Genesis 31:47 — Word Study
WLCוַיִּקְרָא־ ל֣וֹ לָבָ֔ן יְגַ֖ר שָׂהֲדוּתָ֑א וְיַֽעֲקֹ֔ב קָ֥רָא ל֖וֹ גַּלְעֵֽד׃
BSALabanLâbân [the father-in-law, uncle of Jacob] called itqârâʼ▸ [gave the name] Jegar-sahaduthaYᵉgar Sahădûwthâʼ [a monument, witness pile] ◂and JacobYaʻăqôb [the son of Isaac, Israel] called itqârâʼ■ [named, designated] GaleedGalʻêd [a heap of testimony, witness]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיִּקְרָא־ | and he called | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| ל֣וֹ | it | Preposition, suffix |
| לָבָ֔ן | Laban | Noun proper masculine |
| יְגַ֖ר | Jegar | Noun proper |
| שָׂהֲדוּתָ֑א | Sahadutha | Noun proper |
| וְיַֽעֲקֹ֔ב | and Jacob | Conjunction, noun proper masculine |
| קָ֥רָא | he called | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| ל֖וֹ | it | Preposition, suffix |
| גַּלְעֵֽד׃ | Galeed | Noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed. |
| KJV | And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed. |
| ASV | And Laban called it Jegar-saha-dutha: but Jacob called it Galeed. |
| YLT | and Laban calleth it Jegar-Sahadutha; and Jacob hath called it Galeed. |
| WEB | Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. |
| BBE | And the name Laban gave it was Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob gave it the name of Galeed. |
Where they part company is in the naming of the heap of stones — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of two main clauses connected by a conjunction, emphasizing the parallel actions of Laban and Jacob.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectלָבָן
verbקָרָא
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Genesis 31:47
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Covenant between Laban and Jacobgenerated
Genesis 31:47 describes a significant moment when Laban and Jacob establish a boundary and a witness to their agreement. They name a heap of stones, symbolizing their covenant and mutual respect. This act of naming is important in the biblical narrative, as it signifies the establishment of a lasting memorial to their relationship and the terms of their agreement, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hebrews 12:1 | Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יְגַר, ye.Gargenerated
The word יְגַר (ye.Gar) refers to a heap or pile, specifically in this context a monument or witness pile. It is a proper noun that signifies the name given by Laban to the heap of stones, which serves as a marker of their agreement.
This word is a noun and appears in the context of a covenant, indicating the importance of the heap as a witness to the promises made between Jacob and Laban. It highlights the cultural significance of naming places and objects to remember key events.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The sentence features two main clauses linked by conjunctions: the first clause introduces Laban's action of naming, and the second clause presents Jacob's response. The structure emphasizes the parallel actions of both characters in naming the heap.
The finite verbs וַיִּקְרָא and קָרָא anchor each clause, with Laban and Jacob as the subjects. This arrangement highlights their equal roles in the act of naming.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, Laban's naming is rendered as ἐκάλεσεν, which means 'he called.' This choice reflects a straightforward translation of the Hebrew verb, maintaining the emphasis on the act of naming.
The use of λαβαν for Laban and γαλαιδ for Galeed shows consistency in the translation of proper names, preserving their significance in the narrative.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Genesis 31:47 tells us that Laban called the heap of stones Jegar-sahadutha, while Jacob named it Galeed. This moment marks an important agreement between them, symbolized by the names they chose for the pile of stones.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Jegar-sahadutha means 'witness pile' and signifies the heap of stones that serves as a memorial for the agreement between Laban and Jacob.
Jacob called it Galeed, which also means 'witness pile,' emphasizing the significance of the stones as a marker of their covenant.
Naming the heap of stones serves to memorialize the agreement and establish a lasting witness to their covenant.
The names chosen by Laban and Jacob reflect their mutual respect and the importance of their agreement, highlighting the cultural practice of naming significant places.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What are some significant agreements or covenants I have made in my life, and how do I remember them?
- How can the act of naming places or objects serve as a reminder of important events or commitments?
- In what ways do I honor the agreements I make with others?
- How can I apply the principles of respect and mutual understanding seen in Laban and Jacob's interaction in my own relationships?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Genesis 31:47 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd Laban called it Jegarsahadutha,.... Which in the Syriac and Chaldee languages signifies "an heap of witness"; it being, as after observed, a witness of the covenant between Laban and Jacob: but
Read John Gill on Genesis 31 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed. Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha [yªgar] - a heap of stones [ saahªduwtaa' (H3026)], testimony, witness.
Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 31 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleBoth names signify the same thing, a heap of witness; only Laban gives the name in the Syrian language; but Jacob, though he had been long conversant in Syria, and understood that language, yet he chose to give it in Hebrew, which was both a secret renouncing of the Syrian manners and religion, together with their language, and an implicit profession of his conjunction with the Hebrews, as in their tongue, so in their religion.
Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 31 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsGenesis 31:47 And Laban called it Jegarsahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed. Ver. 47.
Read John Trapp on Genesis 31 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(47) Jegar-sahadutha.—These are two Syriac words of the same meaning as Gal-’eed, Heap of Witness. A Syriac (or Aramaic) dialect was most probably the ordinary language of the people in Mesopotamia, but it seems plain that Laban and his family also spoke Hebrew, not merely from his calling the placo Mizpah, a Hebrew word, but from the names given by his daughters to their children.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 31 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 47. Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha] יגר שהדותא yegar sahadutha, the heap or round heap of witness; but Jacob called it galed, which signifies the same thing. The first is pure Chaldee, the second pure Hebrew. אגר agar signifies to collect, hence יגר yegar and אוגר ogar, a collection or heap made up of gathered stones; and hence also אגורא egora, an altar, used frequently by the Chaldee paraphrast. See 1Kg 12:33; Judges 6:31; 2Kg 21:3; Jeremiah 17:1. See Castel's Lexicon. From this example we may infer that the Chaldee language was nearly coequal with the Hebrew. A gloss made by St. Jerome, and which was probably only entered by him in his margin as a note, has crept into the text of…
Read AdamClarke on Genesis 31 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges47. And Laban called it] This verse, which anticipates and does not agree with Genesis 31:48-49, must be a learned gloss. Laban the Syrian (cf. Genesis 31:20, Genesis 28:5) gives an Aramaic name, Jacob the Hebrew gives a Hebrew name. In the region of Gilead, in later times, both languages were probably spoken1[25]. [25] “Pillars of testimony” occur to-day in groups at many places, especially where the traveller first catches sight of some sacred spot. Thereupon he sets stones one upon the other in the shape of a column, and says, “Oh, so and so (mentioning the name of the saint whose weli he sees), as I by this bear testimony to thee, so do thou bear testimony to me in the day of judgment”…
Read Cambridge on Genesis 31 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible47. Jegar-sahadutha… Galeed — The Aramaic and Hebrew words, respectively, for heap of witness. éâøyegar, or gar, is a dialectic variation of âì, gal, rendered heap in Genesis 31:46.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 31 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed.
Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.
Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed.
Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.
Tyndale line
And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.
And Laban called it Jegar-saha-dutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.
And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.
And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed:
And Laban called it Iegar-sahadutha, and Iaakob called it Galeed.
Strictly literal
And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed.
and Laban calleth it Jegar-Sahadutha; and Jacob hath called it Galeed.
and Laban calls it Jegar-Sahadutha; and Jacob has called it Galeed.
And Laban called it Yegar-sahadutha; but Jacob called it Galed.
Laban called it Jegar Saha Dutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.
From the Latin
And Laban called it The witness heap: and Jacob, The hillock of testimony: each of them according to the propriety of his language.
Simplified
Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, while Jacob called it Galeed.
And the name Laban gave it was Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob gave it the name of Galeed.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Samaritan Pentateuch agree in the overall structure of the verse, though the Samaritan Pentateuch presents two words differently: it uses שׂהדותה (testimony) and גל עד (Galeed). This indicates a slight variation in the naming but retains the essential meaning of the witness pile.
וַיִּקְרָא־ ל֣וֹ לָבָ֔ן יְגַ֖ר שָׂהֲדוּתָ֑א וְיַֽעֲקֹ֔ב קָ֥רָא ל֖וֹ גַּלְעֵֽד׃
6 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ויקרא לו לבן יגר שׂהדותה ויעקב קרא לו גל עד
2 words differ from the Masoretic Text: שׂהדותה (testimony), גל עד (Galeed)
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Genesis 31:47
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word קָרָא (qara') is a primitive root meaning to call, proclaim, or read. It encompasses a range of actions including calling out, crying for help, reading aloud, and summoning. The word can also imply being called or named in various contexts. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read
Qal
call, cry, utter a loud sound
call, cry
call unto some one
cry for help
proclaim
read aloud
read to oneself
summon
call = name
Niph.
reflex.
pass. be called
Pu. be called
base
H7121 קָרָא call, proclaim, read .. . call, cry, utter a loud sound
. call, cry
. . call unto some one
. cry for help
. proclaim
. . read aloud
. read to oneself
. summon
. call = name
. . reflex.
. pass. be called
. be called
7121 qara' kaw-raw'
a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea
of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly,
address by name, but used in a wide variety of
applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for,
forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite,
mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation),
pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
see HEBREW for 07122
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.
: call_to/invite/entreat
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow
1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to call oneself
1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named
1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.
: call_by/name
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
וֹ (o) — him.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3ms
לָבָן (la.van) refers to Laban, a figure from the Patriarchal narratives, specifically the son of Bethuel and brother of Rebekah, who is the father-in-law of Jacob. The term also denotes a location associated with the Israelites' desert journey. The name Laban means 'white' and appears in contexts relating to both a person and a geographical site.
לָבָן 54 n.pr.m. son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah, and father-in-law of Jacob
base
לָבָן n.pr.loc. connected with desert-journey of Israelites Dt 1:1
ref
H3837a לָבָן son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah, and father-in-law of Jacob H3837b לָבָן connected with desert-journey of Israelites
3837 Laban law-bawn'
the same as 3836; Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the
Desert:--Laban.
see HEBREW for 03836
לָבָן (la.van) — Laban.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.24.29;
son of: Bethuel (H1328A);
brother of: Rebekah (H7259);
father of: Rachel (H7354) and Leah (H3812)
§ Laban = "white"
son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah, and father of Leah and Rachel
לָבָן (la.van) — Laban.
§ Laban = "white"
a wilderness encampment of the Israelites
N-proper — Noun proper masculineHNpm
la'-ban: The person named Laban, labhan; (Laban, possibly connected with the root meaning "to be white," from which in Hebrew the adjective meaning "white" has just this form) is first introduced to the reader of Genesis in the story of the wooing of Rebekah (Genesis 24). He belonged to that branch of the family of Terah that was derived from Abraham's brother Nahor and his niece Milcah. The genealogy of this branch is traced in Ge 22:20-24; but, true to its purpose and the place it occupies in the book, this genealogy brings the family down to Rebekah, and there stops without mentioning Laban. Accordingly, when Rebekah is introduced in the narrative of Genesis 24, she is referred to (24:15,24) in a way that recalls to the reader the genealogy already given; but when her brother Laban is introduced (24:29), he is related to his…
Laban
White. (1.) The son of Bethuel, who was the son of Nahor, Abraham’s brother. He lived at Haran in Mesopotamia. His sister Rebekah was Isaac’s wife (Gen. 24). Jacob, one of the sons of this marriage, fled to the house of Laban, whose daughters Leah and Rachel (ch. 29) he eventually married. (See JACOB.)
(2.) A city in the Arabian desert in the route of the Israelites (Deut. 1:1), probably identical with Libnah (Num. 33:20).
(white). Son of Bethuel, brother of Rebekah and father of Leah and Rachel. (B.C. about 1860-1740.) The elder branch of the family remained at Haran, Mesopotamia, when Abraham removed to the land of Canaan, and it is there that we first meet with Laban, as taking the leading part in the betrothal of his sister Rebekah to her cousin Isaac. (Genesis 24:10,29-60; 27:43; 29:5) The next time Laban appears in the sacred narrative it is as the host of his nephew Jacob at Haran. (Genesis 29:13,14) [JACOB] Jacob married Rachel and Leah, daughters of Laban, and remained with him 20 years, B.C. 1760-1740. But Laban’s dishonest and overreaching practice toward his nephew shows from what source Jacob inherited his tendency to sharp dealing. Nothing is said of Laban after Jacob left him. One…
A rich herdsman of Mesopotamia, son of Bethuel, and grandson of Mahor, Abraham’s brother, Ge 24:28-31. His character is shown in the gladness with which he gave his sister Rebekah in marriage to the only son of his rich uncle, Abraham, Ge 24:30,50; and in his deceitful and exacting treatment of Jacob his nephew and son-inlaw, against which Jacob defended himself by cunning as well as fidelity. When the prosperity of the one family and the jealousy of the other rendered peace impossible, Jacob, at the command of God, secretly departed, to go to Canaan. Laban pursued him; but being warned by God to do him no harm, returned home after making a treaty of peace. He seems to have known and worshipped God, Ge 24:50 30:27 31:53; but…
H3026a יְגַר n. [m.] (stone-)heap H3026b שָֽׂהֲדוּ n. f. testimony
3026 Ygar Sahaduwtha' yegar' sah-had-oo-thaw'
(Aramaic) from a word derived from an unused root (meaning to
gather) and a derivation of a root corresponding to 7717; heap
of the testimony; Jegar-Sahadutha, a cairn East of the
Jordan:--Jegar-Sahadutha.
see HEBREW for 07717
יְגַר (ye.gar) — Jegar.
Aramaic of ra.mot gi.l.ad (רָמֹת "Ramoth" H7433)
§ Jegar-sahadutha = "witness heap"
the mound of stones raised as witness between Jacob and Laban, called by Jacob in Hebrew 'Galeed'
שָֽׂהֲדוּ (sa.ha.du.ta) — (Ramoth)-sahadutha.
-sahadutha = "of witness"
the mound of stones raised as witness between Jacob and Laban, called by Jacob in Hebrew 'Galeed'
Combined with ra.mot gi.l.ad (רָמֹת "Ramoth" H7433)
Adj — Noun properHNpl
H3026a יְגַר n. [m.] (stone-)heap H3026b שָֽׂהֲדוּ n. f. testimony
3026 Ygar Sahaduwtha' yegar' sah-had-oo-thaw'
(Aramaic) from a word derived from an unused root (meaning to
gather) and a derivation of a root corresponding to 7717; heap
of the testimony; Jegar-Sahadutha, a cairn East of the
Jordan:--Jegar-Sahadutha.
see HEBREW for 07717
יְגַר (ye.gar) — Jegar.
Aramaic of ra.mot gi.l.ad (רָמֹת "Ramoth" H7433)
§ Jegar-sahadutha = "witness heap"
the mound of stones raised as witness between Jacob and Laban, called by Jacob in Hebrew 'Galeed'
שָֽׂהֲדוּ (sa.ha.du.ta) — (Ramoth)-sahadutha.
-sahadutha = "of witness"
the mound of stones raised as witness between Jacob and Laban, called by Jacob in Hebrew 'Galeed'
Combined with ra.mot gi.l.ad (רָמֹת "Ramoth" H7433)
HNpl — Noun properHNpl
יַעֲקֹב (i.e. *Ya`aqob*) refers to Jacob, a key figure in the Old Testament. The word is derived from a root meaning 'heel-catcher' or 'supplanter.' Jacob is the son of Isaac and Rebekah, brother of Esau, and father of the twelve tribes of Israel. He is also known as Israel, highlighting his significance in biblical history.
יַעֲקֹב 344, יַעֲקוֹב 6 n.pr.m. et gent. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, father of tribes of Isr.
as n.pr.m.
as n.pr.gent.
base
H3290 יַעֲקֹב, יַעֲקוֹב Jacob
3290 Ya`aqob yah-ak-obe'
from 6117; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the
Israelitish patriarch:--Jacob.
see HEBREW for 06117
יַעֲקֹב (ya.a.qov) — Jacob.
A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26;
son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259);
brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A);
father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently
Another name of yis.ra.el (יִשְׂרָאֵל "Israel" H3478)
§ Jacob = "heel holder" or "supplanter"
son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel
Conj | N-proper — Conjunction · noun proper masculineHC/Npm
Jacob
One who follows on another’s heels; supplanter, (Gen. 25:26; 27:36; Hos. 12:2-4), the second born of the twin sons of Isaac by Rebekah. He was born probably at Lahai-roi, when his father was fifty-nine and Abraham one hundred and fifty-nine years old. Like his father, he was of a quiet and gentle disposition, and when he grew up followed the life of a shepherd, while his brother Esau became an enterprising hunter. His dealing with Esau, however, showed much mean selfishness and cunning (Gen. 25:29-34).
When Isaac was about 160 years of age, Jacob and his mother conspired to deceive the aged patriarch (Gen. 27), with the view of procuring the transfer of the birthright to himself. The birthright secured to him who…
(supplanter), the second son of Isaac and Rebekah. He was born with Esau, probably at the well of Lahai-roi, about B.C. 1837. His history is related in the latter half of the book of Genesis. He bought the birthright from his brother Esau, and afterward acquired the blessing intended for Esau, by practicing a well-known deceit on Isaac. (Jacob did not obtain the blessing because of his deceit, but in spite of it. That which was promised he would have received in some good way; but Jacob and his mother, distrusting God’s promise, sought the promised blessing in a wrong way, and received with it trouble and sorrow. --ED.) Jacob, in his 78th year, was sent from the family home to avoid his brother, and to seek a wife among his kindred in Padan-aram. As he passed through Bethel, God appeared to him. After the lapse of twenty-one years he returned from Padan-aram with two wives, two…
Son of Isaac and Rebekah, and twin-brother to Esau. As at his birth he held his brother’s heel, he was called Jacob, that is, the heelholder, one who comes behind and catches the heel of his adversary, a supplanter, Ge 25:26. This was a king of predictive intimation of his future conduct in life. Jacob was meek and peaceable, living a shepherd life at home. Esau was more turbulent and fierce, and passionately fond of hunting. Isaac was partial to Esau, Rebekah to Jacob. Jacob having taken advantage of his brother’s absence and his father’s infirmity to obtain the blessing of the birthright, or primogeniture, was compelled to fly into Mesopotamia to avoid the consequences of his brother’s wrath, Ge 27:1-28:22. On his journey the Lord appeared to him in a dream, (see LADDER,)…
that supplants, undermines; the heel
The Hebrew word קָרָא (qara') is a primitive root meaning to call, proclaim, or read. It encompasses a range of actions including calling out, crying for help, reading aloud, and summoning. The word can also imply being called or named in various contexts. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.
קָרָא 724 vb. call, proclaim, read
Qal
call, cry, utter a loud sound
call, cry
call unto some one
cry for help
proclaim
read aloud
read to oneself
summon
call = name
Niph.
reflex.
pass. be called
Pu. be called
base
H7121 קָרָא call, proclaim, read .. . call, cry, utter a loud sound
. call, cry
. . call unto some one
. cry for help
. proclaim
. . read aloud
. read to oneself
. summon
. call = name
. . reflex.
. pass. be called
. be called
7121 qara' kaw-raw'
a primitive root (rather identical with 7122 through the idea
of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly,
address by name, but used in a wide variety of
applications):--bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for,
forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite,
mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(- ation),
pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
see HEBREW for 07122
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call to.
: call_to/invite/entreat
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
1a5) to summon, invite, call for, call and commission, appoint, call and endow
1a6) to call, name, give name to, call by
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to call oneself
1b2) to be called, be proclaimed, be read aloud, be summoned, be named
1c) (Pual) to be called, be named, be called out, be chosen
קָרָא (qa.ra) — to call: call by.
: call_by/name
1) to call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to call, cry, utter a loud sound
1a2) to call unto, cry (for help), call (with name of God)
1a3) to proclaim
1a4) to read aloud, read (to oneself), read
V-Qal-Perf-3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
וֹ (o) — him.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine singular
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3ms
גַּלְעֵד (Gal`ed) means 'witness-pile' and refers to a heap of stones set up by Jacob to mark a covenant with Laban. It is identified as a memorial cairn located east of the Jordan, specifically on Mt. Gilead. The word is built from roots meaning 'heap' and 'testimony,' emphasizing its role as a marker of agreement.
גַּלְעֵד n.pr.loc. (witness-pile) name of pile of stones erected by Jacob and his company
base
H1567 גַּלְעֵד (witness-pile) name of pile of stones erected by Jacob and his company
1567 Gal`ed gal-ade'
from 1530 and 5707; heap of testimony; Galed, a memorial
cairn East of the Jordan:--Galeed.
see HEBREW for 01530
see HEBREW for 05707
גַּלְעֵד (gal.ed) — Galeed.
Galeed = "witness heap"
the pile of stones heaped up between Jacob and Laban to certify their covenant; located on Mt Gilead
Another name of ra.mot gi.l.ad (רָמֹת "Ramoth" H7433)
N-proper — Noun properHNpl
gal'-e-ed (gal`edh): Derived from the Hebrew gal, "a heap of stones," and `edh, "witness." The meaning therefore is "cairn" or "heap of witness," corresponding to yeghar-sahddhutha' in Aramaic (Ge 31:47). It is applied to the cairn raised by Jacob and Laban, beside which they sealed their covenant in a common meal, the memory of which they appealed to the silent cairn to preserve. The ancient custom of associating events with inanimate objects as witnesses is often illustrated in Hebrew history (Jos 4:4 ff, etc.). There may be in this narrative a suggestion of how the name "Gilead" came to be applied to that country.
W. Ewing
Galeed
Heap of witness, the name of the pile of stones erected by Jacob and Laban to mark the league of friendship into which they entered with each other (Gen. 31:47, 48). This was the name given to the “heap” by Jacob. It is Hebrew, while the name Jegar-sahadutha, given to it by Laban, is Aramaic (Chaldee or Syriac). Probably Nahor’s family originally spoke Aramaic, and Abraham and his descendants learned Hebrew, a kindred dialect, in the land of Canaan.
(the heap of witness), the name given by Jacob to the heap which he and Laban made on Mount Gilead in witness of the covenant then entered into between them. (Genesis 31:47,48) comp. Genesis31:23,25
the heap of witness