Genesis 31:44 Study Bible: Now come, let us make a covenant, you and I; and let it be a witness between me and you." And he said to him, "Look, there is no one with us; see, God is witness between me and you."

◄ Genesis 31:44 ►

Come now, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between you and me."

Come now
This phrase is an invitation to immediate action and dialogue. In the Hebrew context, the word "come" (לְכָה, lecha) is often used to initiate a significant event or decision. It suggests urgency and importance, indicating that the matter at hand cannot be delayed. Historically, this reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of resolving disputes or agreements promptly to maintain peace and order within familial or tribal relationships.

let us make a covenant
The Hebrew word for "covenant" is "בְּרִית" (berit), which signifies a solemn agreement or promise between parties. In the ancient world, covenants were binding and often involved rituals or sacrifices to underscore their seriousness. This phrase indicates a formalization of peace and mutual understanding between Jacob and Laban. From a theological perspective, covenants are central to God's relationship with humanity, reflecting His promises and faithfulness.

you and I
This phrase emphasizes the personal nature of the covenant. It is not just a legal or formal agreement but a personal commitment between two individuals. In the context of Genesis, it highlights the reconciliation between Jacob and Laban, who have had a strained relationship. The use of "you and I" underscores the importance of personal responsibility and mutual respect in resolving conflicts.

and let it serve as a witness
The concept of a "witness" (עֵד, ed) in Hebrew culture is crucial. A witness serves as a testimony to the truth and validity of an agreement. In ancient times, witnesses could be people, objects, or even God Himself. This phrase indicates that the covenant is not just a private agreement but one that is recognized and validated by an external standard or entity. It underscores the accountability and transparency expected in such agreements.

between you and me
This phrase reiterates the personal and relational aspect of the covenant. It is a direct and clear statement that the agreement is specifically between Jacob and Laban, with no intermediaries. This personalizes the commitment and ensures that both parties are directly accountable to each other. In a broader scriptural context, it reflects the personal nature of God's covenants with individuals, emphasizing direct relationship and responsibility.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jacob
The grandson of Abraham, son of Isaac, and a key patriarch in the lineage of Israel. At this point in Genesis, Jacob is returning to Canaan after serving Laban for many years.

2. Laban
Jacob's uncle and father-in-law, who had employed Jacob for 20 years. Laban's relationship with Jacob was often marked by tension and deceit.

3. Covenant
A solemn agreement or promise between two parties. In this context, it is a peace treaty between Jacob and Laban to ensure no harm comes to either party.

4. Mizpah
The place where Jacob and Laban made their covenant. It serves as a geographical and symbolic marker of their agreement.

5. Witness
The concept of a witness in this context is both a physical marker (a heap of stones) and a spiritual acknowledgment of the agreement before God.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Covenants
Covenants are foundational in biblical relationships, serving as binding agreements that establish trust and accountability.

Witnesses in Our Lives
Just as Jacob and Laban set up a physical witness, we should have spiritual and communal witnesses to our commitments, ensuring integrity and faithfulness.

Resolving Conflicts
The covenant between Jacob and Laban teaches us the importance of resolving conflicts through dialogue and mutual agreements, rather than through hostility.

God as the Ultimate Witness
In all our agreements and promises, we should remember that God is the ultimate witness, holding us accountable to our words and actions.

Legacy of Faithfulness
The covenants we make can have lasting impacts on future generations, just as the covenant between Jacob and Laban influenced their descendants.

Bible Study Questions

1. What can we learn from Jacob and Laban's covenant about resolving conflicts in our own lives?

2. How does the concept of a witness in Genesis 31:44 relate to the role of the Holy Spirit as a witness in our lives today?

3. In what ways can we ensure that our commitments and promises are honored, both in personal relationships and in our relationship with God?

4. How do the covenants in the Old Testament foreshadow the new covenant established through Jesus Christ?

5. Reflect on a time when you made a significant promise or agreement. How did you ensure that it was honored, and what role did your faith play in that process?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 21
The covenant between Abraham and Abimelech, which also involved setting up a witness (a well) to ensure peace and mutual respect.

Exodus 24
The covenant between God and Israel at Mount Sinai, highlighting the importance of covenants in establishing relationships and commitments.

Joshua 24
Joshua's renewal of the covenant with Israel, emphasizing the role of covenants in maintaining faithfulness to God.

1 Samuel 20
The covenant between David and Jonathan, illustrating personal covenants based on mutual respect and love.

Hebrews 9
Discusses the new covenant through Christ, showing the ultimate fulfillment of covenant promises in the New Testament.

Sermons

Bethel to Mizpah; Or, Service in a Strange Land	W. S. Smith, B. D.	Genesis 31:43-48
Laban's Covenant with Jacob	T. H. Leale.	Genesis 31:43-48
Lessons	G. Hughes, B. D.	Genesis 31:43-48
Lessons	G. Hughes, B. D.	Genesis 31:43-48
The Pillar a Witness		Genesis 31:43-48

People

Aram, Isaac, Jacob, Laban, Leah, Nahor, Rachel

Places

Canaan, Euphrates River, Galeed, Gilead, Jegar-sahadutha, Mizpah, Paddan-aram

Topics

Agreement, Covenant, Serve, Witness

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Genesis 31:44

1346 covenants, nature of

Genesis 31:43-53

4366 stones

Genesis 31:44-53

5430 oaths, human

Genesis 31:44-55

5095 Jacob, life

Library

Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Appendix xvi. On the Jewish views About Demons' and the Demonised,' Together with Some Notes on the Intercourse Between Jews and Jewish Christians in the First Centuries.
IT is not, of course, our purpose here to attempt an exhaustive account of the Jewish views on demons' and the demonised.' A few preliminary strictures were, however, necessary on a work upon which writers on this subject have too implictly relied. I refer to Gfrörer's Jahrhundert des Heils (especially vol. i. pp. 378-424). Gfrörer sets out by quoting a passage in the Book of Enoch on which he lays great stress, but which critical inquiries of Dillmann and other scholars have shown to be …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

How the Rude in Sacred Learning, and those who are Learned but not Humble, are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 25.) Differently to be admonished are those who do not understand aright the words of the sacred Law, and those who understand them indeed aright, but speak them not humbly. For those who understand not aright the words of sacred Law are to be admonished to consider that they turn for themselves a most wholesome drought of wine into a cup of poison, and with a medicinal knife inflict on themselves a mortal wound, when they destroy in themselves what was sound by that whereby they ought, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Epistle Xlix. To Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch .
To Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch [35] . Gregory to Anastasius, &c. I received the letters of thy Fraternity, rightly holding fast the profession of the faith; and I returned great thanks to Almighty God, who, when the shepherds of His flock are changed, still, even after such change, guards the faith which He once delivered to the holy Fathers. Now the excellent preacher says, Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ Jesus (1 Cor. iii. 2). Whosoever, then, with love of …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Great Shepherd
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. I t is not easy for those, whose habits of life are insensibly formed by the customs of modern times, to conceive any adequate idea of the pastoral life, as obtained in the eastern countries, before that simplicity of manners, which characterized the early ages, was corrupted, by the artificial and false refinements of luxury. Wealth, in those …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

And He had Also this Favour Granted Him. ...
66. And he had also this favour granted him. For as he was sitting alone on the mountain, if ever he was in perplexity in his meditations, this was revealed to him by Providence in prayer. And the happy man, as it is written, was taught of God [1112] . After this, when he once had a discussion with certain men who had come to him concerning the state of the soul and of what nature its place will be after this life, the following night one from above called him, saying, Antony, rise, go out and look.' …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
SHOWING WHAT IT IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM THAT WHICH IS NOT SO. ALSO, WHENCE IT COMES; WHO HAS IT; WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS; AND WHAT THE PRIVILEGES OF THOSE THAT HAVE IT IN THEIR HEARTS. London: Printed for N. Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, over against the Stocks market: 1679. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom," and "a fountain of life"--the foundation on which all wisdom rests, as well as the source from whence it emanates. Upon a principle …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Meditations for the Morning.
1. Almighty God can, in the resurrection, as easily raise up thy body out of the grave, from the sleep of death, as he hath this morning wakened thee in thy bed, out of the sleep of nature. At the dawning of which resurrection day, Christ shall come to be glorified in his saints; and every one of the bodies of the thousands of his saints, being fashioned like unto his glorious body, shall shine as bright as the sun (2 Thess. i. 10; Jude, ver. 14; Phil. iii. 21; Luke ix. 31;) all the angels shining …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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