Genesis 31:46

And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.

And Jacob {H3290} said {H559} unto his brethren {H251}, Gather {H3950} stones {H68}; and they took {H3947} stones {H68}, and made {H6213} an heap {H1530}: and they did eat {H398} there upon the heap {H1530}.

Then Ya'akov said to his kinsmen, "Gather some stones"; and they took stones, made a pile of them and ate there by the pile of stones.

and he said to his relatives, โ€œGather some stones.โ€ So they took stones and made a mound, and there by the mound they ate.

And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made a heap: and they did eat there by the heap.

Commentary

Genesis 31:46 KJV describes a pivotal moment of covenant-making between Jacob and Laban. After a tense pursuit and confrontation, Jacob suggests a physical act to formalize their agreement.

Context of Genesis 31:46

This verse occurs as Jacob, with his family and possessions, has secretly fled from his father-in-law Laban. Laban pursues and eventually catches up to Jacob, leading to a heated discussion about Jacob's departure and Laban's missing household gods. God intervenes, warning Laban not to harm Jacob (Genesis 31:24). Following this divine intervention, Laban and Jacob decide to make a covenant of peace. The "brethren" Jacob addresses are Laban's kinsmen who accompanied him, serving as witnesses to this significant accord.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Covenant and Treaty Making: The primary purpose of gathering stones and forming a heap was to establish a lasting covenant between Jacob and Laban. This physical monument would serve as a tangible reminder of their agreement not to harm each other. This act foreshadows the naming of the heap as Galeed, meaning "heap of witness," and Mizpah.
  • Witness and Testimony: The heap of stones was a silent, enduring witness to the solemn oath sworn between them. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, such monuments were critical for verifying agreements, especially in the absence of written documents.
  • Reconciliation and Peace: Despite the deep-seated tension and mutual suspicion, the act of building the heap and sharing a meal upon it symbolized a commitment to peace and the resolution of their long-standing family dispute.
  • Communal Meal as Ratification: The act of "eating there upon the heap" was a common and powerful way to seal a covenant in the ancient world. Sharing a meal signified fellowship, trust, and the binding nature of the agreement, often inviting divine oversight and blessing upon the terms. This practice is seen in other biblical covenants, such as the elders eating before God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:11).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "heap" used here is gal (ื’ึทึผืœ). This word is significant as it directly relates to the name Galeed (Gal-ed), which means "heap of witness." The act of gathering stones and forming a pile (gal) was a deliberate, culturally understood action to create a physical marker of a significant event or agreement.

Practical Application

Genesis 31:46 offers timeless lessons on the importance of formalized agreements and the power of reconciliation. In our own lives, establishing clear boundaries and committing to peaceful resolutions, even in difficult relationships, can bring about lasting harmony. The shared meal highlights the unifying power of fellowship and how communal acts can solidify trust and bridge divides. It also reminds us that even when human relationships are strained, God's providence can guide individuals toward peace and the fulfillment of His purposes, as He did for Jacob.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ecclesiastes 3:5

    A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

  • Joshua 7:26

    And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.

  • Joshua 4:5

    And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take ye up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel:

  • Joshua 4:9

    And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.

  • Genesis 31:37

    Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set [it] here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.

  • Joshua 4:20

    ยถ And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.

  • Joshua 4:24

    That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it [is] mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.
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