartial enforcer, holding both parties accountable to their oath. God is the supreme arbiter who sees all actions and will ensure justice. This role of God as judge is a recurring theme in scripture (e.g., Ps 7:8; 1 Sam 2:10).
• So Jacob swore (וַיִּשָּׁבַ֣ע יַעֲקֹ֔ב - vaiyishshava Ya'aqov): Indicates a solemn and binding promise made under divine witness. Oaths were grave matters in the ancient world, invoking severe consequences if broken. Jacob's action confirms his commitment to the covenant.
• by the Fear of his father Isaac (בְּפַ֖חַד אָבִ֥יו יִצְחָֽק - bePakhad aviv Yitschak): This is a unique and profound expression found only twice in scripture (Gen 31:42, 53).
  • Fear (פַּחַד - Pakhad): Can mean terror, dread, but also deep reverence or awe. Here, it likely refers to the awesome or revered God whom Isaac worshipped, or perhaps the specific awe-inspiring experiences Isaac had with God (e.g., the binding on Moriah in Gen 22).
  • of his father Isaac: This emphasizes Jacob's allegiance to Isaac's distinct experience and worship of the covenant God, possibly highlighting Isaac's particular piety or a significant encounter with the Divine that profoundly shaped his faith. Unlike Laban's diffuse invocation, Jacob focuses on a clear, direct, and pious ancestral relationship with the one true God, distinct from any potentially mixed worship of Terah or Nahor's lineage. This underscores Jacob's spiritual continuity with the Abrahamic covenant through Isaac's specific spiritual lineage.

Genesis 31 53 Bonus section

The unique phrase "Fear of Isaac" (Pakhad Yitschak) suggests a theological nuance that extends beyond the common "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Scholars debate its exact meaning, with possibilities including:

1. The Terrifying God: A reference to a fearful encounter Isaac had with God, possibly echoing the dramatic test of Abraham offering Isaac (Gen 22) where Isaac was delivered, instilling profound awe and fear of the Lord in his heart.
2. The Object of Isaac's Fear/Reverence: Meaning the specific aspect or manifestation of God that Isaac uniquely revered and worshipped above all others. This portrays a specific character or attribute of God particularly significant to Isaac's faith.
3. An Idiom for Isaac's God: Functioning as a proper name for God that Isaac himself used or that was uniquely associated with his experience, symbolizing the awe-filled relationship he had with the Almighty. This indicates Jacob's unwavering faithfulness to the purest form of monotheistic worship practiced by Isaac, effectively drawing a line in the sand between his worship and Laban's potentially compromised understanding of deity. The specific choice of "Fear of Isaac" over a more general "God of Isaac" highlights a powerful, personal aspect of their faith that Jacob profoundly esteemed.

Genesis 31 53 Commentary

Genesis 31:53 marks a critical moment in the reconciliation and separation of Jacob and Laban. Laban's multiple invocations ("God of Abraham, God of Nahor, God of their father") reveal a family history steeped in varied, possibly syncretistic, religious practices, extending back to Terah's idol worship. His prayer for judgment points to a fundamental ancient Near Eastern belief in divine oversight for oaths and covenants. In stark contrast, Jacob's specific swearing "by the Fear of his father Isaac" serves as a precise declaration of his faith. This rare and poignant phrase signals Jacob's deep veneration for the specific, unique, and powerful experience of God that characterized Isaac's life—a reverence that shaped Isaac's steadfast devotion. This not only signifies a profound spiritual lineage but also acts as a quiet but firm demarcation, distinguishing Jacob's allegiance to the one true God of Abraham and Isaac from Laban's potentially diluted or pluralistic ancestral deities. It underscores that for Jacob, his God is the awesome and mighty God specifically revealed to Isaac, solidifying his covenant identity as distinct from Laban's family.