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Key Points

Research suggests that “the God of their father” in Genesis 31:53, present in the Masoretic text but absent in the Septuagint, is significant for understanding the shared ancestral faith between Jacob and Laban.
It seems likely that this phrase, referring to Terah, emphasizes their common heritage and strengthens the covenant’s divine witness.
The evidence leans toward retaining the Masoretic text, as conservative evangelical scholars prioritize it, though the omission in the Septuagint adds complexity to textual analysis.

Context and Significance

Genesis 31:53 is part of the account where Jacob and Laban make a covenant, with Laban invoking “the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father” to judge between them. This phrase highlights their shared belief in the same God, rooted in their ancestor Terah, which adds weight to their agreement.

Textual Variant

The Masoretic text includes “the God of their father,” while the Septuagint omits it. Given the scholars’ preference for the Masoretic text, it is likely original, emphasizing the covenant’s connection to their ancestral faith.

Unexpected Detail

An unexpected detail is that “their father” likely refers to Terah, despite Joshua 24:2 suggesting he was an idolater, indicating a complex theological interpretation of their shared heritage.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Genesis 31:53 and Its Textual Variants

This survey note provides an exhaustive examination of Genesis 31:53, focusing on the phrase “the God of their father” and its significance within the context of the Masoretic text and other textual traditions, reflecting the conservative evangelical approach of scholars like Edward D. Andrews, Bruce K. Waltke, Ellis R. Brotzman, Erik J. Tully, Peter W. Flint, and Martin G. Abegg Jr. These scholars prioritize the Masoretic text as the foundational authority, only consulting sources like the Septuagint, Dead Sea Scrolls, Syriac, Aramaic Targums, and Vulgate when textual evidence demands it with a heavy burden of proof.

Introduction to the Account

Genesis 31:53, dated to approximately 1876 B.C.E. based on literal Bible chronology, is part of the narrative where Jacob and Laban, after years of tension, establish a covenant. Laban states, “The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac (Updated American Standard Version, UASV). This verse is crucial for understanding the theological and familial ties that underpin their agreement, emphasizing divine oversight.

Textual Analysis

Comparison of Masoretic Text and Septuagint

The Masoretic text, considered the authoritative Hebrew text by conservative scholars, includes the phrase “the God of their father.” In Hebrew, it reads: “אֱלֹהֵי אברהם ואלֹהֵי נחור אֱלֹהֵי אביהם” Translated as: “The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father.”

In contrast, the Septuagint (LXX) omits this phrase, reading: “ὁ θεὸς Ἀβρὰμ καὶ ὁ θεὸς Ναχωρ κρινεῖ μετὰξὺ ημων” Translated as: “The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor will judge between us.”

This omission in the LXX is noted, but given the scholars’ prioritization, the Masoretic text is preferred unless compelling evidence suggests otherwise. No Dead Sea Scrolls fragments containing Genesis 31:53 were found to provide additional insight, reinforcing reliance on the Masoretic text.

Interpretation of “their father”

The phrase “their father” likely refers to Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, as per the genealogy in Genesis. This interpretation is supported by the context, where Laban and Jacob, descendants of Terah through different lines, invoke a shared ancestral deity. However, Joshua 24:2 notes, “Your fathers lived beyond the Euphrates River long ago, including Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor, and they served other gods,” suggesting a complex theological understanding. Despite this, the phrase in Genesis 31:53 likely reflects the patriarchs’ monotheistic faith, emphasizing continuity with their ancestral worship of Jehovah.

Theological Implications

Shared Faith and Covenantal Witness

The inclusion of “the God of their father” in the Masoretic text underscores a shared monotheistic tradition, crucial for the covenant’s validity. It suggests that both Jacob and Laban recognize the same God, adding divine weight to their agreement. This is evident in the parallelism with Jacob’s oath, “So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac,” indicating a mutual acknowledgment of Jehovah’s authority.

Role in Covenant Making

The invocation of “the God of their father” serves as a divine witness, ensuring the covenant’s sanctity. This is consistent with ancient Near Eastern practices where deities were called upon to oversee agreements, as seen in Genesis 24:2, where Abraham’s servant swears by placing his hand under Abraham’s thigh, invoking Jehovah. The phrase thus roots the covenant in their familial and religious heritage, enhancing its durability.

Jacob’s Oath and Parallelism

“The Fear of his father Isaac”

Jacob’s oath, “So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac,” uses “Fear” as a title for God, likely meaning the God whom Isaac revered. This is supported by the context, where “fear” in Hebrew (“פחד”) can denote reverence, as seen in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom.” This parallelism with Laban’s invocation reinforces their shared faith, binding the covenant under Jehovah’s oversight.

Emphasis on Mutual Recognition

The structure of both invocations highlights mutual recognition of Jehovah’s role, emphasizing that their agreement is not merely human but divinely sanctioned. This is crucial for understanding the covenant’s theological depth, ensuring both parties are accountable to their ancestral God.

Conclusion

The phrase “the God of their father” in Genesis 31:53, as preserved in the Masoretic text, is significant for understanding the covenant between Jacob and Laban. It emphasizes their shared ancestral faith, rooted in Terah, and strengthens the covenant by invoking Jehovah as a divine witness. The omission in the Septuagint is noted, but the Masoretic text’s inclusion is preferred, reflecting the conservative evangelical approach to textual criticism. This phrase enhances our understanding of the patriarchs’ faith, ensuring the covenant’s sanctity and permanence.

Table: Textual Variants Comparison

Source	Text	Inclusion of “the God of their father”
Masoretic Text	“The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father”	Yes
Septuagint (LXX)	“The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor will judge between us”	No
Dead Sea Scrolls	No fragments found for Genesis 31:53	N/A

This table summarizes the textual variants, highlighting the Masoretic text’s inclusion, which aligns with the scholars’ prioritization.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).