Genesis 31:53-55
Amplified Bible
53 The God of Abraham [your father] and the God of Nahor [my father], and the [a]god [the image of worship] of their father [Terah, an idolater], judge between us.” But Jacob swore [only] by [the one true God] the Fear of his father Isaac.(A) 54 Then Jacob offered a sacrifice [to the Lord] on the mountain, and called his relatives to the meal; and they ate food and spent the night on the mountain. 55 Early in the morning Laban got up and kissed his [b]grandchildren and his daughters [goodbye] and pronounced a blessing [asking God’s favor] on them. Then Laban left and returned home.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Genesis 31:53 Here “god” is put in lowercase because Joshua later declared that Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, was an idolater, serving “other gods” (Josh 24:2). The wording of the Hebrew here indicates that Laban equated the God of Abraham and Nahor with the god of Terah. Whether Laban actually made no distinction in his mind between the true God and false gods, or simply committed an oversight, is not clear. Jacob evidently recognized the ambiguity in Laban’s statement as well, so to avoid any possibility of swearing allegiance to a false god, he swore his own oath by the God of Isaac.
- Genesis 31:55 Lit sons.
Genesis 31:53-55
New International Version
53 May the God of Abraham(A) and the God of Nahor,(B) the God of their father, judge between us.”(C)
So Jacob took an oath(D) in the name of the Fear of his father Isaac.(E) 54 He offered a sacrifice(F) there in the hill country and invited his relatives to a meal.(G) After they had eaten, they spent the night there.
55 Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters(H) and blessed(I) them. Then he left and returned home.[a](J)
Footnotes
- Genesis 31:55 In Hebrew texts this verse (31:55) is numbered 32:1.
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