King James Version

What Does Genesis 31:50 Mean?

Genesis 31:50 in the King James Version says “If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God i...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.”

Genesis 31:50 · KJV

Context

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

50

If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.

51

And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;

52

This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.

Read Genesis 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What theological truths about Jacob's Flight from Laban emerge from this passage?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
אִם1 of 17
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תְּעַנֶּ֣ה2 of 17

“If thou shalt afflict”

H6031

to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

אֶת3 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּנֹתַ֔י4 of 17

“my daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וְאִם5 of 17
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

תִּקַּ֤ח6 of 17

“or if thou shalt take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

נָשִׁים֙7 of 17

“other wives”

H802

a woman

עַל8 of 17

“beside”

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בְּנֹתַ֔י9 of 17

“my daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

אֵ֥ין10 of 17
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

אִ֖ישׁ11 of 17

“no man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

עִמָּ֑נוּ12 of 17
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

רְאֵ֕ה13 of 17

“is with us see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֱלֹהִ֥ים14 of 17

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

עֵ֖ד15 of 17

“is witness”

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

בֵּינִ֥י16 of 17
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

וּבֵינֶֽךָ׃17 of 17
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

Study Guide

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 31:50 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 31:50 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 42:5Jeremiah 29:23Judges 11:10Micah 1:2Leviticus 18:181 Thessalonians 2:5

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