Bible Commentary

Genesis 31:49

Genesis 31:49

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain

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" ; when being at a distance, they could not see each other, or what one another did in agreement or disagreement with their present covenant: but he intimates, that the Lord sees and knows all things, and therefore imprecates that God would watch over them both, them and their actions, and bring upon them the evil or the good, according as their actions were, or as they broke or kept this covenant.

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Genesis 31 — OverviewGenesis 31 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleJacob was a very honest good man, a man of great devotion and integrity, yet he had more trouble and vexation than any of the patriarchs. He left his father's house in a fright, went to his uncle's in distress,…Genesis 31 — OverviewGenesis 31 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgeGenesis 31:1, Jacob, displeased with the envy of Laban and his sons, departs secretly; Genesis 31:19, Rachel steals her father’s images; Genesis 31:22, Laban pursues after him, and complains of the wrong; Genesis 31:34,…Genesis 31 — OverviewGenesis 31 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThis chapter relates how that Jacob observing that Laban and his sons envied his prosperity, and having a call from God to return to his own country, acquaints his wives with it; and reports to them Laban's ill usage of…Genesis 31:43-55Genesis 31:43-55 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleWe 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…Genesis 31:45-55Genesis 31:45-55 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITIONGenesis 31:45-55Genesis 31:45-55 · The Pulpit CommentaryGaleed 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…