Augustine of Hippo : HEAP OF STONES RAISED BY LABAN AND JACOB. — Those who know the Syriac and Hebrew language say that it is due to the properties of each one of them that Laban and Jacob called differently the pile of stones which they had erected among them, for Laban called it Acervum testimonii “Heap of Testimony” and Jacob Acervum testem “ Witness Heap”. It happens sometimes, indeed, that a language does not express with a single word what another language can express, and so one word receives its name because it has a close meaning. In fact, afterwards it is said: It is for this reason that this place has been called "the heap testifies" ( Acervus testatur ). This expression is half-way, so that it can satisfy one and another: one of which says “Heap of Testimony” ( Acervus testimonii ) other which says “Witness Heap.” ( Acervus testis ) [ — QUESTIONS ON GENESIS, Q. 96 (tr. J. Litteral, draft)