Treaty at Mizpah
- The story requires this unmentioned time gap because Jacob could not have traveled the 350 miles from Harran to Gilead in only ten days. Walton, “Genesis,” 111–113.
- See The Forbidden Tree.
- See A Family United.
- Walton, “Genesis,” 113; Leviticus 15:19–20.
- Wenham, Genesis 16–50, 277; see Exodus 22:10–13.
- WorldAtlas, “What Is an Arid Climate?,” by Victor Kiprop, May 13, 2019, https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-an-arid-climate.html.
- Genesis 22:8, 14.
- Hamilton, Book of Genesis: Chapters 18–50, 310.
- Genesis 31:29.
- Hamilton, Book of Genesis: Chapters 18–50, 314; Ross, “Genesis,” 186; Wenham, Genesis 16–50, 280.
- The meal eaten by the stones is the same meal mentioned in verse 54. The covenant is summarized here, with the details following.
- See Genesis 29:20–30.
- Laban’s claim that he set up the pillar does not contradict verse 45, where Jacob set it up. Rather, Laban was again trying to assert his authority by claiming that Jacob and their relatives had acted under his leadership. See Outcry.
- That Laban was referring to more than one deity is shown by the plural verb yishpetu (“may they judge”).
- Because this was a fellowship offering, not a burnt offering, only a portion of the meat was burned on the altar. The rest was eaten by those participating in the covenant.