Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.

GENESIS 31:54KJV
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Genesis 31:54 (KJV)

What does Genesis 31:54 mean?

Genesis 31:54 describes Jacob making a sacrifice on a mountain and inviting his relatives to share a meal with him, after which they stayed overnight on the mountain. This verse marks a moment of agreement and peaceful closure between Jacob and his relatives following earlier tensions.

Jacob, having just made a covenant with Laban (his father-in-law), offers a sacrifice as a sign of commitment and calls his "brethren"—likely his family and close associates—to eat bread together. Sharing bread in this context is a sign of fellowship and sealing their agreement. The group remains on the mountain overnight, highlighting the seriousness and communal nature of the event.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 31:54

  • "offered" (זָבַח, zāvaḥ): This word means to slaughter or sacrifice, usually in a religious sense. Jacob's action is not just a meal but a formal act of worship or dedication.
  • "sacrifice" (זֶבַח, zevaḥ): This word refers to the actual animal or offering given in sacrifice, emphasizing that this was a ritual act, not just a meal.
  • "mount" (הַר, har): The use of "mount" shows the event took place on a high place, which in ancient times was often associated with worship or making covenants.
  • "called" (קָרָא, qārā’): This word means to summon or invite, showing Jacob is the host, actively bringing his group together for this significant meal.

Why Genesis 31:54 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the meal was not just for physical nourishment but was tied to a solemn agreement, marked by a sacrifice, which was a common way to seal covenants in ancient times.
  • The emphasis on Jacob inviting his "brethren" and staying overnight shows the importance of community and shared commitment in resolving disputes.
  • Genesis 31:54 connects to the wider story by showing the peaceful resolution between Jacob and Laban, setting the stage for Jacob's return home without lingering conflict.

Where else these words appear

“night” Hebrew H3885 · used in 79 verses

  • Genesis 19:2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.
  • Joshua 4:3 And command ye them, saying, Take you hence out of the midst of Jordan, out of the place where the priests' feet stood firm, twelve stones, and ye shall carry them over with you, and leave them in the lodging place, where ye shall lodge this night.
  • Job 17:2 Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation?

“offered” Hebrew H2076 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 46:1 And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.
  • 1 Samuel 2:13 And the priests' custom with the people was, that, when any man offered sacrifice, the priest's servant came, while the flesh was in seething, with a fleshhook of three teeth in his hand;
  • 2 Chronicles 15:11 And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.