About this Bible Study........The King James Version of the Bible is written in a beautiful form of the English language. It can be hard for modern English readers to understand.  In this study, you will find notes and summaries in brown just above the the verses from the Bible. We recommend that you read the notes and summaries first, and then read the verses in their KJV form. 

The book of Genesis was written by Moses. It is divided into three main parts.  1) God creates the universe and the first man and woman    2)God destroys the earth with a flood but saves Noah, his family, and the animals 3)God chooses Abraham and his descendants to be a great nation.

Bible Timeline
 
Here is a good timeline to see the book of Genesis in the history of the Bible
http://www.sundayschoolresources.com/timeline.htm
 

Genesis 28

Jacob leaves Canaan and travels to Haran

Isaac agreed to let Jacob leave Canaan and travel to Haran (in the same area as Padan-aram) to find a wife. Rebekah's family lived in Haran, and they wanted Jacob's wife to be from that area.  Isaac blessed Jacob and asked God to give him many children.  He also blessed him to inherit the land of Canaan which God promised to Abraham.
[1] And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan.
[2 ] Arise, go to Padan-aram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother.
[3] And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
[4 ] And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.
[5] And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padan-aram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother.
[6] When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padan-aram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;
[7] And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padan-aram;

Esau marries Ishmael's daughter

Esau knew that Isaac and Rebekah did not want Jacob to marry a Canaanite woman.   When Esau married another woman, he did not marry a Canaanite woman like his first two wives.  He went to Ishmael's family and married one of his daughters.  Her name was Mahalath.
[8] And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father;
[9 ] Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife.

Jacob dreams about a ladder
 

Jacob was traveling to Haran to find a wife.  It took many days so he had to sleep outside many nights.  He used rocks for pillows.
[10] And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran.
[11 ] And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.


One night, he had a special dream.  In this dream, there was a big ladder that went from the earth up to Heaven.  Angels were going up and down the ladder.
[12] And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.


Jacob saw God at the top of the ladder.  He talked to Jacob.  He told him the covenant promise that He made with Abraham, then Isaac, would be his.  God promised to give Jacob and his descendants the land of Canaan, many descendants, and many blessings.  He promised to take care of Jacob and bring him back to Canaan in the future.
[13 ] And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
[14] And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
[15] And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.


Jacob woke up the next morning.  He knew that the Lord God had been there with him.  He took the rock he used as a pillow and set it up as a pillar (statue).  He poured oil on it.  He named the place Bethel.  Bethel means "House of God".  Before this, that place was named Luz.
[16] And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
[17 ] And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
[18] And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
[19] And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.


Jacob made a promise to God.  If God would keep him safe and allow him to return to Canaan, Jacob promised to follow God and worship him.  He also promised to give 1/10 of all that he had to God.
[20 ] And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
[21] So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:
[22 ] And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

Genesis 29

Jacob meets Rachel
 

Painting by Rabbi Karro

Jacob arrived in Haran.  He came to a well that was covered with a big rock.  There were 3 flocks (groups) of sheep and their shepherds waiting there.  When all the sheep from many flocks arrived, someone would roll the stone off, the sheep would drink, and then someone would put the stone back on.
[1] Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
[2 ] And he looked, and behold a well in the field, and, lo, there were three flocks of sheep lying by it; for out of that well they watered the flocks: and a great stone was upon the well's mouth.
[3] And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place.

Jacob asked the shepherds if they knew Laban.  They said they did, and they told Jacob that Laban's daughter was coming to bring her sheep there.
[4] And Jacob said unto them, My brethren, whence be ye? And they said, Of Haran are we.
[5] And he said unto them, Know ye Laban the son of Nahor? And they said, We know him.
[6] And he said unto them, Is he well? And they said, He is well: and, behold, Rachel his daughter cometh with the sheep.

Jacob wanted the shepherds to hurry, water their sheep, and leave.  He wanted to be alone with Rachel.  But they said they had to wait until all of the flocks had arrived.
[7 ] And he said, Lo, it is yet high day, neither is it time that the cattle should be gathered together: water ye the sheep, and go and feed them.
[8 ] And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.
[9] And while he yet spake with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep: for she kept them.

Rachel arrived with her sheep.  Jacob rolled the stone off the well.  Jacob greeted Rachel and told her who he was.  She went home and told her father. 
[10 ] And it came to pass, when Jacob saw Rachel the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went near, and rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.
[11] And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
[12] And Jacob told Rachel that he was her father's brother, and that he was Rebekah's son: and she ran and told her father.


Laban ran to the well and greeted Jacob.  Jacab stayed at Laban's house.
[13 ] And it came to pass, when Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister's son, that he ran to meet him, and embraced him, and kissed him, and brought him to his house. And he told Laban all these things.
[14] And Laban said to him, Surely thou art my bone and my flesh. And he abode with him the space of a month.

Jacob gets married

Jacob stayed and worked for Laban.  Laban asked him how he could pay him.
[15 ] And Laban said unto Jacob, Because thou art my brother, shouldest thou therefore serve me for nought? tell me, what shall thy wages be?


Laban had 2 daughters, Leah and Rachel.  Rachel was very pretty, but Leah wasn't as pretty.  Jacob was in love with Rachel. He told Laban that if he worked for him for 7 years, he could marry Rachel.
[16] And Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel.
[17] Leah was tender eyed; but Rachel was beautiful and well favoured.
[18] And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter.

Laban agreed to the deal.  Jacob worked for 7 years.  The time seemed to go fast for Jacob because he loved Rachel.  When the 7 years were finished, Jacob told Laban that he was ready to marry Rachel.
[19] And Laban said, It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me.
[20] And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her.
[21] And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her.

Rachel and Leah Statues by Michelangelo, 1545 From the Web Gallery of Art

There was a big wedding and feast. The bride wore a veil over her face.  This was the custom at that time. Jacob thought he was marrying Rachel. But Laban tricked Jacob.  The next morning, Jacob saw that the bride was really Leah.  He was very mad and asked Laban why he had tricked him.
[22] And Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast.
[23] And it came to pass in the evening, that he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to him; and he went in unto her.
[24] And Laban gave unto his daughter Leah Zilpah his maid for an handmaid.
[25 ] And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?


Laban said that in their country, the oldest daughter must get married first.  Laban said that Jacob could marry Rachel after the week of the wedding ceremony was finished.  He also said that Jacob would need to stay and work another seven years. 
[26] And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.
[27] Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.

Rachel also become Jacob's wife.  Jacob loved Rachel, but he did not love Leah.
[28] And Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week: and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also.
[29] And Laban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handmaid to be her maid.
[30] And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years.

Jacob's children

God saw that Jacob did not love Leah. Leah had children, but Rachel could not.  Leah had 4 sons--Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah.
[31] And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.
[32 ] And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me.
[33] And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.
[34] And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi.
[35] And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.



Genesis 30

Rachel was jealous of Leah because Leah had children.  Because she could not have children herself, Rachel asked Jacob to have children with her maid, Bilhah.  Bilhah had two sons, Dan and Naphtali.
[1] And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die.
[2] And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel: and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?
[3] And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees that I may also have children by her.
[4] And she gave him Bilhah her handmaid to wife: and Jacob went in unto her.
[5] And Bilhah conceived, and bare Jacob a son.
[6] And Rachel said, God hath judged me, and hath also heard my voice, and hath given me a son: therefore called she his name Dan.
[7] And Bilhah Rachel's maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son.
[8] And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.



Leah wanted to have more children than Rachel.  She asked Jacob to have children with her maid, Zilpah. Zilpah had two sons, Gad and Asher.
[9] When Leah saw that she had left bearing, she took Zilpah her maid, and gave her Jacob to wife.
[10] And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a son.
[11] And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.
[12] And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son.
[13] And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.



Leah's oldest son, Reuben, was about 7 years old.  He found some mandrakes, a type of fruit.  Some people thought that eating mandrakes helped women become pregnant.  Rachel asked Leah if she could have some of the mandrakes. Leah said no because Rachel had taken away her husband.  Rachel made a deal with Leah.  She said that if she could have some of the mandrakes, Jacob would spend the night with Leah.
[14 ] And Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest, and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them unto his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, Give me, I pray thee, of thy son's mandrakes.
[15] And she said unto her, Is it a small matter that thou hast taken my husband? and wouldest thou take away my son's mandrakes also? And Rachel said, Therefore he shall lie with thee to night for thy son's mandrakes.
[16] And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.



Leah had two more sons.  Their names were Issachar and Zebulun.  Leah also had a daughter named Dina.
[17] And God hearkened unto Leah, and she conceived, and bare Jacob the fifth son.
[18] And Leah said, God hath given me my hire, because I have given my maiden to my husband: and she called his name Issachar.
[19] And Leah conceived again, and bare Jacob the sixth son.
[20 ] And Leah said, God hath endued me with a good dowry; now will my husband dwell with me, because I have born him six sons: and she called his name Zebulun.
[21] And afterwards she bare a daughter, and called her name Dinah.



Rachel had not been able to have children.  But God heard her prayers, and she had a son named Joseph.
[22] And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.
[23] And she conceived, and bare a son; and said, God hath taken away my reproach:
[24] And she called his name Joseph; and said, The LORD shall add to me another son.

Jacob makes a deal with his father-in-law, Laban


Jacob wanted to return to Canaan.  Laban wanted him to stay.  Laban knew that the Lord was blessing Jacob and that when Jacob was there, Laban would also have more wealth.
[25 ] And it came to pass, when Rachel had born Joseph, that Jacob said unto Laban, Send me away, that I may go unto mine own place, and to my country.
[26 ] Give me my wives and my children, for whom I have served thee, and let me go: for thou knowest my service which I have done thee.
[27] And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favour in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.
[28] And he said, Appoint me thy wages, and I will give it.
[29] And he said unto him, Thou knowest how I have served thee, and how thy cattle was with me.
[30 ] For it was little which thou hadst before I came, and it is now increased unto a multitude; and the LORD hath blessed thee since my coming: and now when shall I provide for mine own house also?
 

Jacob said he would stay longer, but he wanted to be paid.  He did not want to be paid with money.  He wanted livestock--sheep, goats, and cows.  He made a deal with Laban. He would take all of the animals that were not solid colors--the ones with spots and stripes.  He would also get any brown sheep that were born.  Laban already had some spotted animals, but Jacob would not get these.  The deal was for Jacob to get the animals that would be born in the future. 
[31] And he said, What shall I give thee? And Jacob said, Thou shalt not give me any thing: if thou wilt do this thing for me, I will again feed and keep thy flock:
[32 ] I will pass through all thy flock to day, removing from thence all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats: and of such shall be my hire.
[33 ] So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.
[34] And Laban said, Behold, I would it might be according to thy word.

Laban left and took all of his spotted and striped adult animals.  He left the solid colored adult animals with Jacob.  Now, Jacob would take care of the solid colored adult animals, but the spotted and striped babies and the brown lambs that would be born would belong to him.
[35 ] And he removed that day the he goats that were ringstraked and spotted, and all the she goats that were speckled and spotted, and every one that had some white in it, and all the brown among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons.
[36] And he set three days' journey betwixt himself and Jacob: and Jacob fed the rest of Laban's flocks.

Jacob took tree branches and peeled the bark (covering) off.  He put the branches in the water that the animals drank from.  When the animals had babies, the babies had spots. He put all of the baby animals with spots and stripes in a separate place.  Later, after they grew, they had babies with spots and stripes.  After 6 years, Jacob had many sheep, goats, and lambs in his flocks.
[37 ] And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.
[38] And he set the rods which he had pilled before the flocks in the gutters in the watering troughs when the flocks came to drink, that they should conceive when they came to drink.
[39] And the flocks conceived before the rods, and brought forth cattle ringstraked, speckled, and spotted.
[40 ] And Jacob did separate the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the ringstraked, and all the brown in the flock of Laban; and he put his own flocks by themselves, and put them not unto Laban's cattle.
[41 ] And it came to pass, whensoever the stronger cattle did conceive, that Jacob laid the rods before the eyes of the cattle in the gutters, that they might conceive among the rods.
[42] But when the cattle were feeble, he put them not in: so the feebler were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.
[43] And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maidservants, and menservants, and camels, and asses.

Genesis 31

Jacob runs away from Laban

Laban and his sons were jealous of Jacob's flocks of animals.  The Lord spoke to Jacob and told him it was time to go home to Canaan.
[1 ] And he heard the words of Laban's sons, saying, Jacob hath taken away all that was our father's; and of that which was our father's hath he gotten all this glory.
[2] And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as before.
[3] And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.



Jacob talked to Rachel and Leah and told them that their father was jealous.  He reviewed the past 20 years.  Laban had lied to Jacob and had not treated him well.  But God was always with Jacob, and he had been successful.
[4] And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field unto his flock,
[5 ] And said unto them, I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as before; but the God of my father hath been with me.
[6] And ye know that with all my power I have served your father.
[7] And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me.
[8 ] If he said thus, The speckled shall be thy wages; then all the cattle bare speckled: and if he said thus, The ringstraked shall be thy hire; then bare all the cattle ringstraked.
[9] Thus God hath taken away the cattle of your father, and given them to me.

Jacob described a dream he had. In his dream, the spotted animals were stronger than the solid colored animals. God spoke to Jacob and told him to go home to Canaan.
[10 ] And it came to pass at the time that the cattle conceived, that I lifted up mine eyes, and saw in a dream, and, behold, the rams which leaped upon the cattle were ringstraked, speckled, and grisled.
[11] And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.
[12 ] And he said, Lift up now thine eyes, and see, all the rams which leap upon the cattle are ringstraked, speckled, and grisled: for I have seen all that Laban doeth unto thee.
[13] I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

Rachel and Leah thought about their father's wealth.  They wondered if they would inherit anything after their father died.  They felt that Laban had already lost their part of the inheritance.  They decided that God had given Jacob great wealth and that made up for what their father would not give them.  They agreed to leave with Jacob.
[14] And Rachel and Leah answered and said unto him, Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father's house?
[15] Are we not counted of him strangers? for he hath sold us, and hath quite devoured also our money.
[16 ] For all the riches which God hath taken from our father, that is ours, and our children's: now then, whatsoever God hath said unto thee, do.



Jacob took all of his family and the animals he owned and left.  He did not tell Laban they were leaving.
[17] Then Jacob rose up, and set his sons and his wives upon camels;
[18 ] And he carried away all his cattle, and all his goods which he had gotten, the cattle of his getting, which he had gotten in Padan-aram, for to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan.

Before they left, Rachel sneaked into Laban's house and stole his household idols.  These were little statues that some people worshipped.  But people who believed in God did not worship idols. Rachel did not tell anyone that she took the idols.
[19] And Laban went to shear his sheep: and Rachel had stolen the images that were her father's.
[20] And Jacob stole away unawares to Laban the Syrian, in that he told him not that he fled.
[21] So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.

Laban chases and finds Jacob


When Laban heard that Jacob had left, he chased him.  When Laban was close to Jacob, he had a dream, and God spoke to Laban in his dream.  He told Laban not to hurt Jacob.
[22] And it was told Laban on the third day that Jacob was fled.
[23] And he took his brethren with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey; and they overtook him in the mount Gilead.
[24 ] And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.


Laban found Jacob and the others. Laban accused Jacob of stealing from him.  He accused him of forcing Leah and Rachel to go with him.
[25] Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.
[26] And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword?
[27 ] Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
[28] And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing.
[29 ] It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

Laban accused Jacob of stealing his household idols.  Jacob didn't know that Rachel had stolen the idols.  He told Laban to search for them and that if anyone had the idols, that person would be killed.
[30] And now, though thou wouldest needs be gone, because thou sore longedst after thy father's house, yet wherefore hast thou stolen my gods?
[31] And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.
[32] With whomsoever thou findest thy gods, let him not live: before our brethren discern thou what is thine with me, and take it to thee. For Jacob knew not that Rachel had stolen them.

Laban searched for the idols.  He came to Rachel's tent. She hid the idols in a saddle and sat on the saddle.  Laban did not find the idols.
[33 ] And Laban went into Jacob's tent, and into Leah's tent, and into the two maidservants' tents; but he found them not. Then went he out of Leah's tent, and entered into Rachel's tent.
[34] Now Rachel had taken the images, and put them in the camel's furniture, and sat upon them. And Laban searched all the tent, but found them not.
[35] And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.


Jacob became angry at Laban.  He wanted to know exactly why Laban was chasing him.  Then he accused Laban of treating him unfairly for the past 20 years.  He said that if God hadn't been watching out for him, Laban would have left him with nothing.
[36 ] And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast so hotly pursued after me?
[37] Whereas thou hast searched all my stuff, what hast thou found of all thy household stuff? set it here before my brethren and thy brethren, that they may judge betwixt us both.
[38] This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.
[39] That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee; I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require it, whether stolen by day, or stolen by night.
[40] Thus I was; in the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night; and my sleep departed from mine eyes.
[41 ] Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen years for thy two daughters, and six years for thy cattle: and thou hast changed my wages ten times.
[42] Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.


Laban wanted to make a deal with Jacob.  They gathered rocks and made piles.  
[43] And Laban answered and said unto Jacob, These daughters are my daughters, and these children are my children, and these cattle are my cattle, and all that thou seest is mine: and what can I do this day unto these my daughters, or unto their children which they have born?
[44] Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.
[45] And Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar.
[46] And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.


Each man named the place something different. 
[47] And Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha: but Jacob called it Galeed.
[48] And Laban said, This heap is a witness between me and thee this day. Therefore was the name of it called Galeed;


Then they promised that neither of them would cross over the rocks to hurt the other one. The new name of the piles and pillars of rock where they made their covenant was Mizpah.  Jacob made a sacrifice there (gave something valuable to God to show he was grateful).
[49] And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
[50 ] If thou shalt afflict my daughters, or if thou shalt take other wives beside my daughters, no man is with us; see, God is witness betwixt me and thee.
[51] And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;
[52 ] This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.
[53] The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the fear of his father Isaac.
[54] Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.


The next morning, Jacob and his group continued their journey to Canaan.  Laban and his group went back to their home.
[55] And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.