If you mistreat my daughters or take other wives, although no one is with us, remember that God is a witness between you and me." If you mistreat my daughtersThis phrase is a direct admonition from Laban to Jacob, emphasizing the protective nature of a father towards his daughters. The Hebrew root for "mistreat" is "עָנָה" (anah), which can mean to afflict or oppress. This highlights the seriousness of Laban's concern, as he is warning against any form of oppression or harm. In the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East, women were often vulnerable, and this statement underscores the importance of their protection and well-being. or take other wives
The phrase reflects the cultural practices of polygamy during the time of the patriarchs. The Hebrew word for "wives" is "נָשִׁים" (nashim), which is the plural form of "אִשָּׁה" (ishah), meaning woman or wife. Laban's warning against taking additional wives serves to protect his daughters' status and inheritance rights. It also reflects the potential for familial discord that could arise from polygamous relationships, a theme seen elsewhere in Genesis. although no one is with us
This phrase highlights the private nature of the covenant being made between Laban and Jacob. The Hebrew word "אִם" (im) can be translated as "if" or "although," indicating a hypothetical situation where there are no human witnesses. This underscores the solemnity and seriousness of the agreement, as it relies on divine witness rather than human observation. remember that God is a witness
The invocation of God as a witness is significant, as it elevates the agreement to a divine level. The Hebrew word for "witness" is "עֵד" (ed), which implies a legal or formal testimony. This reflects the belief in God's omnipresence and omniscience, serving as a reminder that even in the absence of human witnesses, God sees and judges all actions. It is a call to integrity and accountability before God. between you and me
This phrase emphasizes the personal nature of the covenant. The Hebrew preposition "בֵּין" (bein) means "between," indicating a mutual agreement or understanding. It signifies the relational aspect of the covenant, not just as a legal contract but as a personal commitment between two individuals. This reflects the broader biblical theme of covenants as relational agreements that involve responsibilities and obligations before God and each other. Persons / Places / Events 1. Jacob- The grandson of Abraham, son of Isaac, and husband to Leah and Rachel. He is the central figure in this passage, having fled from his father-in-law Laban. 2. Laban- Jacob's father-in-law, who pursued Jacob after he left with his family. Laban is concerned about the welfare of his daughters, Leah and Rachel. 3. Leah and Rachel- The daughters of Laban and wives of Jacob. They are central to the covenant made between Jacob and Laban. 4. Mizpah- The place where Jacob and Laban made a covenant. It serves as a witness to their agreement. 5. God as Witness- The divine presence invoked by Laban to ensure Jacob's faithfulness to the covenant regarding his daughters. Teaching Points The Sanctity of MarriageMarriage is a sacred covenant witnessed by God. Just as Jacob was reminded of his responsibilities, we too must honor and respect the commitments we make in marriage. God as the Ultimate WitnessEven when no human is present, God sees and knows our actions. This should encourage us to live with integrity and faithfulness in all our relationships. Accountability in RelationshipsLaban's warning to Jacob highlights the importance of accountability. In our lives, we should seek to be accountable to God and others, ensuring our actions align with our commitments. The Role of CovenantsCovenants are serious commitments that require faithfulness. Whether in marriage or other areas of life, we should strive to uphold our promises, knowing that God is a witness. Trust in God's JusticeWhen wronged or concerned about the future, we can trust that God sees and will act justly. Laban's reliance on God as a witness shows a trust in divine justice. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of God as a witness in Genesis 31:50 influence your understanding of accountability in your personal relationships? 2. In what ways can you apply the principle of honoring marriage, as seen in Genesis 31:50, to your own life or the lives of those around you? 3. How does the covenant between Jacob and Laban at Mizpah reflect the importance of making and keeping commitments in your life? 4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure that you are living with integrity, knowing that God is a witness to your actions? 5. How can the themes of faithfulness and accountability in Genesis 31:50 be connected to the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament regarding relationships and commitments? Connections to Other Scriptures Malachi 2:14-16This passage discusses the faithfulness required in marriage, emphasizing that God is a witness to the covenant between a husband and wife, similar to the witness invoked in Genesis 31:50. Matthew 19:4-6Jesus speaks about the sanctity of marriage, reinforcing the idea that God is a witness to the marital covenant, echoing the commitment Jacob is reminded of. Hebrews 13:4This verse underscores the importance of honoring marriage, aligning with the warning given to Jacob about mistreating his wives. People Aram, Isaac, Jacob, Laban, Leah, Nahor, RachelPlaces Canaan, Euphrates River, Galeed, Gilead, Jegar-sahadutha, Mizpah, Paddan-aramTopics Addition, Afflict, Although, Behold, Beside, Besides, Betwixt, Cruel, Daughters, Ill-treat, Mistreat, Remember, Shouldest, Though, Witness, WivesDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 31:50 5623 witnesses, legal
5674 daughters
5732 polygamy Genesis 31:43-53 4366 stones Genesis 31:44-53 5430 oaths, human Genesis 31:44-55 5095 Jacob, life Genesis 31:45-50 5044 names, giving of Genesis 31:45-53 5443 pillars Genesis 31:48-54 1346 covenants, nature of 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 TestamentAppendix 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 Links Genesis 31:50 NIVGenesis 31:50 NLTGenesis 31:50 ESVGenesis 31:50 NASBGenesis 31:50 KJV
Genesis 31:50 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
