Definition and Meaning:
Galeed is a term found in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Genesis. The name "Galeed" means "heap of witness" in Hebrew. It is a significant location that marks a covenant between Jacob and Laban.

Biblical References:
The primary reference to Galeed is found in Genesis 31:47-48. In this passage, Jacob and Laban, his father-in-law, set up a heap of stones as a witness to the covenant they made. Laban called it "Jegar-sahadutha" in Aramaic, while Jacob called it "Galeed" in Hebrew. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. Then Laban declared, 'This heap is a witness between you and me this day.' Therefore it was named Galeed."

Historical and Cultural Context:
The event at Galeed occurs during a time of tension between Jacob and Laban. After serving Laban for many years, Jacob decides to return to his homeland with his family and possessions. Laban pursues Jacob, leading to a confrontation. The heap of stones at Galeed serves as a physical reminder of their agreement and a boundary marker, ensuring that neither party would cross it to harm the other.

Theological Significance:
Galeed represents the importance of covenants and agreements in biblical narratives. It underscores the value of peace and reconciliation, even amidst conflict. The act of setting up a physical marker as a witness to an agreement is a recurring theme in the Bible, symbolizing the enduring nature of covenants made before God.

Symbolism:
The heap of stones at Galeed symbolizes a witness to the truth and a boundary of peace. It serves as a testament to the promises made between individuals, highlighting the sacredness of oaths and the divine oversight in human affairs.

Related Concepts:
· Covenant: The concept of a covenant is central to the narrative of Galeed. It reflects the biblical theme of agreements made under divine witness.
· Witness: The heap of stones acts as a witness, a common motif in the Bible where physical objects serve as reminders of spiritual truths and commitments.
· Reconciliation: The account of Galeed emphasizes reconciliation and the resolution of disputes through mutual agreement and respect.

Cross-References:
· Mizpah: Another location associated with a covenant between Jacob and Laban, often mentioned alongside Galeed (Genesis 31:49).
· Ebenezer: Similar to Galeed, Ebenezer is a stone set up by Samuel as a witness to God's help (1 Samuel 7:12).

Galeed remains a powerful symbol of the enduring nature of covenants and the importance of maintaining peace and integrity in relationships.Galeed

the heap of witness

Galeed

(the heap of witness), the name given by Jacob to the heap which he and Laban made on Mount Gilead in witness of the masses, but sometimes found in yellowish tear-like drops. But, though galbanum itself is well known, the plant which yields it has not been exactly determined.

Heap of witness, the name of the pile of stones erected by Jacob and Laban to Mark the league of friendship into which they entered with each other (Genesis 31:47, 48). This was the name given to the "heap" by Jacob. It is Hebrew, while the name Jegar-sahadutha, given to it by Laban, is Aramaic (Chaldee or Syriac). Probably Nahor's family originally spoke Aramaic, and Abraham and his descendants learned Hebrew, a kindred dialect, in the land of Canaan. GALEED

gal'-e-ed (gal`edh): Derived from the Hebrew gal, "a heap of stones," and `edh, "witness." The meaning therefore is "cairn" or "heap of witness," corresponding to yeghar-sahddhutha' in Aramaic (Genesis 31:47). It is applied to the cairn raised by Jacob and Laban, beside which they sealed their covenant in a common meal, the memory of which they appealed to the silent cairn to preserve. The ancient custom of associating events with inanimate objects as witnesses is often illustrated in Hebrew history (Joshua 4:4, etc.). There may be in this narrative a suggestion of how the name "Gilead" came to be applied to that country.

W. Ewing

1567. Galed -- "witness-pile," a memorial of stones East of the ...
... "witness-pile," a memorial of stones East of the Jordan River. Transliteration:
Galed Phonetic Spelling: (gal-ade') Short Definition: Galeed. ... Galeed. ...
/hebrew/1567.htm - 6k

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4. <. ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... But when he wished to enter the holy land, he raised on Mount Galeed [4358] the
heap of witness, in token that the lord of Mesopotamia had failed to find ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

Galeed (2 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GALEED. ...Galeed (2 Occurrences). Genesis 31:47
Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. ...
/g/galeed.htm - 8k

Jegarsahadutha (1 Occurrence)
... pile of stones erected as a memorial of the covenant between him and Jacob (Genesis
31:47), who, however, called it in Hebrew by an equivalent name, Galeed (qv ...
/j/jegarsahadutha.htm - 7k

Jegar-sahadutha (1 Occurrence)
... pile of stones erected as a memorial of the covenant between him and Jacob (Genesis
31:47), who, however, called it in Hebrew by an equivalent name, Galeed (qv ...
/j/jegar-sahadutha.htm - 7k

Jegar-saha-dutha (1 Occurrence)
... Septuagint Bounos marturei, "(the) mound witnesses"): The name given by the Aramean,
Laban, to the "cairn of witness," called by Jacob GALEED (which see ...
/j/jegar-saha-dutha.htm - 7k

Laban (52 Occurrences)
... the heap of witness," erected by uncle and nephew before they part (Genesis 31:47),
is called by the one Jegar-saha-dutha and by the other Galeed-phrases which ...
/l/laban.htm - 28k

Gale (8 Occurrences)

/g/gale.htm - 9k

Je'gar-sahadu'tha (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Je'gar-sahadu'tha (1 Occurrence). Genesis 31:47 Laban
called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. (See RSV). ...
/j/je'gar-sahadu'tha.htm - 6k

Jegar (1 Occurrence)
... Jegar (1 Occurrence). Genesis 31:47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob
called it Galeed. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). ...
/j/jegar.htm - 6k

Gales (1 Occurrence)

/g/gales.htm - 6k

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