Genesis 31 54

Genesis 31:54 kjv

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.

Genesis 31:54 nkjv

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.

Genesis 31:54 niv

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.

Genesis 31:54 esv

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.

Genesis 31:54 nlt

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.

Genesis 31 verses

Genesis 31 54 meaning

Genesis 31:54 describes Jacob's act of worship and the shared covenant meal that formally concluded the solemn agreement between him and Laban. Following their sworn oath and the establishment of the boundary stones, Jacob initiated a sacrifice and invited his kinsmen, including Laban's entourage, to eat with him on the mountain. This meal served as a communal sealing of their peaceful covenant and reconciliation, culminating in a night spent together, signifying mutual trust and the cessation of hostility.

Genesis 31 54 Context

Genesis chapter 31 describes Jacob's departure from Laban after 20 years of service, driven by growing tension over Laban's deceitful practices and a divine instruction for Jacob to return to his homeland. Jacob secretly flees with his family and possessions, prompting Laban to pursue him. Their confrontation occurs "on the mountain of Gilead" (Gen 31:25), where Laban accuses Jacob of theft and secret departure. After a heated exchange, God intervenes through a dream warning Laban not to harm Jacob. This divine intervention leads to a shift in Laban's attitude, culminating in the establishment of a covenant between them. They set up a pillar and a heap of stones, calling it Galeed ("heap of witness") and Mizpah ("watchtower"), solemnly swearing not to harm each other and not to cross this boundary with evil intent. Verse 54 follows immediately after this covenant agreement, highlighting the formal sealing of the pact through a sacred meal and act of worship, signifying the end of hostilities and the beginning of a peaceful parting. This scene concludes a significant portion of Jacob's sojourn with Laban, setting the stage for his anticipated encounter with Esau.

Genesis 31 54 Word analysis

• Then Jacob (וַיִּזְבַּח יַעֲקֹב - va-yizbach Yaʿaqov): "Then" marks a direct sequence following the covenant oath in the preceding verses (31:51-53). Jacob, as the one who previously fled, now takes the initiative to seal the peace through an act of worship.
• offered a sacrifice (זֶבַח - zevach): The verb zabach (to sacrifice, slaughter) and its noun form zevach refer to an animal offering, often associated with a peace offering (Hebrew: shelem or shalom), where a portion is burned to God, and the remainder is eaten by the priests and offerer/worshipers. This type of sacrifice underscores communion and reconciliation, reflecting the new relationship of peace between Jacob and Laban. It is a deeply spiritual act acknowledging God's sovereignty over the covenant.
• on the mountain (בָּהָר - ba-har): "The mountain" is where their confrontation and subsequent covenant occurred. Mountains in the biblical narrative often serve as places of divine encounter, revelation, and worship (e.g., Mount Sinai). This elevated location adds a sacred dimension to the covenant and the sacrifice, suggesting divine oversight and witness to their agreement. It may also provide a literal high vantage point for a heap of stones to be a "witness."
• and invited (וַיִּקְרָא - va-yiqra): From the root qara (to call, invite). This signifies a deliberate act of extending fellowship. The invitation indicates that the tension has subsided, replaced by a gesture of hospitality and shared peace.
• his relatives (לְאֶחָיו - leʾechav): Literally "to his brothers." This term in ancient Near Eastern culture often referred broadly to kinsmen, clan members, or even allies, not strictly blood brothers. Here, it refers to Laban and the men who accompanied him, as well as perhaps Jacob's own male household members. Including Laban's contingent in the meal symbolically confirms the reconciliation and the binding nature of the covenant from both sides.
• to eat bread (לֶאֱכָל־לֶחֶם - leʾechal-lechem): "Bread" here signifies a complete meal, a feast. Sharing a meal in the ancient world, especially a sacrificial one, was a profound act of establishing or reaffirming covenant, peace, and trust. It meant one entered into a bond of fellowship and would not betray the other. It implied an exchange of hospitality and shared sustenance, foundational for community.
• And they ate bread (וַיֹּאכְלוּ לֶחֶם - vayyokhelu lechem): This repetition confirms that the meal took place, signifying the actualization and consummation of the covenant. The act of eating together solidified their agreement in a deeply culturally meaningful way.
• and spent the night on the mountain (וַיָּלִינוּ בָּהָר - va-yalinu ba-har): To "spend the night" together implies a sense of security and a removal of immediate danger or fear of betrayal. After days of pursuit and confrontation, remaining in a common camp through the night signifies trust, even if tentative. It marked the definitive end of the direct conflict, allowing Laban to depart peacefully the next morning.

Genesis 31 54 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "sacrifice," zevach, is frequently associated with peace offerings, known as shelem offerings, where fellowship and shared meals are central. This aligns perfectly with the intent of reconciliation and covenant in Gen 31. The choice of the mountain as the location also serves as a polemic against the pagan practices of the time. While pagans might offer sacrifices on "high places," this specific "mountain" is now a site of covenant worship under the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The covenant meal here establishes a significant parallel and precedent for future biblical covenant meals, most notably the Passover and, ultimately, the Lord's Supper, which inaugurates the new covenant through the ultimate sacrifice and shared communion. The act showcases Jacob's deep-rooted understanding of worshipping the one true God and binding agreements through Him.

Genesis 31 54 Commentary

Genesis 31:54 captures a pivotal moment of reconciliation, marking the conclusion of Jacob's challenging period under Laban's influence. The act of offering a sacrifice signifies more than mere religious ritual; it is a profound expression of worship and acknowledgment of God's presence and blessing upon the covenant. By sharing this sacrificial meal "on the mountain," a place imbued with sacred symbolism, Jacob and Laban participated in a deeply binding act in their culture. Eating together was universally understood as the seal of an agreement, signifying communion and peace. It declared that hostile intentions had ceased, and a bond, however uneasy, had been formed under divine witness. The entire sequence, from the solemn oath to the shared feast and common night spent, reflects the transformation from tense confrontation to a confirmed, albeit reluctant, reconciliation, emphasizing the sacredness and permanence of a covenant established through ritual and fellowship. It demonstrates how sacred acts integrate into the mundane, solidifying human relationships under divine purview.