Laban could not deny the facts brought forward, and he now 194 proposed to enter into a covenant of peace. Jacob consented to the proposal, and a pile of stones was erected as a token of the compact. To this pillar Laban gave the name Mizpah, "watchtower," saying, "The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another."

Laban havde beholdt sine døtres medgift og havde altid behandlet Jakob med list og hårdhed; men med karakteristisk forstillelse bebrejdede han ham nu, at han var rejst i hemmelighed, så at faderen ikke havde fået lejlighed til at holde en afskedsfest eller endog sige farvel til sine døtre og deres børn.