The Meaning of Genesis 31:49 Explained

Genesis 31:49

KJV: And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.

YLT: Mizpah also, for he said, 'Jehovah doth watch between me and thee, for we are hidden one from another;

Darby: and Mizpah; for he said, Let Jehovah watch between me and thee, when we shall be hidden one from another:

ASV: and Mizpah, for he said, Jehovah watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And Mizpah;  for  he said,  The LORD  watch  between me and thee, when we are absent  one  from another. 

What does Genesis 31:49 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 31:43-55 - The Covenant Between Jacob And Laban
In our time covenants are engrossed on parchment, so that there may be written documentary evidence accessible, to prove that certain transactions have taken place. The same object was conserved, where the art of writing was confined to the few, by the erection of monuments, whose existence was associated with the agreements into which men had entered with one another. Though these two men were far below the Christian ideal of character, it is evident that they lived in an habitual recognition of God and the eternal sanction of His presence. The Lord was to watch between them. God was to be witness and judge. The third generation looked back on the days of Terah with reverential awe and loyalty, and commemorated their grandfather Terah's God. [source]

Chapter Summary: Genesis 31

1  Jacob, displeased with the envy of Laban and his sons, departs secretly
19  Rachel steals her father's household gods
22  Laban pursues after him, and complains of the wrong
34  Rachel's plan to hide the images
36  Jacob's complaint of Laban
43  The covenant of Laban and Jacob at Galeed

What do the individual words in Genesis 31:49 mean?

and also Mizpah because he said May watch Yahweh between me and you when we are absent one from another
וְהַמִּצְפָּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָמַ֔ר יִ֥צֶף יְהוָ֖ה בֵּינִ֣י וּבֵינֶ֑ךָ כִּ֥י נִסָּתֵ֖ר אִ֥ישׁ מֵרֵעֵֽהוּ

וְהַמִּצְפָּה֙  and  also  Mizpah 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Article, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִצְפָּה  
Sense: a place in Gilead north of Jabbok and location of Laban’s cairn.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר  because 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
אָמַ֔ר  he  said 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
יִ֥צֶף  May  watch 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Jussive, third person masculine singular
Root: צָפָה  
Sense: to look out or about, spy, keep watch, observe, watch.
יְהוָ֖ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
בֵּינִ֣י  between  me 
Parse: Preposition, first person common singular
Root: בַּיִן 
Sense: between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between.
וּבֵינֶ֑ךָ  and  you 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition, second person masculine singular
Root: בַּיִן 
Sense: between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between.
נִסָּתֵ֖ר  we  are  absent 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, first person common plural
Root: סָתַר  
Sense: to hide, conceal.
אִ֥ישׁ  one 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֱנׄושׁ 
Sense: man, mortal man, person, mankind.
מֵרֵעֵֽהוּ  from  another 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: רֵעַ  
Sense: friend, companion, fellow, another person.