Genesis 31:53 Meaning and Explanation
“The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Both men invoke their ancestral gods as judges; Jacob swears by the fear of Isaac his father.
The Context of Genesis 31:53
Both men invoke their ancestral gods as judges of the covenant; Jacob swears by the fear of Isaac.
What Does Genesis 31:53 Mean?
The covenant now calls upon divine judgment. Laban invokes 'the God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor'—acknowledging both men's shared ancestral heritage. The God of Abraham is Jacob's God; the God of Nahor is Laban's. Both deities are appealed to as judges of the covenant.
Jacob seals his oath by swearing 'by the fear of Isaac'—a phrase meaning by his reverence for his father and the God his father reverenced. This linguistic invocation binds Jacob to the covenant through his most sacred family obligation.
Genesis 31:53 in the Original Language
Fear (פַּחַד, pachad): 'fear' or 'dread'—here used as a shorthand for reverence and the religious devotion that characterized Isaac.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 31:53
What does Genesis 31:53 mean?
Both men invoke their ancestral gods as judges; Jacob swears by the fear of Isaac his father.
What is the context of Genesis 31:53?
Both men invoke their ancestral gods as judges of the covenant; Jacob swears by the fear of Isaac.