49 And Mizpah; [1] for he said, The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.

Other Translations of Genesis 31:49

New International Version

49 It was also called Mizpah,"Mizpah" means "watchtower." because he said, "May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.

English Standard Version

49 and Mizpah,Mizpah means watchpost for he said, "The Lord watch between you and me, when we are out of one another's sight.

The Message

49 It is also called Mizpah (Watchtower) because Laban said, "God keep watch between you and me when we are out of each other's sight.

New King James Version

49 also Mizpah, because he said, "May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another.

New Living Translation

49 But it was also called Mizpah (which means "watchtower"), for Laban said, "May the Lord keep watch between us to make sure that we keep this covenant when we are out of each other's sight.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 31:49

Commentary on Genesis 31:43-55

(Read Genesis 31:43-55)

Laban could neither justify himself nor condemn Jacob, therefore desires to hear no more of that matter. He is not willing to own himself in fault, as he ought to have done. But he proposes a covenant of friendship between them, to which Jacob readily agrees. A heap of stones was raised, to keep up the memory of the event, writing being then not known or little used. A sacrifice of peace offerings was offered. Peace with God puts true comfort into our peace with our friends. They did eat bread together, partaking of the feast upon the sacrifice. In ancient times covenants of friendship were ratified by the parties eating and drinking together. God is judge between contending parties, and he will judge righteously; whoever do wrong, it is at their peril. They gave a new name to the place, The heap of witness. After this angry parley, they part friends. God is often better to us than our fears, and overrules the spirits of men in our favour, beyond what we could have expected; for it is not in vain to trust in him.