Genesis 31:50

If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.

Genesis 31:50 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to the covenant between Jacob and Laban at Mizpah. After Jacob fled with his family and flocks, Laban pursued him. God had warned Laban in a dream not to speak good or bad to Jacob (Genesis 31:24, 29). The two men then made a heap of stones as a boundary and witness to their agreement. Laban, who had previously deceived Jacob by changing his wages ten times (Genesis 31:7), now sought to bind Jacob with an oath.

Meaning

Laban names two conditions: Jacob must not afflict his daughters, and he must not take other wives besides them. To afflict includes physical harm, harsh words, or withholding necessities. Laban acknowledges that no human witness is present, but he calls on God as the ultimate witness between them. This is a solemn appeal to divine omniscience: God sees what no man sees and will hold Jacob accountable.

Biblical connections

This warning against additional wives is reinforced by Leviticus 18:18, which forbids taking a wife’s sister as a rival. The broader narrative shows that Jacob had been led into polygamy by Laban’s deception, yet God’s ideal from the beginning was one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24). The covenant at Mizpah, with its heap and pillar, was a physical memorial, but the true witness was God Himself.

Application

This passage teaches the importance of treating family members with respect and fairness. It calls believers to consider the welfare of spouses, children, and extended relatives, and to honor commitments made in relationships, recognizing that God observes and judges our actions. God’s presence should govern all human agreements, reminding us to live with integrity before Him.

Reflection

God is not distant but intimately aware of human actions. He will be the avenger of wrongdoing when there is no earthly judge. This truth should govern all human agreements and relationships, reminding us to live with integrity before Him.