Genesis 31:41-50 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:49

And Mizpah ,.... Which being an Hebrew word, it looks as if the heap had also this name given it by Jacob, which signifies a "watch" or "watchtower"; though, by what follows, it seems to be given by Laban, who could speak Hebrew as well, as Syriac, or Chaldee: for he said, the Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another ; or "hid one from another" F17 נסתר "abscondemur", Montanus, Vatablus, Drusius; "absconditi erimus", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; so... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:50

If thou shall afflict my daughters ,.... In body or mind, by giving them hard blows, or ill words, and by withholding from them the necessaries of life, food and raiment, and the like: or if thou shall take other wives besides my daughters ; which also would be an affliction and vexation to them, see Leviticus 18:18 . Laban, though he had led Jacob into polygamy, and even obliged him to it, did not choose he should go further into it, for the sake of his daughters, to whom he... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:41

Twenty years - See the remarks at the end, Genesis 31:55 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:42

The fear of Isaac - It is strange that Jacob should say, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, when both words are meant of the same Being. The reason perhaps was this; Abraham was long since dead, and God was his unalienable portion for ever. Isaac was yet alive in a state of probation, living in the fear of God, not exempt from the danger of falling; therefore God is said to be his fear, not only the object of his religious worship in a general way, but that holy and just God before... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:46

Made a heap - גל gal , translated heap, signifies properly a round heap; and this heap was probably made for the double purpose of an altar and a table, and Jacob's stone or pillar was set on it for the purpose of a memorial. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:47

Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha - שהדותא יגר yegar sahadutha , the heap or round heap of witness; but Jacob called it גלעד galed , which signifies the same thing. The first is pure Chaldee, the second pure Hebrew. אגר agar signifies to collect, hence יגר yegar and אוגר ogar , a collection or heap made up of gathered stones; and hence also אגורא egora , an altar, used frequently by the Chaldee paraphrast . See 1 Kings 12:33 ; Judges 6:31 ; 2 Kings 21:3 ; ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:48-49

I think these two verses are badly divided, and should be read thus: Genesis 31:48 ; - And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Genesis 31:49 ; - Therefore was the name of it called Galeed and Mizpah; for he said, The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:50

No man is with us - Though all were present at the sacrifice offered, yet it appears that in making the contract Jacob and Laban withdrew, and transacted the business in private, calling on God to witness it. Jacob had already four wives; but Laban feared that he might take others, whose children would naturally come in for a share of the inheritance to the prejudice of his daughters and grandchildren. Though the Koran allows a man to have four wives if he can maintain them, yet we learn... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:42

Verse 42 42.Except the God of my father. Jacob here ascribes it to the favor of God, that he was not about to return home entirely empty; whereby he not only aggravates the sin of Laban, but meets an objection which might seem at variance with his complaints. He therefore denies that he has been made rich by the kindness of his father-in-law; but testifies that he has been favourably regarded by the Lord: as if he had said, I owe it not to thee, that thou hast not further injured me; but God,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:43

Verse 43 43.These daughters are my daughters. Laban begins now to speak in a manner very different from before: he sees that he has no farther ground of contention. Therefore, being convinced, he buries all strife, and glides into placid and amicable discourse. “Why,” he asks, “should I be hostile to thee, when all things between us are common? Shall I rage against my own bowels? For both thy wives and thy children are my own blood; wherefore I ought to be affected towards you, as if you all... read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:49

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:50

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:41

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:42

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:46

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:47

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:48-49

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:50

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:42

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:43

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