Genesis 31:43-55

The Covenant Between Jacob and Laban

Though Jacob accused Laban of intending to do him harm if God had not warned him, Laban claimed he would not hurt his own family. Perhaps to save embarrassment before the male members of his family who he had assembled to pursue a thief, Laban, despite all previous contracts, claimed his daughters, their children and the flocks were his. However, he said he could do no harm to his own flesh and blood.

Instead, he asked Jacob to make a peace covenant with him. Jacob had his brethren gather stones and put them in a pile. Laban, in Aramaic, and Jacob, in Hebrew, named the place "heap of witness." Jacob's prayer was, "May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another." He and Laban promised not to pass the heap on the way to do one another harm. Then, Jacob made a sacrifice and shared a meal with Laban and the rest of his kinsmen. The next morning, Laban kissed his family goodbye and returned to his home (Genesis 31:43-55).