51 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;
51 Laban also said to Jacob, "Here is this heap, and here is this pillar I have set up between you and me.
51 Then Laban said to Jacob, "See this heap and the pillar, which I have set between you and me.
51 Laban continued to Jacob, "This monument of stones and this stone pillar that I have set up is a witness,
51 Then Laban said to Jacob, "Here is this heap and here is this pillar, which I have placed between you and me.
51 "See this pile of stones," Laban continued, "and see this monument I have set between us.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 31:51
Commentary on Genesis 31:43-55
(Read Genesis 31:43-55)
Laban could neither justify himself nor condemn Jacob, therefore desires to hear no more of that matter. He is not willing to own himself in fault, as he ought to have done. But he proposes a covenant of friendship between them, to which Jacob readily agrees. A heap of stones was raised, to keep up the memory of the event, writing being then not known or little used. A sacrifice of peace offerings was offered. Peace with God puts true comfort into our peace with our friends. They did eat bread together, partaking of the feast upon the sacrifice. In ancient times covenants of friendship were ratified by the parties eating and drinking together. God is judge between contending parties, and he will judge righteously; whoever do wrong, it is at their peril. They gave a new name to the place, The heap of witness. After this angry parley, they part friends. God is often better to us than our fears, and overrules the spirits of men in our favour, beyond what we could have expected; for it is not in vain to trust in him.