Genesis 31:44

Let - To hinder or obstruct.

31:44 Let us make a covenant — It was made and ratified with great solemnity, according to the usages of those times. 1. A pillar was erected, and a heap of stones raised, to perpetuate the memory of the thing, writing being then not known. 2. A sacrifice was offered, a sacrifice of peace-offerings. 3. They did eat bread together, jointly partaking of the feast upon the sacrifice. This was in token of a hearty reconciliation. Covenants of friendship were anciently ratified by the parties eating and drinking together. 4. They solemnity appealed to God concerning their sincerity herein; (1.) As a witness, Genesis 31:49.

The Lord watch between me and thee — That is, the Lord take cognizance of every thing that shall be done on either side in violation of this league. (2.) As a judge, The God of Abraham, from whom Jacob was descended, and The God of Nahor, from whom Laban was descended, the God of their father, the common ancestor from whom they were both descended, judge betwixt us. God's relation to them is thus expressed, to intimate that they worshipped one and the same God, upon which consideration there ought to be no enmity betwixt them. Those that have one God should have one heart: God is judge between contending parties, and he will judge righteously, whoever doth wrong it is at their peril. 5. They gave a new name to the place, Genesis 31:47,48. Laban called it in Syriac, and Jacob in Hebrew, The heap of witness. And Genesis 31:49, it was called Mizpah, a watch-tower. Posterity being included in the league, care was taken that thus the memory of it should be preserved. The name Jacob gave this heap stuck by it, Galeed, not the name Laban gave it.