Definition and Meaning:
Sahadutha is a term found in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Genesis. It is an Aramaic word meaning "witness heap" or "heap of testimony." This term is used in the context of a covenant or agreement, serving as a physical reminder of a pact made between two parties.

Biblical Context:
The term Sahadutha appears in Genesis 31, during the account of the covenant between Jacob and Laban. After years of service to Laban, Jacob decides to return to his homeland with his family and possessions. Laban pursues Jacob, and after a tense encounter, they agree to a covenant of peace. To commemorate this agreement, they set up a heap of stones as a witness to their pact.

Scriptural Reference:
Genesis 31:47 states, "Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed." Here, "Jegar-sahadutha" is the Aramaic name given by Laban, while "Galeed" is the Hebrew equivalent used by Jacob, both meaning "heap of witness."

Theological Significance:
The use of Sahadutha in this narrative underscores the importance of covenants in biblical times. Covenants were solemn agreements that often involved a physical sign or symbol to serve as a reminder of the promises made. The heap of stones, or Sahadutha, served as a tangible witness to the agreement between Jacob and Laban, ensuring that neither party would cross the boundary to harm the other.

Cultural and Historical Insights:
In the ancient Near Eastern culture, covenants were binding agreements that were often accompanied by rituals or symbols. The heap of stones in Genesis 31 is an example of such a symbol, serving as a public and enduring witness to the covenant. This practice reflects the broader cultural context in which physical markers were used to memorialize significant events or agreements.

Application for Believers:
The concept of Sahadutha as a "witness heap" can serve as a reminder for believers of the importance of keeping one's word and honoring commitments. Just as Jacob and Laban used a physical marker to signify their covenant, Christians are called to live with integrity and faithfulness in their relationships and agreements.

Related Concepts:
· Covenant: A solemn agreement between two parties, often involving promises and obligations.
· Witness: In biblical terms, a witness serves as a testimony to an event, agreement, or truth.
· Memorial Stones: Throughout the Bible, stones are used as memorials to commemorate significant events or divine interventions (e.g., Joshua 4:20-24).

Cross-References:
· Genesis 31:44-54: The broader context of the covenant between Jacob and Laban.
· Joshua 24:27: Another instance where a stone serves as a witness to a covenant.
· 1 Samuel 7:12: The setting up of a stone called Ebenezer, meaning "stone of help," as a memorial of God's assistance.

Sahadutha, as a term and concept, highlights the enduring nature of covenants and the role of physical symbols in biblical narratives. It serves as a testament to the seriousness with which agreements were made and remembered in the biblical world.3026. Yegar Sahadutha -- "heap (of stones) of the testimony, " a ...
Yegar Sahadutha. 3025, 3026. Yegar Sahadutha. 3027 . "heap (of stones) of
the testimony, " a memorial of Jacob and Laban. Transliteration ...
/hebrew/3026.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

Jegar-sahadutha (1 Occurrence)
Jegar-sahadutha. Jegarsahadutha, Jegar-sahadutha. Je'gar-sahadu'tha . Easton's
Bible Dictionary ... Multi-Version Concordance Jegar-sahadutha (1 Occurrence). ...
/j/jegar-sahadutha.htm - 7k

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

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

Jegarsahadutha (1 Occurrence)

/j/jegarsahadutha.htm - 7k

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

Ramathmizpeh (1 Occurrence)
... Jordan. This was the Mizpeh where Jacob and Laban made a covenant, "Mizpeh
of Gilead," called also Galeed and Jegar-sahadutha. It ...
/r/ramathmizpeh.htm - 7k

Ramath-mizpeh (1 Occurrence)
... Jordan. This was the Mizpeh where Jacob and Laban made a covenant, "Mizpeh
of Gilead," called also Galeed and Jegar-sahadutha. It ...
/r/ramath-mizpeh.htm - 7k

Said (42930 Occurrences)

/s/said.htm - 7k

Sages (4 Occurrences)

/s/sages.htm - 7k

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

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