Bible Strands
Genesis 31:47
Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Laban and Jacob stand at a stone pile they just constructed after gathering stones with their respective groups. This moment occurs as they finalize a boundary marker and establish a mutual agreement between their families.
The words — The text records two names for the site: יְגַר־שָׂהֲדוּתָא (Yegar-sahadutha) and גַלְעֵד (Galeed). Both terms literally translate to "heap of witness," reflecting the Aramaic and Hebrew labels for the same landmark.
The thread — Genesis 31:48 immediately follows with Laban declaring the mound a witness between them that day. The witness motif also appears in Hebrews 12:1, which describes a great cloud of witnesses surrounding believers.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to see how physical markers and bilingual documentation establish clear boundaries and mutual accountability. It demands that agreements be visibly recorded and acknowledged across cultural and linguistic divides.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Laban called it Jegar–sahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.
Cross-references
- 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.