Genesis 31:50 - If you afflict my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters, no man is with us; behold, God is witness between me and you.”
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What does "Genesis 31:50" mean?
This verse is spoken by Laban to Jacob as they are making a covenant between them. To understand its meaning, we need to consider the context:
Context: Jacob is leaving Laban's house (his father-in-law) to return to his homeland with his wives (Laban's daughters, Leah and Rachel) and children. Jacob felt that Laban had been exploiting him, and there was tension and distrust.
Laban's Concerns: Laban is concerned about how Jacob will treat his daughters in the future, and about the possibility of Jacob taking additional wives who might diminish the status or inheritance of Leah and Rachel. Laban wants to ensure his daughters are protected.
Explanation of the Verse:
"If you afflict my daughters...": This refers to mistreating, oppressing, or causing harm to Leah and Rachel. Laban is worried that Jacob might become abusive or neglectful.
"...or if you take wives besides my daughters...": This is a common practice in those times, but Laban wants to ensure that Jacob will not marry another woman without Leah and Rachel's consent, or if doing so would cause them harm or diminish their position. It's a concern for their status and inheritance rights.
"no man is with us...": This is a legal way of saying that there are no human witnesses to this agreement. This is a private agreement between the two.
"...behold, God is witness between me and you.": Because there are no human witnesses, Laban invokes God as the ultimate witness and enforcer of the covenant. He's saying that God will hold Jacob accountable for his treatment of Laban's daughters. It adds weight and solemnity to the agreement.
In summary, this verse is Laban's attempt to protect his daughters after Jacob leaves. He wants to ensure that Jacob treats them well, doesn't take other wives to their detriment, and that God will hold Jacob accountable for this promise. It's a reflection of the patriarchal society, where women's well-being was often tied to the protection and agreements made by the men in their lives. He's also attempting to exert some control from a distance now that Jacob is leaving his jurisdiction.
Genesis 31:50 - If you afflict my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters, no man is with us; behold, God is witness between me and you.”
What does "Genesis 31:50" mean?
This verse is spoken by Laban to Jacob as they are making a covenant between them. To understand its meaning, we need to consider the context:
Context: Jacob is leaving Laban's house (his father-in-law) to return to his homeland with his wives (Laban's daughters, Leah and Rachel) and children. Jacob felt that Laban had been exploiting him, and there was tension and distrust.
Laban's Concerns: Laban is concerned about how Jacob will treat his daughters in the future, and about the possibility of Jacob taking additional wives who might diminish the status or inheritance of Leah and Rachel. Laban wants to ensure his daughters are protected.
Explanation of the Verse:
"If you afflict my daughters...": This refers to mistreating, oppressing, or causing harm to Leah and Rachel. Laban is worried that Jacob might become abusive or neglectful.
"...or if you take wives besides my daughters...": This is a common practice in those times, but Laban wants to ensure that Jacob will not marry another woman without Leah and Rachel's consent, or if doing so would cause them harm or diminish their position. It's a concern for their status and inheritance rights.
"no man is with us...": This is a legal way of saying that there are no human witnesses to this agreement. This is a private agreement between the two.
"...behold, God is witness between me and you.": Because there are no human witnesses, Laban invokes God as the ultimate witness and enforcer of the covenant. He's saying that God will hold Jacob accountable for his treatment of Laban's daughters. It adds weight and solemnity to the agreement.
In summary, this verse is Laban's attempt to protect his daughters after Jacob leaves. He wants to ensure that Jacob treats them well, doesn't take other wives to their detriment, and that God will hold Jacob accountable for this promise. It's a reflection of the patriarchal society, where women's well-being was often tied to the protection and agreements made by the men in their lives. He's also attempting to exert some control from a distance now that Jacob is leaving his jurisdiction.