Lexical Summary Yegar Sahadutha: Heap of Witness Original Word: יְגַר שׂהֲדוּתָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jegar-Sahadutha (Aramaic) from a word derived from an unused root (meaning to gather) and a derivation of a root corresponding to sahed; heap of the testimony; Jegar-Sahadutha, a cairn East of the Jordan -- Jegar-Sahadutha. see HEBREW sahed NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origin(Aramaic) from an unused word and one corresponding to sahed Definition "heap (of stones) of the testimony, " a memorial of Jacob and Laban NASB Translation Jegar-sahadutha (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [יְגַּר] noun [masculine] (stone-)heap (ᵑ7 id.; Syriac  ; compare Ethiopic  throw together,  mound); — construct שָֽׂהֲדוּתָא ׳י Genesis 31:47 (= Hebrew גַּלעֵֿד). Topical Lexicon Name and Translation Jegar-sahadutha is an Aramaic phrase meaning “heap of testimony” or “mound of witness.” It designates the stone monument raised by Laban and Jacob; Jacob rendered the same meaning in Hebrew as Galeed. The dual naming underscores the shared yet distinct cultural identities of the two men and the equal binding force of their covenant (Genesis 31:47). Historical Setting in Genesis 31 The name appears during Jacob’s departure from Paddan-aram. After years of tension over wages, livestock, and family loyalties, Laban overtook Jacob in the hill country of Gilead. The confrontation ended not with violence but with a covenant sealed by a heap of stones. “Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed” (Genesis 31:47). The event marks the final separation of the two households and the conclusion of Jacob’s servitude. Covenantal Significance 1. Witness before God. The pile testified that both parties accepted the LORD as overseer: “May the LORD watch between you and me when we are absent from each other” (Genesis 31:49). Symbolism of the Heap of Stones Memorial stones recur throughout Scripture (Joshua 4:6–7; 1 Samuel 7:12). Like Jegar-sahadutha, each pile reminds succeeding generations of divine oversight and covenant faithfulness. Stones—durable and conspicuous—furnish a visible, enduring testimony, silently preaching integrity and accountability. Hebrew–Aramaic Parallel and God’s Universal Reach The twin names Galeed (Hebrew) and Jegar-sahadutha (Aramaic) affirm that the God of Abraham rules beyond linguistic or ethnic boundaries. By recording both titles, Genesis anticipates later periods when Aramaic would become the lingua franca of the Near East (cf. Daniel 2:4). Scripture’s unity is thus showcased amid cultural diversity. Witness Theme Across Scripture • Deuteronomy 19:15 establishes the legal principle of multiple witnesses. Ministry Applications 1. Conflict resolution. The narrative models transparent negotiation, mutual acknowledgment of wrongs, and submission to God’s judgment. Christological and Eschatological Reflections While Jegar-sahadutha marked a separation, the cross of Jesus Christ becomes the ultimate heap of testimony, reconciling estranged parties—Jew and Gentile, God and humanity (Ephesians 2:14-16). The final judgment likewise invokes the witness motif: “books were opened” (Revelation 20:12), and every deed is remembered. Summary of Key Truths • Jegar-sahadutha memorializes a covenant of peace, family protection, and divine surveillance. Forms and Transliterations שָׂהֲדוּתָ֑א שהדותא śā·hă·ḏū·ṯā sahaduTa śāhăḏūṯāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 31:47 HEB: לָבָ֔ן יְגַ֖ר שָׂהֲדוּתָ֑א וְיַֽעֲקֹ֔ב קָ֥רָא NAS: called it Jegar-sahadutha, but Jacob KJV: called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob INT: called now Laban Jegar-sahadutha Jacob called 1 Occurrence |
    |