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James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 31:45-49

"And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar. And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones and made a heap: and they did eat there by the heap. And Laban called it Jegar-sathadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed, And Laban said, This heap is witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed; and Mizpah, for he said, Jehovah watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another."See the chapter introduction for a discussion of... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 31:22-55

Laban’s confrontation with Jacob 31:22-55God had promised to be with Jacob and to return him to Canaan (Genesis 28:15). We see God doing this, in spite of Laban’s opposition, in this section."It was only by divine prospering and protection (24) that Jacob brought anything, even his life, back from exile." [Note: Kidner, p. 165.] "Whatever wealth Abraham may have forfeited upon leaving the family unit of Terah in Haran comes to his heirs in this most unimaginable way." [Note: Mathews, Genesis... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 31:43-55

Jacob and Laban made a parity covenant, set up a stone pillar (Heb. misbah, standing stone) to mark the spot, and ate a meal together as part of the rite involved in establishing a covenant (Genesis 31:44-48). They may have erected the heap of stones (Heb. gal, cairn, Genesis 31:46) both as a table for the meal and as a memorial of the event. Standing stones sometimes marked supposed dwelling places of the gods (cf. Genesis 28:17-18), and cairns often marked graves (cf. Joshua 7:26; Joshua... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:1-55

Jacob’s Return from Haran4-13. Jacob attributes his prosperity to God’s favour. 14-16. Rachel and Leah point out that their father had no claim on them, since Jacob had won them by his services, and Laban had given them no share in the profits he had made through their husband’s labours. They agree to leave their home.19. The images] Heb. teraphim. These were figures of metal, wood, or clay of varying sizes, apparently in human form. They probably answered to the ’Lares and Penates,’ or... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 31:1-55

THE TÔLDÔTH ISAAC (Genesis 25:19 to Genesis 35:29). THE BIRTH OF ISAAC’S SONS.Abraham begat Isaac—The Tôldôth in its original form gave probably a complete genealogy of Isaac, tracing up his descent to Shem, and showing thereby that the right of primogeniture belonged to him; but the inspired historian uses only so much of this as is necessary for tracing the development of the Divine plan of human redemption.The Syrian.—Really, the Aramean, or descendant of Aram. (See Genesis 10:22-23.) The... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 31:47

(47) Jegar-sahadutha.—These are two Syriac words of the same meaning as Gal-’eed, Heap of Witness. A Syriac (or Aramaic) dialect was most probably the ordinary language of the people in Mesopotamia, but it seems plain that Laban and his family also spoke Hebrew, not merely from his calling the placo Mizpah, a Hebrew word, but from the names given by his daughters to their children. read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 31:1-55

CHAPTER 31 Jacob’s Servitude Ended and Flight from Laban 1. Laban’s behavior and God’s commandment (Genesis 31:1-10 ) 2. The dream vision to return to the land (Genesis 31:11-16 ) 3. Jacob’s flight (Genesis 31:17-21 ) 4. Laban warned (Genesis 31:22-24 ) 5. Laban’s accusation (Genesis 31:25-30 ) 6. Jacob’s answer (Genesis 31:31-42 ) 7. The covenant between Jacob and Laban (Genesis 31:43-55 ) The twenty years had expired. Laban’s hatred and the hatred of his sons had increased.... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 31:47

31:47 And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it {k} Galeed.(k) The one named the place in the Syrian tongue, and the other in the Hebrew tongue. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:1-55

JACOB'S SECRET DEPARTURE The prosperity of Jacob could not but awaken the envy of Laban's sons. Jacob had gained all of this through his caring for their father's sheep: now the majority of the sheep and the stronger sheep belonged to Jacob. But Laban had agreed to the arrangement, and they could do nothing about it. Before this Laban had recognized that it was Jacob's presence with him that caused Laban to prosper greatly; so he appreciated Jacob. Now Jacob prospers and Laban's attitude... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:1-55

JACOB AND LABAN THEIR FIRST MEETING (Genesis 29:1-14 ) Jacob’s journey to Haran, his mother’s country, was first to the north and then the east, re-traversing the original course of his grandfather Abraham. As he nears its termination; his attention is attracted by the shepherds with their flocks around a well, whose mouth is covered with a stone. Inquiry reveals that they belong to Haran, and are acquainted with his uncle Laban. Rachel, his daughter and the keeper of his sheep, will be... read more

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