Genesis - 31:51



51 Laban said to Jacob, "See this heap, and see the pillar, which I have set between me and you.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Genesis 31:51.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;
And he said again to Jacob: Behold, this heap, and the stone which I have set up between me and thee,
And Laban said to Jacob: 'Behold this heap, and behold the pillar, which I have set up betwixt me and thee.
And again he said to Jacob. "Lo, this tomb and the stone that I have set up between me and you,
Dixit ergo Laban ad Iahacob, Ecce, cumulus iste, et ecce statua, quam jeci inter me et to.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

And Laban said to Jacob - behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee - But this pillar, not cast but set up, was certainly set up by Jacob; for in Genesis 31:45 we read, And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar: it is therefore for the honor of one Hebrew and one Samaritan MS. that they have preserved the true reading in Genesis 31:51, ירית yaritha, Thou hast set up - Kennicott. Instead of either of the above readings the Samaritan text has yarata, The pillar which thou Seest betwixt me and thee.

And Laban said to Jacob,.... Continued speaking to him, as follows:
behold this heap, and behold this pillar which I have cast betwixt me and thee; the heap of stones seems to be gathered and laid together by the brethren, and the pillar to be erected by Jacob; and yet Laban says of them both, that he cast them, or erected them, they being done by his order, or with his consent, as well as Jacob's; unless the pillar can be thought to design another beside that which Jacob set up, and was like that, a single stone at some little distance from the heap: but the Samaritan and Arabic versions read, "which thou hast seen or set", &c. agreeably to Genesis 31:45.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


Discussion on Genesis 31:51

User discussion of the verse.






*By clicking Submit, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use.