Genesis 31:44

Authorized King James Version

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Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.

Original Language Analysis

וְעַתָּ֗ה H6258
וְעַתָּ֗ה
Strong's: H6258
Word #: 1 of 10
at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive
לְכָ֛ה H1980
לְכָ֛ה
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 2 of 10
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
נִכְרְתָ֥ה let us make H3772
נִכְרְתָ֥ה let us make
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 3 of 10
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
בְרִ֖ית a covenant H1285
בְרִ֖ית a covenant
Strong's: H1285
Word #: 4 of 10
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
אֲנִ֣י H589
אֲנִ֣י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 5 of 10
i
וָאָ֑תָּה H859
וָאָ֑תָּה
Strong's: H859
Word #: 6 of 10
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
וְהָיָ֥ה H1961
וְהָיָ֥ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 7 of 10
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְעֵ֖ד I and thou and let it be for a witness H5707
לְעֵ֖ד I and thou and let it be for a witness
Strong's: H5707
Word #: 8 of 10
concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince
בֵּינִ֥י H996
בֵּינִ֥י
Strong's: H996
Word #: 9 of 10
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
וּבֵינֶֽךָ׃ H996
וּבֵינֶֽךָ׃
Strong's: H996
Word #: 10 of 10
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

Cross References

Genesis 15:18In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:Genesis 31:52This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.Genesis 31:48And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;Deuteronomy 31:21And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.Deuteronomy 31:19Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.Deuteronomy 31:26Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.Joshua 22:27But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.

Analysis & Commentary

Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me ... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include:

  1. divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13)
  2. God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness
  3. discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation
  4. generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break
  5. prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith.

Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

Historical Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Questions for Reflection

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