Genesis 31:44 - John Trapp Complete Commentary

Bible Comments

Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.

Ver. 44. Now therefore come thou, &c.] "A fool is full of words," saith Solomon. Which odious custom of his is expressed, μιμητικως, in his vain tautologies: "A man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell?". Ecc 10:14 Laban likewise talks a great deal here; and is up with the more, and down with the less, as they say. A covenant he will have, a pillar he will have, and a heap he will have; and that heap shall be a witness, and that pillar a witness, and God a witness, and a Judge too, &c., - there is no end of his discourse; as if, Domnio-like, he cared not so much what, as how much, he spake. a The basest things are ever most plentiful. History and experience tell us, that some kind of mouse breedeth an hundred and twenty young ones in one nest whereas the lion and elephant bears but one at once. So the least worth yields the most words.

a Qui non quid, sed quantum dicat, ponderare consuevit. - Hieron. in Apol. ad Domnion.

Genesis 31:44

44 Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.