What Does Genesis 31:47 Mean in the King James?

And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.

Genesis 31:47 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Aramaic ⁨יְגַר שָׂהֲדוּתָא⁩ (yegar sahadutha, “heap of testimony”) and Hebrew ⁨גַּלְעֵד⁩ (galʿēd, “heap of witness”) name the same marker in two languages.

THE MEANING

Two voices name one heap in different languages, and each names it as a witness. What differs is the word; the testimony marked by the place is shared.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

Different names do not necessarily mean different things.

THE ROOT

עֵד

ʿēd

GROWS FROM

עוּד

ʿ-w-d

To testify, bear witness, or attest.

In the Hebrew name, ⁨עֵד⁩ (ʿēd, “witness”) belongs to the word family of ⁨עוּד⁩ (ʿûd, “testify, bear witness”): the place is named for its work as testimony. The Aramaic ⁨שָׂהֲדוּתָא⁩ (sāhădûtā, “testimony”) carries the same idea, so both names make one claim in different tongues.

ALSO GROWS

ʿēdût: Testimony or witness.

עֵדוּת

The heap’s name becomes a testimony that can stand between the two parties.

hēʿîd: To testify or bear witness.

הֵעִיד

This verb names the act the heap performs in the verse: it stands as witness.

THE PATTERN

A witness gives a claim public form that can be seen and remembered.

And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;

Genesis 31:48 · KJVThe next verse makes explicit that the heap’s name describes its role as a witness between them.

And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.

Joshua 24:27 · KJVA stone gives the people a lasting, visible witness to the words spoken among them.

Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

Acts 14:17 · KJVHere, rain and fruitful seasons serve as visible evidence of a witness.

THE THREAD

And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;

Genesis 31:48 · KJV

The Hebrew ⁨עֵד⁩ (ʿēd, “witness”) is stated directly: the heap’s name is unpacked as what it is, a witness between them. That line makes clear that the two different names in this verse preserve the same testimony.

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