Genesis 31:54

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 31:54 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Jacob offered a sacrifice in the mountain, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mountain.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Jacob offered a sacrifice in the mountain, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mountain.
Genesis 31:54 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
54And Jacob offered a sacrifice in the mountain, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mountain.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, etc.] On Mount Gilead, not in a religious way, in which he could not join with Laban, or admit him to it; but in a civil way he “slew a slaughter” f1528, or rather made one; that is, as Jarchi explains it, he slew cattle for a feast, as it was usual to make feasts for the several parties concerned in covenant, (see <012630> Genesis 26:30): and called his brethren, to eat bread; the, men that came with Laban, and him also, these he invited to his feast, for all sorts of food is called bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount; this affair between Laban and Jacob had took up the whole day, at evening they feasted together…”
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Sources and verification