Definition and Etymology:
Jegar, also known as Jegar-sahadutha, is a term found in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Genesis. The name "Jegar-sahadutha" is Aramaic, meaning "heap of witness." It is equivalent to the Hebrew "Galeed," which carries the same meaning. The term is significant in the context of a covenant or agreement, serving as a physical reminder of a pact made between two parties.

Biblical Reference:
The primary reference to Jegar-sahadutha is found in Genesis 31:47. This passage recounts the account of Jacob and Laban, who set up a heap of stones as a witness to the covenant they made. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed."

Historical and Cultural Context:
In the ancient Near Eastern culture, covenants were often marked by physical symbols or monuments. These could be altars, pillars, or heaps of stones, serving as tangible reminders of the agreements made. The use of both Aramaic and Hebrew names for the same site underscores the cultural and linguistic diversity of the region during the patriarchal period. Laban, who was from Aram, used the Aramaic term, while Jacob, a Hebrew, used the Hebrew equivalent.

Theological Significance:
Jegar-sahadutha represents more than just a physical location; it symbolizes the importance of oaths and covenants in biblical theology. The heap of stones was a witness to the agreement between Jacob and Laban, emphasizing the seriousness with which such covenants were regarded. This event highlights the biblical theme of God's faithfulness and the importance of human integrity in keeping promises.

Related Concepts:
· Covenant: A central theme in the Bible, covenants are agreements between God and humans or between individuals, often sealed with a sign or symbol.
· Witness: In biblical terms, a witness serves as a testimony to an event or agreement, often involving a physical marker or a verbal declaration.
· Patriarchal Narratives: The account of Jegar-sahadutha is part of the larger narrative of the patriarchs, particularly focusing on Jacob's life and his interactions with his family and God.

Cross-References:
· Genesis 31:48-49 : "Laban said, 'This heap is a witness between you and me today.' Therefore it was named Galeed, and also Mizpah, because he said, 'May the LORD keep watch between you and me when we are absent from each other.'"
· Joshua 24:27 : "And Joshua said to all the people, 'Behold, this stone will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us. So it will be a witness against you, lest you deny your God.'"

Conclusion:
The account of Jegar-sahadutha serves as a reminder of the enduring nature of covenants and the role of physical symbols in biblical history. It reflects the cultural practices of the time and underscores the importance of faithfulness and accountability in human relationships, as well as in one's relationship with God.3026. Yegar Sahadutha -- "heap (of stones) of the testimony, " a ...
... the testimony, " a memorial of Jacob and Laban. Transliteration: Yegar Sahadutha
Phonetic Spelling: (yegar' sah-had-oo-thaw') Short Definition: Jegar-sahadutha. ...
/hebrew/3026.htm - 6k

Chapter xxxi
... And they gathered stones and made a heap and they ate there upon the heap; and
Laban called it Jegar-sahadhutha, but Jacob called it Galed. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxi.htm

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

Jegar-sahadutha (1 Occurrence)
Jegar-sahadutha. Jegarsahadutha, Jegar-sahadutha. Je'gar-sahadu'tha . Easton's
Bible Dictionary ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JEGAR-SAHA-DUTHA. ...
/j/jegar-sahadutha.htm - 7k

Jegar (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Jegar (1 Occurrence). Genesis 31:47 Laban called
it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. (WEB KJV ...
/j/jegar.htm - 6k

Jegar-saha-dutha (1 Occurrence)
Jegar-saha-dutha. Je'gar-sahadu'tha, Jegar-saha-dutha. Jehaleleel .
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia JEGAR-SAHA-DUTHA. ...
/j/jegar-saha-dutha.htm - 7k

Jegarsahadutha (1 Occurrence)
... Hebrew by an equivalent name, Galeed (qv). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
JEGAR-SAHA-DUTHA. je-gar-sa-ha-du'-tha (yeghar sahadhutha ...
/j/jegarsahadutha.htm - 7k

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

Galeed (2 Occurrences)
... 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). ...
/g/galeed.htm - 8k

Laban (52 Occurrences)
... that was Jacob's mother-tongue; for "the heap of witness," erected by uncle and
nephew before they part (Genesis 31:47), is called by the one Jegar-saha-dutha ...
/l/laban.htm - 28k

Jeezerites (1 Occurrence)

/j/jeezerites.htm - 6k

Jehaleleel (1 Occurrence)

/j/jehaleleel.htm - 7k

What is the importance of Mizpah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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