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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 31:43-55

We have here the compromising of the matter between Laban and Jacob. Laban had nothing to say in reply to Jacob's remonstrance: he could neither justify himself nor condemn Jacob, but was convicted by his own conscience of the wrong he had done him; and therefore desires to hear no more of the matter He is not willing to own himself in a fault, nor to ask Jacob's forgiveness, and make him satisfaction, as he ought to have done. But, I. He turns it off with a profession of kindness for Jacob's... read more

John Gill

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

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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 31:49

Verse 49 49.The Lord watch between me and thee. Laban commits to the judgment of God, for vengeance, whatever offense either of them should be guilty of against the other in his absence; as if he would say, “Though the knowledge of the injury should not reach me, because I shall be far distant, yet the Lord, who is everywhere present, will behold it.” Which sentiment he more clearly expresses afterwards, when he says, “No one is with us; God will be witness between me and thee.” By which words... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 31:45-55

Galeed and Mizpah, or the covenant of peace. I. THE COVENANT MEMORIALS . 1. The pillar of remembrance . The erection of the stone slab appears to have been the act of Jacob alone, and to have been designed to commemorate the important transaction about to be entered into with Laban. It is well to keep note of those engagements we make with our fellow-men in order to their punctual fulfillment; much more of those we make with God. It does not appear that any name was given to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 31:48-50

And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. The historian adding— Therefore was the name of it called (originally by Jacob, and afterwards by the Israelites from this transaction) Galeed ( vide on Genesis 31:21 ). The stony character of the regon may have suggested the designation. And Mizpah ;—watchtower from Tsaphah, to watch. Mizpah afterwards became the site of a town in the district of Gilead ( 10:17 ; 11:11 , 11:19 , 11:34 ); which received... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 31:1-55

- Jacob’s Flight from Haran19. תרפים terāpı̂ym, Teraphim. This word occurs fifteen times in the Old Testament. It appears three times in this chapter, and nowhere else in the Pentateuch. It is always in the plural number. The root does not appear in Biblical Hebrew. It perhaps means “to live well,” intransitively (Gesenius, Roedig.), “to nourish,” transitively (Furst). The teraphim were symbols or representatives of the Deity, as Laban calls them his gods. They seem to have been busts... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 31:47-53

Genesis 31:47-53 . But Jacob called it Galeed The name Laban gave it signifies the heap of witness, in the Syrian tongue, which he used, and Galeed signifies the same in Hebrew, the language which Jacob used. It appears that the name which Jacob gave it remained to it, and not the name which Laban gave it. And Mizpah (Genesis 31:49,) This name in Hebrew signifies a watchtower. And they agreed to give it this second name to remind them and their posterity of the solemn appeal they... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 31:1-55

Jacob flees from Laban (31:1-55)As Laban and his sons became increasingly hostile to him, Jacob prepared to leave for Canaan without delay (31:1-13). Leah and Rachel agreed, for they too were angry with Laban. He had used them to make himself rich, but apparently had no intention of giving them a share in the inheritance (14-16). Therefore, when they fled, Rachel stole her father’s household idols, for according to Mesopotamian custom possession of these gave her some right to the inheritance... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 31:49

Mizpah. Hebrew watch-tower. he. i.e. Laban. So that he knew Hebrew as well as Chaldee. the LORD. Laban also uses the name Jehovah. It is used by all the speakers in Genitive except the Nachash (Genesis 3:0 ), Abimelech (when speaking to Abram, not to Isaac), the sons of Heth, Pharaoh, Joseph's brethren, and Joseph himself. absent. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 = Hebrew hidden, put for absent. read more

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