Genesis 31:51
Genesis 31:51 in Multiple Translations
Laban also said to Jacob, “Here is the mound, and here is the pillar I have set up between you and me.
And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;
And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold the pillar, which I have set betwixt me and thee.
And Laban said, See these stones and this pillar which I have put between you and me;
Then Laban told Jacob, “Look at this pile of stones and this pillar that I have set up as a memorial of the agreement between you and me.
Moreouer Laban sayd to Iaakob, Beholde this heape, and behold the pillar, which I haue set betweene me and thee,
And Laban saith to Jacob, 'Lo, this heap, and lo, the standing pillar which I have cast between me and thee;
Laban said to Jacob, “See this heap, and see the pillar, which I have set between me and you.
And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;
And he said again to Jacob: Behold, this heap, and the stone which I have set up between me and thee,
Laban also said to Jacob, “You see this large stone and this pile of rocks that we have set up to be between us.
Then Laban said to Jacob, “Look at this pile of stones, and this other big stone. We have put them here, between my country and your country.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 31:51
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 31:51 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר
לָבָ֖ן
לְ/יַעֲקֹ֑ב
הִנֵּ֣ה
הַ/גַּ֣ל
הַ/זֶּ֗ה
וְ/הִנֵּה֙
הַ/מַצֵּבָ֔ה
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
יָרִ֖יתִי
בֵּינִ֥/י
וּ/בֵינֶֽ/ךָ
וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לָבָ֖ן
Lâbân
H3837
Laban
N-proper
לְ/יַעֲקֹ֑ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
Jacob
Prep | N-proper
הִנֵּ֣ה
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Part
הַ/גַּ֣ל
gal
H1530
heap
Art | N-ms
הַ/זֶּ֗ה
zeh
H2088
this
Art | Pron
וְ/הִנֵּה֙
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Conj | Part
הַ/מַצֵּבָ֔ה
matstsêbâh
H4676
pillar
Art | N-fs
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
יָרִ֖יתִי
yârâh
H3384
to shoot
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
בֵּינִ֥/י
bêyn
H996
between
Prep | Suff
וּ/בֵינֶֽ/ךָ
bêyn
H996
between
Conj | Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 31:51
וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
לָבָ֖ן
Lâbân
H3837
"Laban"
N-proper
Refers to Laban, a person in the Bible, or a place in the desert where the Israelites camped.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.24.29; son of: Bethuel (H1328A); brother of: Rebekah (H7259); father of: Rachel (H7354) and Leah (H3812) § Laban = "white" son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah, and father of Leah and Rachel
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: Laban. See also: Genesis 24:29; Genesis 30:40; Deuteronomy 1:1.
לְ/יַעֲקֹ֑ב
Yaʻăqôb
H3290
"Jacob"
Prep | N-proper
This word is the name of a person, Jacob, a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the father of many tribes of Israel. The KJV simply translates it as Jacob.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently Another name of yis.ra.el (יִשְׂרָאֵל "Israel" H3478) § Jacob = "heel holder" or "supplanter" son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel
Usage: Occurs in 319 OT verses. KJV: Jacob. See also: Genesis 25:26; Genesis 34:1; Psalms 14:7.
הִנֵּ֣ה
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
הַ/גַּ֣ל
gal
H1530
"heap"
Art | N-ms
A gal is a heap of stones, a spring of water, or a wave, used in various contexts like ratifying a covenant or describing God's chastisement.
Definition: : heap/pile 1) heap, spring, wave, billow 1a) heap (of stones) 1a1) over dead body 1a2) alone 1a3) used in ratifying a covenant 1b) waves (fig. of chastisement of Jehovah) 1c) spring Also means: gal (גַּל ": wave" H1530H)
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: billow, heap, spring, wave. See also: Genesis 31:46; Psalms 107:29; Psalms 42:8.
הַ/זֶּ֗ה
zeh
H2088
"this"
Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
וְ/הִנֵּה֙
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Conj | Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
הַ/מַצֵּבָ֔ה
matstsêbâh
H4676
"pillar"
Art | N-fs
A pillar or monument, sometimes used as a memorial or with an altar, like those found in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: 1) pillar, mastaba, stump 1a) pillar 1a1) as monument, personal memorial 1a2) with an altar 1b)(Hoph) stock, stump (of tree)
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: garrison, (standing) image, pillar. See also: Genesis 28:18; 1 Kings 14:23; Isaiah 19:19.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
יָרִ֖יתִי
yârâh
H3384
"to shoot"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs
To show or teach something, like pointing it out or shooting an arrow. It is used in Psalms and Proverbs to describe instructing or directing others.
Definition: 1) to shoot, pour 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to shoot arrows 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to shoot at 1b2) part. shooter, archer 1c) to throw water, rain
Usage: Occurs in 75 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase]) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew, shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through. See also: Genesis 31:51; Job 8:10; Psalms 11:2.
בֵּינִ֥/י
bêyn
H996
"between"
Prep | Suff
Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.
Definition: : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), [phrase] from (the widest), [idiom] in, out of, whether (it be...or), within. See also: Genesis 1:4; Joshua 24:7; Psalms 68:14.
וּ/בֵינֶֽ/ךָ
bêyn
H996
"between"
Conj | Prep | Suff
Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.
Definition: : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), [phrase] from (the widest), [idiom] in, out of, whether (it be...or), within. See also: Genesis 1:4; Joshua 24:7; Psalms 68:14.
Study Notes — Genesis 31:51
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Jacob’s Covenant with Laban
49It was also called Mizpah, because Laban said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are absent from each other.
50If you mistreat my daughters or take other wives, although no one is with us, remember that God is a witness between you and me.”
51Laban also said to Jacob, “Here is the mound, and here is the pillar I have set up between you and me.
52This mound is a witness, and this pillar is a witness, that I will not go past this mound to harm you, and you will not go past this mound and pillar to harm me. 53May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.Genesis 31:51 Summary
In Genesis 31:51, Laban and Jacob agree to respect each other's boundaries and not harm one another, symbolized by the mound and pillar. This agreement shows that even in difficult relationships, we can find ways to peacefully coexist, as seen in Genesis 31:52. By trusting in God's presence and protection, we can establish healthy boundaries and work towards reconciliation, just like Jacob did as he prepared to meet his brother Esau (Genesis 32:1-33:17). This verse reminds us that our relationships with others are important, and that we should strive to maintain peace and respect, just as Laban and Jacob did.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the mound and pillar in Genesis 31:51?
The mound and pillar serve as a physical reminder of the agreement between Laban and Jacob, symbolizing their commitment to peaceful coexistence, as seen in Genesis 31:52, where it is stated that these structures are witnesses to their pact.
Why did Laban feel the need to establish this agreement with Jacob?
Laban was concerned about the well-being of his daughters and the potential for conflict between him and Jacob, as mentioned in Genesis 31:50, where Laban warns Jacob against mistreating his daughters or taking other wives.
How does this verse relate to the broader context of Jacob's life?
This verse marks a turning point in Jacob's journey, as he prepares to return to his homeland and reconcile with his brother Esau, as seen in Genesis 32:1-33:17, where Jacob's encounter with Esau is recorded.
What role does God play in this agreement between Laban and Jacob?
God is acknowledged as a witness to the agreement, as stated in Genesis 31:50, and is invoked as a judge between the two parties, as seen in Genesis 31:53, where Laban calls upon the God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father to judge between them.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I can establish peaceful boundaries with others, just as Laban and Jacob did in this verse?
- How can I, like Jacob, trust in God's presence and protection in my relationships with others, as seen in Genesis 31:53?
- In what ways can I use physical reminders, such as the mound and pillar, to symbolize my commitment to my faith and my relationships with others?
- What are some potential consequences of not establishing clear boundaries and agreements with others, as warned against in Genesis 31:50?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 31:51
And Laban said to Jacob,.... Continued speaking to him, as follows: behold this heap, and behold [this] pillar which I have cast betwixt me and thee; the heap of stones seems to be gathered and laid
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 31:51
And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee; No JFB commentary on this verse.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 31:51
Genesis 31:51 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold [this] pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee; Ver. 51.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 31:51
Verse 51. And Laban said to Jacob - behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee] But this pillar, not cast but set up, was certainly set up by Jacob; for in Genesis 31:45 we read, And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar: it is therefore for the honour of one Hebrew and one Samaritan MS. that they have preserved the true reading in Genesis 31:51, ירית yaritha, THOU hast set up. - Kennicott. Instead of either of the above readings the Samaritan text has [Samaritan] yarata, The pillar which thou SEEST betwixt me and thee.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 31:51
51. heap … set] Jacob had caused the heap to be collected; Laban had erected the pillar: see note on Genesis 31:45. Two compacts are made: (1) Jacob will not ill-treat Laban’s daughters, Genesis 31:50; (2) neither Laban nor Jacob will pass the boundary heap of stones to do the other harm, Genesis 31:52. The heap of stones and the pillar are the witness of the agreement.