Laban said to Jacob, “See this heap, and see the pillar, which I have set between me and you.
Parallel translations
- KJV And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee:
- BSB Laban also said to Jacob, “Here is the mound, and here is the pillar I have set up between you and me.
- NKJV Then Laban said to Jacob, “Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me.
- NASB Laban also said to Jacob, “Behold this heap and behold the memorial stone which I have set between you and me.
- NLT “See this pile of stones,” Laban continued, “and see this monument I have set between us.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Laban points to the heap and pillar he set up as the markers of their covenant. He emphasizes the visible signs of their agreement.
Overview
Laban draws attention to the dual witnesses, the heap and the pillar, that physically embody the treaty. By repeating their significance, he underscores the boundary they establish. The verse continues the solemn ratifying of a pact meant to keep two distrustful parties at peace.
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 31:51 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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