Bible Commentaries
Genesis 28

Introduction

Overview

Genesis 28:1, Isaac blesses Jacob, and sends him to Padan-aram; Genesis 28:6, Esau marries Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael; Genesis 28:10, Jacob journeys, and has a vision of a ladder; Genesis 28:18, The stone of Beth-el; Genesis 28:20, Jacob’s vow.

Verse 1

blessed: Genesis 28:3, Genesis 28:4, Genesis 27:4, Genesis 27:27-33, Genesis 48:15, Genesis 49:28, Deuteronomy 33:1, Joshua 22:7

Thou shalt: Genesis 6:2, Genesis 24:3, Genesis 24:37, Genesis 26:34, Genesis 26:35, Genesis 27:46, Genesis 34:9, Genesis 34:16, Exodus 34:15, Exodus 34:16, 2 Corinthians 6:14-16

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:21 - a wife Genesis 25:1 - General Genesis 28:6 - Thou Genesis 28:8 - the daughters Genesis 31:55 - blessed Genesis 46:10 - Canaanitish Proverbs 19:14 - and a Jeremiah 29:6 - take wives Hosea 12:12 - Jacob Hebrews 7:7 - the less

Verse 2

Arise: Hosea 12:12

Padanaram: Genesis 28:5, Genesis 22:20-23, Genesis 24:10, Genesis 24:15-24, Genesis 25:20, Genesis 29:1, Genesis 31:18, Genesis 32:10, Genesis 35:9, Genesis 46:15

Laban: Genesis 24:29, Genesis 24:50

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:21 - a wife Genesis 22:23 - Bethuel Genesis 24:3 - that Genesis 24:4 - to my kindred Genesis 26:35 - Which Genesis 35:26 - in Padanaram Numbers 23:7 - Aram Malachi 2:15 - That he Hebrews 11:20 - General

Verse 3

God: Genesis 17:1-6, Genesis 22:17, Genesis 22:18, Genesis 35:11, Genesis 43:14, Genesis 48:3, Exodus 6:3, Psalms 127:1, 2 Corinthians 6:18, Revelation 21:22

and make: Genesis 1:28, Genesis 9:1, Genesis 13:16, Genesis 24:60, Genesis 41:52, Psalms 127:3-5, Psalms 128:1-6

a multitude: Heb. an assembly

Reciprocal: Genesis 10:15 - Heth Genesis 12:2 - General Genesis 26:22 - be fruitful Genesis 27:4 - that my Genesis 27:33 - yea Genesis 28:1 - blessed Genesis 32:29 - blessed Genesis 35:12 - the land Genesis 48:4 - Behold I Genesis 48:9 - bless them Genesis 48:15 - blessed Genesis 48:20 - Israel bless Genesis 49:26 - have prevailed Exodus 1:7 - fruitful Leviticus 26:9 - make you Numbers 6:23 - General 2 Samuel 19:39 - blessed Malachi 1:2 - yet I Romans 4:17 - I have Hebrews 11:20 - General Revelation 1:8 - the Almighty

Verse 4

the blessing: Genesis 12:1-3, Genesis 12:7, Genesis 15:5-7, Genesis 17:6-8, Genesis 22:17, Genesis 22:18, Psalms 72:17, Romans 4:7, Romans 4:8, Galatians 3:8, Galatians 3:14, Ephesians 1:3

wherein thou art a stranger: Heb. of thy sojournings, Genesis 17:8

which: Genesis 12:7, Genesis 13:14-17, Genesis 15:18-21, Psalms 39:12, Psalms 105:6-12, Hebrews 11:9-13

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:2 - thou shalt Genesis 13:15 - General Genesis 27:33 - yea Genesis 28:1 - blessed Genesis 28:13 - the land Genesis 31:3 - land Genesis 32:29 - blessed Genesis 35:11 - a nation Genesis 35:12 - the land Genesis 36:6 - went Genesis 36:7 - the land Genesis 37:1 - wherein his father was a stranger Genesis 48:9 - bless them Genesis 49:26 - have prevailed Exodus 1:7 - fruitful Exodus 6:4 - established Numbers 6:23 - General Joshua 21:43 - General Malachi 1:2 - yet I

Verse 5

sent away Jacob: Whoever observes Jacob's life, after he had surreptitiously obtained his father's blessing, will perceive that he enjoyed very little worldly felicity. His brother purposed to murder him, to avoid which he was forced to flee from his father's house; his uncle Laban deceived him, as he had deceived his father, and treated him with great rigour; after a servitude of 21 years, he was obliged to leave him in a clandestine manner, not without danger of being brought back, or murdered by his enraged brother; no sooner were these fears over, than he experienced the baseness of his son Reuben, in defiling his bed; he had next to bewail the treachery and cruelty of Simeon and Levi toward the Shechemites; then he had to feel the loss of his beloved wife; he was next imposed upon by his own sons, and had to lament the supposed untimely end of Joseph; and to complete all, he was forced by famine to go into Egypt, and there died, in a strange land. So just, wonderful, and instructive are all the ways of Providence!

Padanaram: Genesis 28:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 22:23 - Bethuel Genesis 24:54 - Send me Genesis 25:20 - the Syrian Genesis 29:1 - came Genesis 31:24 - the Syrian Genesis 35:27 - Jacob Deuteronomy 26:5 - A Syrian Ezekiel 27:16 - Syria

Verse 6

Esau: Genesis 27:33

Thou: Genesis 28:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 24:54 - Send me Genesis 25:20 - the Syrian Genesis 33:18 - a city of Shechem Genesis 34:1 - the daughter Exodus 2:15 - fled Numbers 12:1 - married

Verse 7

Genesis 27:43, Exodus 20:12, Leviticus 19:3, Proverbs 1:8, Proverbs 30:17, Ephesians 6:1, Ephesians 6:3, Colossians 3:20

Reciprocal: Genesis 33:18 - a city of Shechem Exodus 2:15 - fled Numbers 23:7 - Aram

Verse 8

the daughters: Genesis 28:1, Genesis 24:3, Genesis 26:34, Genesis 26:35

pleased not: Heb. were evil in the eyes, 1 Samuel 8:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:46 - because Genesis 48:17 - displeased him Exodus 21:8 - please not Deuteronomy 25:6 - the firstborn Joshua 22:30 - it pleased them

Verse 9

unto Ishmael: Genesis 25:13-17, Genesis 36:3, Genesis 36:13, Genesis 36:18

Mahalath: called also, Bashemath, Genesis 36:3, the sister.

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:3 - his Genesis 16:15 - Ishmael 1 Chronicles 1:29 - Nebaioth

Verse 10

Genesis 11:31, Genesis 32:10, Hosea 12:12, Acts 7:2, Acts 25:13

Reciprocal: Genesis 25:27 - a plain man Genesis 27:43 - Haran Genesis 29:4 - Of Haran Genesis 35:1 - Bethel Genesis 46:1 - Beersheba Psalms 139:3 - my path Isaiah 37:12 - Haran

Verse 11

took: Genesis 28:18, Genesis 31:46, Matthew 8:20, 2 Corinthians 1:5

put them: This should be "put it;" for we find - Genesis 28:18 it was only one stone.

Reciprocal: Genesis 25:27 - a plain man Genesis 32:10 - my staff 1 Kings 19:5 - as he lay Hosea 12:4 - found

Verse 12

he dreamed: Genesis 15:1, Genesis 15:12, Genesis 20:3, Genesis 20:6, Genesis 20:7, Genesis 37:5-11, Genesis 40:1 - Genesis 41:57, Numbers 12:6, Job 4:12-21, Job 33:15, Job 33:16, Daniel 2:1-49, Daniel 4:1-37, Daniel 7:1, Matthew 1:20, Matthew 2:12, Matthew 2:13, Matthew 2:19, Hebrews 1:1

ladder: Genesis 32:1, Genesis 32:2, 2 Chronicles 16:9, Isaiah 41:10, John 1:51, 2 Timothy 4:16, 2 Timothy 4:17, Hebrews 1:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:10 - a dream Genesis 31:13 - the God Genesis 35:3 - who answered Genesis 37:19 - dreamer Genesis 48:3 - appeared Exodus 2:24 - remembered Exodus 25:20 - toward Exodus 37:9 - cherubims spread 1 Samuel 28:6 - by dreams 1 Kings 3:5 - in a dream Job 4:13 - thoughts Daniel 4:22 - thy greatness Luke 2:13 - a multitude

Verse 13

the Lord stood: Genesis 35:1, Genesis 35:6, Genesis 35:7, Genesis 48:3

I am: Genesis 15:1, Genesis 17:6, Genesis 17:7, Genesis 26:24, Genesis 31:42, Genesis 32:9, Genesis 46:3, Exodus 3:6, Exodus 3:15, Exodus 3:16, Matthew 22:32, Hebrews 11:16

the land: Genesis 28:4, Genesis 12:7, Genesis 13:15, Genesis 35:12, Genesis 35:15, Genesis 35:17, Psalms 105:11, Ezekiel 37:24, Ezekiel 37:25, Acts 7:5

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:18 - Unto thy Genesis 24:12 - O Lord Genesis 30:25 - and to Genesis 31:3 - land Genesis 31:29 - the God Genesis 32:12 - I will Genesis 32:29 - blessed Genesis 34:30 - and I shall Genesis 35:3 - who answered Genesis 35:9 - General Genesis 46:1 - unto Genesis 48:4 - Behold I Genesis 49:25 - the God Genesis 50:24 - sware Exodus 6:8 - to give Exodus 32:13 - I will multiply Exodus 33:1 - the land Deuteronomy 1:8 - which Deuteronomy 6:10 - land Deuteronomy 9:5 - that he may Deuteronomy 29:13 - he may be Deuteronomy 34:4 - This is the land Joshua 21:43 - General 1 Kings 3:5 - in a dream 1 Chronicles 16:13 - ye seed 1 Chronicles 16:16 - which he made 1 Chronicles 16:18 - Unto thee 1 Chronicles 28:9 - the God Psalms 105:9 - General Isaiah 44:8 - have declared Jeremiah 32:22 - which Ezekiel 28:25 - to my Ezekiel 47:14 - lifted up mine hand Micah 7:20 - General Habakkuk 3:9 - according Zechariah 3:6 - the Malachi 1:2 - yet I Matthew 1:1 - the son of Abraham Mark 12:26 - I am Luke 20:37 - when Acts 7:32 - Then Galatians 3:16 - to Hebrews 11:9 - the heirs

Verse 14

thy seed: Genesis 13:16, Genesis 32:12, Genesis 35:11, Genesis 35:12, Numbers 23:10, Acts 3:25, Revelation 7:4, Revelation 7:9

spread abroad: Heb. break forth

to the west: Genesis 13:14, Deuteronomy 12:20, Matthew 8:11

and in thee: Genesis 12:3, Genesis 18:18, Genesis 22:18, Genesis 26:4, Psalms 72:17, Acts 3:25, Galatians 3:8, Galatians 3:16, Ephesians 1:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:2 - General Genesis 15:5 - So Genesis 15:18 - Unto thy Genesis 22:17 - in blessing Genesis 32:29 - blessed Genesis 34:30 - and I shall Genesis 46:3 - I will Genesis 47:27 - grew Exodus 1:7 - fruitful Exodus 32:13 - I will multiply Leviticus 26:9 - make you Numbers 1:46 - General Deuteronomy 1:8 - which Deuteronomy 1:10 - your God Deuteronomy 6:3 - that ye may Deuteronomy 13:17 - as he hath Deuteronomy 19:8 - General Joshua 21:43 - General 1 Chronicles 16:13 - ye seed 1 Chronicles 16:16 - which he made 1 Chronicles 16:18 - Unto thee Jeremiah 33:22 - the host Ezekiel 28:25 - to my Micah 7:20 - General Habakkuk 3:9 - according Zechariah 14:17 - all Malachi 1:2 - yet I Matthew 1:1 - the son of Abraham Luke 1:55 - General Luke 1:72 - perform Luke 13:29 - General John 5:46 - for Romans 4:13 - For the Romans 11:28 - are beloved Hebrews 11:9 - the heirs

Verse 15

I am: Genesis 28:20, Genesis 28:21, Genesis 26:24, Genesis 31:3, Genesis 32:9, Genesis 39:2, Genesis 39:21, Genesis 46:4, Exodus 3:12, Judges 6:16, Psalms 46:7, Psalms 46:11, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 8:10, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 43:2, Jeremiah 1:19, Matthew 18:20, Matthew 28:20, Romans 8:31, Romans 8:32, 1 Timothy 4:8

keep: Genesis 48:16, Psalms 121:5-8

bring: Genesis 35:6, Genesis 35:7

for I: Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:5, 1 Kings 8:57, John 10:28, John 10:29, Hebrews 13:5, Hebrews 13:6, Jude 1:1

until: Numbers 23:19, Joshua 23:14-16, Matthew 24:35

Reciprocal: Genesis 21:20 - God Genesis 21:22 - God Genesis 26:3 - I will be Genesis 30:25 - and to Genesis 30:43 - General Genesis 32:10 - truth Genesis 48:21 - God Joshua 1:9 - be not 1 Chronicles 17:8 - I have been Isaiah 41:17 - I the God

Verse 16

and I: Exodus 3:5, Exodus 15:11, Joshua 5:15, 1 Samuel 3:4-7, Job 9:11, Job 33:14, Psalms 68:35, Isaiah 8:13

Reciprocal: Leviticus 19:30 - reverence Judges 13:6 - terrible Ecclesiastes 5:1 - thy foot Hosea 12:5 - Even 2 Peter 1:18 - the holy

Verse 17

he was: Exodus 3:6, Judges 13:22, Matthew 17:6, Luke 2:9, Luke 8:35, Revelation 1:17

the house: Genesis 28:22, Genesis 35:1-13, 2 Chronicles 5:14, Ecclesiastes 5:1, 1 Timothy 3:15, Hebrews 10:21, 1 Peter 4:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 16:13 - called Exodus 3:5 - put off Leviticus 19:30 - reverence Judges 13:6 - terrible 1 Chronicles 22:1 - This is the house 1 Corinthians 3:17 - destroy 2 Peter 1:18 - the holy

Verse 18

rose up: Genesis 22:3, Psalms 119:60, Ecclesiastes 9:10

and took: The practice of setting up stones as a memorial by travellers still exists in Persia, and other parts of the East.

set it: Genesis 31:13, Genesis 31:45, Genesis 35:14, Genesis 35:20, Joshua 24:26, Joshua 24:27, 1 Samuel 7:12, 2 Samuel 18:18, Isaiah 19:19

poured: Leviticus 8:10-12, Numbers 7:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 28:11 - took Exodus 24:4 - twelve pillars Joshua 22:10 - built

Verse 19

the name: Genesis 12:8, Genesis 35:1, Genesis 48:3, Judges 1:22-26, 1 Kings 12:29, Hosea 4:15, Hosea 12:4, Hosea 12:5

Bethel: i.e. the house of God

Reciprocal: Genesis 13:3 - Bethel and Hai Genesis 16:13 - called Genesis 22:14 - called Genesis 32:30 - Peniel Genesis 35:6 - Luz Genesis 35:7 - General Genesis 35:14 - General Genesis 35:15 - Bethel Joshua 7:2 - Bethaven Joshua 12:16 - Bethel Joshua 16:2 - Bethel Joshua 18:13 - side of Luz Judges 1:23 - Luz Judges 15:19 - Enhakkore 1 Samuel 7:12 - took a stone 1 Samuel 10:3 - Bethel 1 Samuel 30:27 - Bethel 2 Kings 2:2 - Bethel 1 Chronicles 7:28 - Bethel 2 Chronicles 20:26 - the name Nehemiah 11:31 - Aija

Verse 20

vowed: Genesis 31:13, Leviticus 27:1-34, Numbers 6:1-20, Numbers 21:2, Numbers 21:3, Judges 11:30, Judges 11:31, 1 Samuel 1:11, 1 Samuel 1:28, 1 Samuel 14:24, 2 Samuel 15:8, Nehemiah 9:1 - Nehemiah 10:39, Psalms 22:25, Psalms 56:12, Psalms 61:5, Psalms 61:8, Psalms 66:13, Psalms 76:11, Psalms 116:14, Psalms 116:18, Psalms 119:106, Psalms 132:2, Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, Isaiah 19:21, John 1:16, Acts 18:18, Acts 23:12-15

If God: Genesis 28:15

will give: 1 Timothy 6:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:3 - Return Genesis 35:3 - was with Genesis 48:15 - fed me Leviticus 22:21 - to accomplish Leviticus 27:2 - When Numbers 30:2 - vow a vow Deuteronomy 12:26 - thy vows Deuteronomy 23:21 - General Ruth 1:6 - in giving Psalms 66:14 - when Proverbs 30:8 - feed Ecclesiastes 5:2 - not rash Ecclesiastes 5:4 - vowest Jonah 1:16 - made Philippians 4:11 - I have

Verse 21

I come: Judges 11:31, 2 Samuel 19:24, 2 Samuel 19:30

then: Exodus 15:2, Deuteronomy 26:17, 2 Samuel 15:8, 2 Kings 5:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 28:15 - I am Genesis 31:18 - for to go Genesis 49:25 - the God Luke 20:37 - when

Verse 22

God's: Genesis 28:17, Genesis 12:8, Genesis 21:33, Genesis 33:20, Genesis 35:1, Genesis 35:15

I will: Genesis 14:20, Leviticus 27:30-33, Deuteronomy 14:22, Deuteronomy 14:23

Reciprocal: Genesis 35:6 - Luz Genesis 35:7 - General Genesis 48:15 - fed me Exodus 15:2 - an habitation Exodus 24:4 - twelve pillars Joshua 4:3 - twelve stones 1 Samuel 10:3 - Bethel 1 Chronicles 29:14 - all things Nehemiah 10:32 - to charge Proverbs 3:9 - General Ecclesiastes 5:2 - not rash Hebrews 7:2 - a tenth