Genesis 31:46
Genesis 31:46 in Multiple Translations
and he said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.” So they took stones and made a mound, and there by the mound they ate.
And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.
And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made a heap: and they did eat there by the heap.
And Jacob said to his people, Get stones together; and they did so; and they had a meal there by the stones.
Then he told his relatives, “Go and collect some stones.” They all made a pile of stones and then sat beside it to eat a meal.
And Iaakob sayde vnto his brethren, Gather stones: who brought stones, and made an heape, and they did eate there vpon the heape.
and Jacob saith to his brethren, 'Gather stones,' and they take stones, and make a heap; and they eat there on the heap;
Jacob said to his relatives, “Gather stones.” They took stones, and made a heap. They ate there by the heap.
And Jacob said to his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made a heap: and they ate there upon the heap.
And he said to his brethren: Bring hither stones. And they gathering stones together, made a heap, and they ate upon it.
Then Jacob said to his relatives, “You also gather some stones.” So they gathered some rocks and put them in a heap, and they ate some food there near the heap.
Then Jacob said to his relatives, “Pick up some more stones.” So they picked up some more stones, and they piled those stones on top of each other. Then Jacob, and Laban, and all their relatives, they sat down beside that pile of stones, and they ate some food.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 31:46
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Genesis 31:46 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 31:46
Study Notes — Genesis 31:46
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 31:46 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 31:46
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 31:46
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 31:46
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 31:46
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 31:46
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 31:46
- Sermons on Genesis 31:46
Context — Jacob’s Covenant with Laban
46and he said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.” So they took stones and made a mound, and there by the mound they ate.
47Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed. 48Then Laban declared, “This mound is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore the place was called Galeed.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ecclesiastes 3:5 | a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, |
| 2 | Genesis 31:23 | So he took his relatives with him, pursued Jacob for seven days, and overtook him in the hill country of Gilead. |
| 3 | Genesis 31:54 | Then Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain and invited his relatives to eat a meal. And after they had eaten, they spent the night on the mountain. |
| 4 | Genesis 31:32 | If you find your gods with anyone here, he shall not live! In the presence of our relatives, see for yourself if anything is yours, and take it back.” For Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols. |
| 5 | Joshua 4:20–24 | And there at Gilgal Joshua set up the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan. Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of these stones?’ you are to tell them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, just as He did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, and so that you may always fear the LORD your God.” |
| 6 | Joshua 4:5–9 | and said to them, “Cross over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of Israel, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever.” Thus the Israelites did as Joshua had commanded them. They took up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, one for each tribe of Israel, just as the LORD had told Joshua; and they carried them to the camp, where they set them down. Joshua also set up twelve stones in the middle of the Jordan, in the place where the priests who carried the ark of the covenant stood. And the stones are there to this day. |
| 7 | Genesis 31:37 | You have searched all my goods! Have you found anything that belongs to you? Put it here before my brothers and yours, that they may judge between the two of us. |
| 8 | Joshua 7:26 | And they heaped over Achan a large pile of rocks that remains to this day. So the LORD turned from His burning anger. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Achor to this day. |
| 9 | 2 Samuel 18:17 | They took Absalom, cast him into a large pit in the forest, and piled a huge mound of stones over him. Meanwhile, all the Israelites fled, each to his home. |
Genesis 31:46 Summary
In Genesis 31:46, Jacob asks his relatives to gather stones, which they use to make a mound, and then they eat together by it. This act represents a covenant, or agreement, between Jacob and Laban, and is a way of sealing their promise to each other. Just like Jacob, we can use symbols and rituals to remind us of important agreements and commitments, like the covenant God makes with us through Jesus Christ (as seen in Luke 22:20). By doing so, we can deepen our relationships and trust in God's faithfulness, just as Jacob did in this moment of reconciliation with Laban.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of gathering stones in Genesis 31:46?
The act of gathering stones in Genesis 31:46 symbolizes the making of a covenant between Jacob and Laban, serving as a witness to their agreement, similar to the stone pillar set up by Jacob in Genesis 31:45.
Why did Jacob and his relatives eat by the mound of stones?
Eating by the mound of stones in Genesis 31:46 signifies a celebratory act, sealing the covenant between Jacob and Laban, and is a gesture of peace and unity, as seen in other biblical accounts such as Genesis 26:30.
How does this verse relate to the broader biblical theme of covenant-making?
Genesis 31:46 illustrates the biblical practice of making covenants, which involves rituals and symbols, like the gathering of stones, to seal agreements and testify to the parties' commitment, as also seen in Genesis 21:27-32 and Exodus 24:3-8.
What can we learn from Jacob's actions in this verse about conflict resolution?
Jacob's actions in Genesis 31:46 demonstrate the importance of seeking peace and reconciliation, even in difficult circumstances, and finding ways to memorialize and testify to agreements, as encouraged in Matthew 5:23-24 and Romans 12:18.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can symbolically 'gather stones' to mark significant spiritual agreements or covenants in my own life?
- How can I, like Jacob, prioritize peace and reconciliation in my relationships, even when it's challenging?
- What role do rituals and symbols play in my own spiritual practices, and how can I incorporate them in meaningful ways, as seen in Genesis 31:46?
- In what ways can I use everyday moments, like sharing a meal, to nurture unity and peace with others, as Jacob and his relatives did by the mound of stones?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 31:46
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 31:46
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 31:46
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 31:46
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 31:46
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 31:46
Sermons on Genesis 31:46
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Sex, Love & Marriage) 8. by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of preparation for marriage, likening it to the meticulous planning required for a space mission. He advocates for a period of engagement that |
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(Genesis) Genesis 31:20-25 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob fleeing from Laban. Jacob had secretly left Laban's house without informing him and traveled a great distance to Mount Gi |
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(Genesis) Genesis 31:32-36 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jacob and Laban from the book of Genesis. Jacob confronts Laban, questioning why he is pursuing him so aggressively. Jacob is c |
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In His Presence by Don Courville | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the events of Joshua chapters 3 and 4, where the Israelites crossed the Jordan River. He compares this crossing to their previous crossing of |



