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יְגַר (ye.gar)

ye.gar

Jegar; (Ramoth)-sahadutha

H3026 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 1 verses

N:N--L

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
1 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
N:N--L

Word Overview

The Aramaic term Jegar, appearing only in Genesis 31:47, translates to "heap of witness." It forms part of the compound name Jegar-sahadutha, which Laban uses to describe the stone pile erected as a boundary marker between himself and Jacob. This specific usage highlights how language shifts across cultural lines within the biblical narrative.

The word is essentially Aramaic for the Hebrew Galeed, meaning "heap of witness." By using this term, Laban ensures that both he and Jacob understand the monument’s purpose: to serve as a permanent testimony that no harm will pass between them. The name captures the solemn agreement made after years of tension, turning a simple pile of stones into a lasting symbol of peace.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

When Laban and Jacob finally agreed to stop the cycle of mistrust, they erected a pile of stones as a border marker. Laban named it Jegar Sahadutha, an Aramaic phrase meaning 'heap of witness.' Jacob used the Hebrew Galeed. Genesis 31:47 preserves both names, showing that a shared commitment can cross language and culture. The stones were not magical, but they gave both men something solid they could point to and remember: God had seen their oath and would hold them to it.

You may not build stone monuments, but your words and actions still mark boundaries of grace. A difficult conversation that ends with forgiveness, or a renewed commitment to honesty in a strained relationship, becomes a living witness. The same God who stood as unseen sentry over that ancient cairn honors the peace you reach with others. Today, his gaze is your security.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • Sahadutha1×
  • Jegar1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • שָׂהֲדוּתָ֑א1×
  • יְגַ֖ר1×

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Jegar Sahadutha mean?

It is Aramaic for 'heap of witness.' Jegar means heap or pile, and sahadutha means testimony or witness. Laban used this phrase for the stone boundary marker he and Jacob set up, as recorded in Genesis 31:47. The name emphasized that the heap served as a mute but permanent testimony to their peace agreement.

How is Jegar Sahadutha different from Galeed?

Both names carry the same meaning: heap of witness. However, Jegar Sahadutha comes from Aramaic, Laban's language, while Galeed is the Hebrew name Jacob spoke. Genesis 31:47 intentionally preserves both, highlighting the linguistic and cultural separation between the two men even as they made a shared covenant.

Why is this word significant for understanding Genesis 31?

It shows that a physical object can hold deep relational meaning across language barriers. The stone heap became a witness, reminding Laban and Jacob that God himself observed their oath. This one Aramaic term, embedded in a Hebrew narrative, illustrates how God can anchor peace even in relationships fractured by decades of suspicion.

Every Occurrence (1 verses across 1 books)

Genesis 1 verse
Genesis 31:47

Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed.