Genesis 31:51. Which I have cast— Laban neither erected the pillar nor made the heap, Genesis 31:45-46. as Houbigant remarks; therefore he renders the word in the second person, which thou hast ereated, erexisti; though the Samaritan, he thinks, reads best in the second person, not יריתי irithi, but יראת irath, thou seest, this pillar which thou seest, &c. read more
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
In the Service of Laban Genesis 29-31 The story occupied by Genesis 29-31 represents one of the oft-recurring mysteries of human life. That is to say, in view of what has just taken place, that story seems to be an anti-climax, and is felt to be, in some serious sense, even a disappointment. It is almost impossible to bring the mind from the contemplations upon which it has just been fixed to read such an incident as that which spreads itself over these three chapters. When a man has seen... read more
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Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 31:50-55
"If thou shalt afflict my daughters, and if thou shalt take wives besides my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee. And Laban said unto Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have set betwixt me and thee. This heap be witness, and the pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap to me, for harm. The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And... read more