Genesis 31:48

ESV Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me today." Therefore he named it Galeed,
NIV Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me today." That is why it was called Galeed.
NASB Laban said, 'This heap is a witness between you and me this day.' Therefore it was named Galeed,
CSB Then Laban said, "This mound is a witness between you and me today." Therefore the place was called Galeed
NLT Then Laban declared, 'This pile of stones will stand as a witness to remind us of the covenant we have made today.' This explains why it was called Galeed — 'Witness Pile.'
KJV And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;
NKJV And Laban said, “This heap is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore its name was called Galeed,

What does Genesis 31:48 mean?

Jacob and Laban are making a covenant together, establishing their peaceful separation. Jacob has been cheated and abused by Laban for the past twenty years, yet was able to prosper thanks to God's direct intervention (Genesis 31:10–12). Even Laban's own daughters, Jacob's wives, agree that their father is motivated by greed, and has no love for them (Genesis 31:14–16). As much as Laban might like to force Jacob to stay, he was explicitly warned by God not to interfere with Jacob (Genesis 31:24). So, the two clans have established an agreement, and markers to commemorate it. These verses explain the details of that arrangement.

Both groups have given the place of their meeting names which mean "cairn (or heap) of witness." Now Laban says that this heap of stones will serve as a witness to their agreement. Galeed is the Hebrew term for "cairn of stones," or "cairn of witness," which is equivalent to the Aramaic name given by Laban in the prior verse: Jegar-sahadutha. The following verse gives another Hebrew title for this important location.
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