King James Version
What Does Genesis 31:47 Mean?
“And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed. Jegarsahadutha: that is, The heap of witness, Chaldee Galeed: that is, The heap of witness, Heb.”
Context
45
And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.
46
And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.
47
And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed. Jegarsahadutha: that is, The heap of witness, Chaldee Galeed: that is, The heap of witness, Heb.
48
And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;
49
And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. Mizpah: that is, A beacon, or, watchtower
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(47) **Jegar-sahadutha.**—These are two Syriac words of the same meaning as Gal-’eed, *Heap of Witness. *A Syriac (or Aramaic) dialect was most probably the ordinary language of the people in Mesopotamia, but it seems plain that Laban and his family also spoke Hebrew, not merely from his calling the placo Mizpah, a Hebrew word, but from the names given by his daughters to their children.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Genesis 31:47 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Genesis 31:47
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge