Genesis 31:49

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.

Complete Jewish Bible:

and also HaMitzpah [the watchtower], because he said, "May ADONAI watch between me and you when we are apart from each other.

Berean Standard Bible:

It was also called Mizpah, because Laban said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are absent from each other.

American Standard Version:

and Mizpah, for he said, Jehovah watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Mizpah^{H4709}; for^{H834} he said^{H559}, The LORD^{H3068} watch^{H6822} between me and thee, when we are absent^{H5641} one^{H376} from another^{H7453}.

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Commentary for Genesis 31:49

Genesis 31:49 is part of the narrative involving Jacob and his father-in-law, Laban. The verse captures a moment of tension and resolution between the two men, who have had a complex relationship marked by deception and competition.

**Themes:**
1. **Divine Witness and Protection:** The naming of the place "Mizpah," meaning "watchtower," signifies a call for God to serve as a witness and protector over the covenant made between Jacob and Laban. It underscores the theme of divine oversight in human agreements and relationships.
2. **Covenant and Reconciliation:** Despite past conflicts, the verse reflects an attempt to establish a peaceful covenant between the parties. It illustrates the theme of reconciliation and the importance of formalizing agreements to prevent future misunderstandings or conflicts.
3. **Boundaries and Separation:** The context suggests a mutual recognition of the need to part ways while maintaining a respectful distance. This theme of separation is tied to the idea of establishing clear boundaries to preserve peace.

**Historical Context:**
The verse is set in the patriarchal period, when relationships and agreements were often sealed by invoking the name of a deity as a guarantor. Jacob, after years of working for Laban and experiencing Laban's changing favor, decides to return to his homeland with his family and possessions. Fearing Laban's potential pursuit and wrath, Jacob flees secretly. However, when Laban catches up to him, they engage in negotiations and establish a covenant, marked by a pile of stones as a witness to their agreement.

In this context, Mizpah serves as a symbolic and physical reminder of the covenant, embodying the hope that God will watch over both parties and ensure that they uphold their commitments, even in each other's absence. This historical practice of invoking divine presence and using stone monuments as witnesses to treaties is reflective of ancient Near Eastern customs of the time.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H4709
   There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מִצְפָּה
   Transliteration: Mitspâh
   Pronunciation: mits-paw'
   Description: feminine of מִצְפֶּה; Mitspah, the name of two places in Palestine; Mitspah. (This seems rather to be only an orthographic variation of מִצְפֶּה when 'in pause'.)
   
2. Strong's Number: H834
   There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲשֶׁר
   Transliteration: ʼăsher
   Pronunciation: ash-er'
   Description: a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number); who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.; [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.
   
3. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); 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.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6822
   There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָפָה
   Transliteration: tsâphâh
   Pronunciation: tsaw-faw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await; behold, espy, look up (well), wait for, (keep the) watch(-man).
   
6. Strong's Number: H5641
   There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: סָתַר
   Transliteration: çâthar
   Pronunciation: saw-thar'
   Description: a primitive root; to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively; be absent, keep close, conceal, hide (self), (keep) secret, [idiom] surely.
   
7. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); 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); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
8. Strong's Number: H7453
   There are 173 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֵעַ
   Transliteration: rêaʻ
   Pronunciation: ray'-ah
   Description: or רֵיעַ; from רָעָה; an associate (more or less close); brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other.