Genesis 31:54

54 He killed an animal, which he offered as a sacrifice on the mountain, and he invited his men to the meal. After they had eaten, they spent the night on the mountain.

Genesis 31:54 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 31:54

Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount
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" F19, 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 ( 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 upon the covenant being made, and then tarried all night to take their rest.


FOOTNOTES:

F19 (hbz-xbzyw) "et mactavit mactationem", Drusius, Cartwright, Schmidt, Ainsworth.

Genesis 31:54 In-Context

52 Both this pile and this memorial stone are reminders. I will never go beyond this pile to attack you, and you must never go beyond it or beyond this memorial stone to attack me.
53 The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor will judge between us." Then, in the name of the God whom his father Isaac worshiped, Jacob solemnly vowed to keep this promise.
54 He killed an animal, which he offered as a sacrifice on the mountain, and he invited his men to the meal. After they had eaten, they spent the night on the mountain.
55 Early the next morning Laban kissed his grandchildren and his daughters good-bye, and left to go back home.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.