Why did Laban say to Jacob, “May the Lord watch between you and me” (Genesis 31:49)?

Answer

In Genesis 31:48–49, Laban said to Jacob, “‘This heap [of stones] is a witness between you and me today.’ That is why it was called Galeed. It was also called Mizpah because he said, ‘May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other.’” Laban’s words to Jacob at Mizpah were part of a covenant between the two as they parted ways.

Both Laban and his nephew Jacob were deceitful men. When the God-appointed time came for Jacob to leave Laban’s house in Paddan Aram and return to his father, Isaac, Laban was reluctant to let him go. Therefore, while Laban was away on a sheep-shearing mission three days from home, Jacob took his family, livestock, and all his possessions and set off secretly for the land of Canaan (Genesis 31:17-20).

When Laban learned of Jacob’s departure, he immediately set out in pursuit. However, along the way, God appeared to Laban in a dream and advised him to let Jacob go peacefully. Despite this, Laban concluded their twenty-year relationship in a contentious legal dispute involving accusations of stolen idols and a counter-claim from Jacob regarding years of harsh labor and mistreatment (Genesis 31:25-42).

Subsequently, Laban proposed that they establish a treaty to define a boundary between them: “Come now, let’s make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us” «Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee. », (Genesis 31:44).

Jacob erected a stone monument where he and Laban sat down to partake in a covenant meal. To commemorate the event, Laban called the placeAt Jegar-sahadutha, which means “witness pile” in Aramaic, Jacob named it Galeed, which means “witness pile” in Hebrew «And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed. », (Genesis 31:47).

Laban also gave it the Hebrew name Mizpah, meaning “watchtower.” Laban said, “May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other” «and Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. », (Genesis 31:49). The New Living Translation states, “May the LORD keep watch between us to ensure that we uphold this covenant when we are apart.” Laban doubted Jacob’s commitment to the covenant.

Laban saw in Jacob a reflection of his own deceitful nature—a kinsman cut from the same dishonest cloth. In Jacob’s absence, Laban harbored suspicions. Laban also used legal terms to mask his own lack of trustworthiness. He imposed terms on the covenant to further bind Jacob: “If you mistreat my daughters or take other wives besides my daughters, know that God is a witness between us” «If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee. », (Genesis 31:50, GWT).

Despite Jacob constructing the monument, Laban claimed credit for it, stating, “Look at this heap of stones . . . and see this pillar I have erected between us. They serve as witnesses of our promises. I will not cross this heap to harm you, and you must not pass these stones or this pillar to harm me” (Genesis 31:51-52;NLT).

May the Lord watch over us both.When you and I was a statement motivated by wariness and distrust. Once out of sight, Laban did not trust Jacob, so he called on the Lord to keep watch or be on the lookout for him. His petition was not a prayer for God to take care of the two men while they were separated, as believers sometimes pray. Instead, it was a desperate plea for the Lord to remain vigilant and catch the one who might be planning to harm the other. Today’s English Version captures the idea with these words: “May the Lord keep an eye on us.” As long as the two men were together, they could see what the other was doing and look out for themselves. But once they were hidden from each other’s view, they would have to commend their safety into the Lord’s hands.