Topical Bible: Covenant: Jacob and Laban

◄ Covenant: Jacob and Laban ►

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The covenant between Jacob and Laban is a significant event recorded in the Book of Genesis, illustrating themes of family, conflict resolution, and divine providence. This covenant is found in Genesis 31, where Jacob and Laban, his father-in-law, come to an agreement after a period of tension and mistrust.

Background

Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, fled to his uncle Laban's household in Haran to escape the wrath of his brother Esau. During his time with Laban, Jacob married Laban's daughters, Leah and Rachel, and worked for Laban for many years, amassing considerable wealth in livestock. However, tensions arose as Laban's sons accused Jacob of taking their father's wealth, and Laban's attitude towards Jacob changed (Genesis 31:1-2).

The Flight and Pursuit

Prompted by a divine message, Jacob decided to return to his homeland with his family and possessions. He left secretly, fearing Laban's reaction (Genesis 31:3, 17-21). When Laban discovered Jacob's departure, he pursued him, overtaking him in the hill country of Gilead. Before confronting Jacob, God warned Laban in a dream not to harm Jacob (Genesis 31:22-24).

The Confrontation

Upon meeting, Laban accused Jacob of deceit and theft, particularly concerning his household gods, which Rachel had secretly taken (Genesis 31:25-30). Jacob, unaware of Rachel's actions, allowed Laban to search their belongings, but the idols remained undiscovered (Genesis 31:31-35).

The Covenant

After airing their grievances, Jacob and Laban sought to resolve their differences. They agreed to a covenant, setting up a heap of stones as a witness between them. Laban declared, "This heap is a witness between you and me today" (Genesis 31:48). The place was named Galeed, and also Mizpah, for Laban said, "May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are absent from each other" (Genesis 31:49).

The covenant included several stipulations: Jacob was not to mistreat Laban's daughters or take additional wives, and neither party was to cross the heap of stones to harm the other (Genesis 31:50-52). They called upon God as a witness to their agreement, and Jacob offered a sacrifice on the mountain, inviting his relatives to share a meal, signifying the covenant's ratification (Genesis 31:53-54).

Significance

The covenant between Jacob and Laban highlights the importance of peaceful conflict resolution and the role of divine oversight in human affairs. It underscores the sanctity of family relationships and the necessity of trust and accountability. The narrative also reflects God's faithfulness to Jacob, ensuring his safe return to the Promised Land and the continuation of the Abrahamic covenant through his lineage.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 31:44-54
Now therefore come you, let us make a covenant, I and you; and let it be for a witness between me and you.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Chapter xxxi
... forestall this he suggests a "covenant." This covenant might serve to deter Jacob,
of whose justice and fairness he is convinced, and who, Laban trusts, will ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxi.htm

Praying Saints of the Old Testaments
... Then it was he entered into a very definite covenant with Almighty God, and in ... Twenty
years had passed while Jacob tarried at the house of Laban, and he had ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/i praying saints of the.htm

Chapter xxx
... the higher level where she asks for grace from the faithful covenant God Yahweh ... to
pass that when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban: Let me ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxx.htm

A Man Expects to Reap the Same Kind as He Sows.
... through his Life; although he was a friend of God, a kinsman of Abraham, and was
third in the line of the covenant, yet God ... Jacob found in Laban just such a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sowing and reaping/chapter iv a man expects.htm

Jacob and Esau
... made between himself and God, a covenant that is ... While he lived with Laban, what
miserable work it was ... Then, the device that Jacob used, when he endeavoured to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/jacob and esau.htm

The Twofold Wrestle --God's with Jacob and Jacob's with God
... of His own command and promise, of Jacob's unworthiness of God's past mercies, and
of His firm covenant. ... With Laban, a man of craft like himself, it was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the twofold wrestlegods with jacob.htm

Argument. --That God Also Appeared to Jacob as an Angel; Namely ...
... for I have seen all that Laban hath done ... Him, as the author of this blessing, Jacob
also signified ... compared with the "Angel of the Covenant" (Angelus Testamenti ...
/.../chapter xix argument that god also.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... through history Jacob's blessing upon Judah. From this inquiry it will appear how
deep has been the impression made by it upon the people of the covenant. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

Chapter xxviii
... and he went to Paddan-Aram to Laban, the son ... with those that preceded, Yahweh, the
merciful covenant God, proceeds to confirm to Jacob "the blessing ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxviii.htm

Introduction
... Abraham's Covenant with Abimelech at Beersheba (21:22-34).13 ... Children and His Increasing
Wealth (29:31-30:43).7. Jacob's Flight from Laban; their Treaty ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/introduction.htm