King James Version
Genesis 28
22 verses with commentary
Jacob Sent to Laban
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.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a w...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
XXVIII.
(1) **Isaac called Jacob. . . . —**Though Rebekah’s primary motive was her concern for Jacob’s safety, yet we must not imagine that his marriage was a mere pretext. On the contrary, now that he was acknowledged as the firstborn, both he and she would have been abandoning his high position had they not arranged for the fulfilment of his duty in this respect. What is remarkable is the frankn...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**13-17. and his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse--**His conscience being soothed by his mother, preparations were hastily made for carrying out the device; consisting, first, of a kid's flesh, which, made into a ragout, spiced with salt, onions, garlic, and lemon juice, might easily be passed off on a blind old man, with blunted senses, as game; second, of pieces of goat's skin bound on...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 28
Chapter Outline
Isaac sends Jacob to Padan-aram.
(1-5)
Esau marries the daughter of Ishmael.(6-9)
Jacob's vision.(10-15)
The stone of Beth-el.
(16-19)
Jacob's vow.(20-22)
**Verses 1-5**
Jacob had blessings promised both as to this world and that which is to come; yet goes out to a hard service. This corrected him for the fraud on his father. The ble...
Read full commentary →Arise, go to Padanaram, 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.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Arise, go to Padan-aram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from then...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Padan-aram.**—See Note on Genesis 25:20. Throughout this verse Isaac shows a much more intimate acquaintance with the family at Haran than was possessed by Abraham. (Comp. Genesis 24:4.) And though we gather from Genesis 28:5 that Bethuel was now dead, yet it is evident that he was a person of more importance than is supposed by the Rabbins, who ascribe to his feebleness or death the promine...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18-27. he came unto his father--**The scheme planned by the mother was to be executed by the son in the father's bedchamber; and it is painful to think of the deliberate falsehoods, as well as daring profanity, he resorted to. The disguise, though wanting in one thing, which had nearly upset the whole plot, succeeded in misleading Isaac; and while giving his paternal embrace, the old man was rou...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 28
Chapter Outline
Isaac sends Jacob to Padan-aram.
(1-5)
Esau marries the daughter of Ishmael.(6-9)
Jacob's vision.(10-15)
The stone of Beth-el.
(16-19)
Jacob's vow.(20-22)
**Verses 1-5**
Jacob had blessings promised both as to this world and that which is to come; yet goes out to a hard service. This corrected him for the fraud on his father. The ble...
Read full commentary →And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people; a multitude: Heb. an assembly of people
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multit...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **God Almighty.**—Heb., *El Shaddai. *As it was Isaac’s purpose in this blessing to confirm Jacob in the possession of the promises made to Abraham, he is careful to use the same title as that borne by God in the covenant whereby the land of Canaan was given to his seed, and of which the sacrament of circumcision was the seal. (See Genesis 17:1.)
**A multitude of people.**—Heb., *a congregatio...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18-27. he came unto his father--**The scheme planned by the mother was to be executed by the son in the father's bedchamber; and it is painful to think of the deliberate falsehoods, as well as daring profanity, he resorted to. The disguise, though wanting in one thing, which had nearly upset the whole plot, succeeded in misleading Isaac; and while giving his paternal embrace, the old man was rou...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 28
Chapter Outline
Isaac sends Jacob to Padan-aram.
(1-5)
Esau marries the daughter of Ishmael.(6-9)
Jacob's vision.(10-15)
The stone of Beth-el.
(16-19)
Jacob's vow.(20-22)
**Verses 1-5**
Jacob had blessings promised both as to this world and that which is to come; yet goes out to a hard service. This corrected him for the fraud on his father. The ble...
Read full commentary →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. wherein: Heb. of thy sojournings
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit ...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18-27. he came unto his father--**The scheme planned by the mother was to be executed by the son in the father's bedchamber; and it is painful to think of the deliberate falsehoods, as well as daring profanity, he resorted to. The disguise, though wanting in one thing, which had nearly upset the whole plot, succeeded in misleading Isaac; and while giving his paternal embrace, the old man was rou...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 28
Chapter Outline
Isaac sends Jacob to Padan-aram.
(1-5)
Esau marries the daughter of Ishmael.(6-9)
Jacob's vision.(10-15)
The stone of Beth-el.
(16-19)
Jacob's vow.(20-22)
**Verses 1-5**
Jacob had blessings promised both as to this world and that which is to come; yet goes out to a hard service. This corrected him for the fraud on his father. The ble...
Read full commentary →And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padan-aram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brot...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.**—This insertion of particulars already well known is in exact accordance with the Oriental manner of writing, which, moreover, is very careful in impressing all matters of family relation on the mind. (Comp. Genesis 25:12.) It is worthy of notice that as Jacob has now been confirmed in the possession of the birthright by the father as well as by the mother, his na...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18-27. he came unto his father--**The scheme planned by the mother was to be executed by the son in the father's bedchamber; and it is painful to think of the deliberate falsehoods, as well as daring profanity, he resorted to. The disguise, though wanting in one thing, which had nearly upset the whole plot, succeeded in misleading Isaac; and while giving his paternal embrace, the old man was rou...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 28
Chapter Outline
Isaac sends Jacob to Padan-aram.
(1-5)
Esau marries the daughter of Ishmael.(6-9)
Jacob's vision.(10-15)
The stone of Beth-el.
(16-19)
Jacob's vow.(20-22)
**Verses 1-5**
Jacob had blessings promised both as to this world and that which is to come; yet goes out to a hard service. This corrected him for the fraud on his father. The ble...
Read full commentary →When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, 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;
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padan-aram, to take him a wife from...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
ESAU MARRIES A DAUGHTER OF ISHMAEL.
(6) **When Esau.**—The solemn transfer of the birthright to Jacob, and Isaac’s complete assent thereto, must have been the cause of no little grief to Esau, and evidently it made him feel that he had greatly contributed to this result by his own illegitimate marriages. When, then, he sees Jacob sent away to obtain a wife, in accordance with the rule established ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18-27. he came unto his father--**The scheme planned by the mother was to be executed by the son in the father's bedchamber; and it is painful to think of the deliberate falsehoods, as well as daring profanity, he resorted to. The disguise, though wanting in one thing, which had nearly upset the whole plot, succeeded in misleading Isaac; and while giving his paternal embrace, the old man was rou...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-9**
Good examples impress even the profane and malicious. But Esau thought, by pleasing his parents in one thing, to atone for other wrong doings. Carnal hearts are apt to think themselves as good as they should be, because in some one matter they are not so bad as they have been.
And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padanaram;
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padan-aram;...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.<...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18-27. he came unto his father--**The scheme planned by the mother was to be executed by the son in the father's bedchamber; and it is painful to think of the deliberate falsehoods, as well as daring profanity, he resorted to. The disguise, though wanting in one thing, which had nearly upset the whole plot, succeeded in misleading Isaac; and while giving his paternal embrace, the old man was rou...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-9**
Good examples impress even the profane and malicious. But Esau thought, by pleasing his parents in one thing, to atone for other wrong doings. Carnal hearts are apt to think themselves as good as they should be, because in some one matter they are not so bad as they have been.
And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father; pleased: Heb. were evil in the eyes, etc
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father;...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.<br...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18-27. he came unto his father--**The scheme planned by the mother was to be executed by the son in the father's bedchamber; and it is painful to think of the deliberate falsehoods, as well as daring profanity, he resorted to. The disguise, though wanting in one thing, which had nearly upset the whole plot, succeeded in misleading Isaac; and while giving his paternal embrace, the old man was rou...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-9**
Good examples impress even the profane and malicious. But Esau thought, by pleasing his parents in one thing, to atone for other wrong doings. Carnal hearts are apt to think themselves as good as they should be, because in some one matter they are not so bad as they have been.
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. Mahalath: or, Bashemath
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael A...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18-27. he came unto his father--**The scheme planned by the mother was to be executed by the son in the father's bedchamber; and it is painful to think of the deliberate falsehoods, as well as daring profanity, he resorted to. The disguise, though wanting in one thing, which had nearly upset the whole plot, succeeded in misleading Isaac; and while giving his paternal embrace, the old man was rou...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-9**
Good examples impress even the profane and malicious. But Esau thought, by pleasing his parents in one thing, to atone for other wrong doings. Carnal hearts are apt to think themselves as good as they should be, because in some one matter they are not so bad as they have been.
Jacob's Dream at Bethel
And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. Haran: Gr. Charran
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran....</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.<br><br>Key themes ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
JACOB’S DREAM.
(10) **And Jacob.**—Though this history is called the *Tôldôth Isaac, *yet it is really the history of Jacob, just as the *Tôldôth Terah *was the history of Abraham, and the *Tôldôth Jacob, *beginning at Genesis 37:2, is the history of Joseph. Up to this time all had been preparation, but now at length Jacob is confirmed in the possession of the birthright, and made the heir of the ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18-27. he came unto his father--**The scheme planned by the mother was to be executed by the son in the father's bedchamber; and it is painful to think of the deliberate falsehoods, as well as daring profanity, he resorted to. The disguise, though wanting in one thing, which had nearly upset the whole plot, succeeded in misleading Isaac; and while giving his paternal embrace, the old man was rou...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-15**
Jacob's conduct hitherto, as recorded, was not that of one who simply feared and trusted in God. But now in trouble, obliged to flee, he looked only to God to make him to dwell in safety, and he could lie down and sleep in the open air with his head upon a stone. Any true believer would be willing to take up with Jacob's pillow, provided he might have Jacob's vision. God's tim...
Read full commentary →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.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he to...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **He lighted upon a certain place.**—Heb., *he lighted upon the place. *The article probably signifies that it was the place appointed for the revelation, though lighted upon by Jacob by chance. As it lay twelve miles north of Jerusalem, in the mountains of Ephraim, Jacob had already been at least four days on the route (see Note on Genesis 22:4); and though we are not to suppose that Isaac w...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**18-27. he came unto his father--**The scheme planned by the mother was to be executed by the son in the father's bedchamber; and it is painful to think of the deliberate falsehoods, as well as daring profanity, he resorted to. The disguise, though wanting in one thing, which had nearly upset the whole plot, succeeded in misleading Isaac; and while giving his paternal embrace, the old man was rou...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-15**
Jacob's conduct hitherto, as recorded, was not that of one who simply feared and trusted in God. But now in trouble, obliged to flee, he looked only to God to make him to dwell in safety, and he could lie down and sleep in the open air with his head upon a stone. Any true believer would be willing to take up with Jacob's pillow, provided he might have Jacob's vision. God's tim...
Read full commentary →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.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and be...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) **Behold a ladder. . . . —**Isaac had confirmed Jacob in the possession of the blessing before he started on his long journey, but it was necessary that he should also have the Divine ratification of his appointment; for the chief privilege was the covenant with God previously confirmed to Isaac, his father (Genesis 17:19-21). Day after day, then, he travels forward, anxious and oppressed, fe...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
Ge 27:28-46. The Blessing.
**28. God give thee of the dew of heaven--**To an Oriental mind, this phraseology implied the highest flow of prosperity. The copious fall of dew is indispensable to the fruitfulness of lands, which would be otherwise arid and sterile through the violent heat; and it abounds most in hilly regions, such as Canaan, hence called the "fat land" (Ne 9:25, 35).
**plenty of ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-15**
Jacob's conduct hitherto, as recorded, was not that of one who simply feared and trusted in God. But now in trouble, obliged to flee, he looked only to God to make him to dwell in safety, and he could lie down and sleep in the open air with his head upon a stone. Any true believer would be willing to take up with Jacob's pillow, provided he might have Jacob's vision. God's tim...
Read full commentary →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;
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29. Let people serve thee--**fulfilled in the discomfiture of the hostile tribes that opposed the Israelites in the wilderness; and in the pre-eminence and power they attained after their national establishment in the promised land. This blessing was not realized to Jacob, but to his descendants; and the temporal blessings promised were but a shadow of those spiritual ones, which formed the gran...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-15**
Jacob's conduct hitherto, as recorded, was not that of one who simply feared and trusted in God. But now in trouble, obliged to flee, he looked only to God to make him to dwell in safety, and he could lie down and sleep in the open air with his head upon a stone. Any true believer would be willing to take up with Jacob's pillow, provided he might have Jacob's vision. God's tim...
Read full commentary →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. spread: Heb. break forth
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**30-35. Esau came in from his hunting--**Scarcely had the former scene been concluded, when the fraud was discovered. The emotions of Isaac, as well as Esau, may easily be imagined--the astonishment, alarm, and sorrow of the one; the disappointment and indignation of the other. But a moment's reflection convinced the aged patriarch that the transfer of the blessing was "of the Lord," and now irre...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-15**
Jacob's conduct hitherto, as recorded, was not that of one who simply feared and trusted in God. But now in trouble, obliged to flee, he looked only to God to make him to dwell in safety, and he could lie down and sleep in the open air with his head upon a stone. Any true believer would be willing to take up with Jacob's pillow, provided he might have Jacob's vision. God's tim...
Read full commentary →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.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring the...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**30-35. Esau came in from his hunting--**Scarcely had the former scene been concluded, when the fraud was discovered. The emotions of Isaac, as well as Esau, may easily be imagined--the astonishment, alarm, and sorrow of the one; the disappointment and indignation of the other. But a moment's reflection convinced the aged patriarch that the transfer of the blessing was "of the Lord," and now irre...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-15**
Jacob's conduct hitherto, as recorded, was not that of one who simply feared and trusted in God. But now in trouble, obliged to flee, he looked only to God to make him to dwell in safety, and he could lie down and sleep in the open air with his head upon a stone. Any true believer would be willing to take up with Jacob's pillow, provided he might have Jacob's vision. God's tim...
Read full commentary →And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not....</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(16) **Surely the Lord (Jehovah) is in this place.**—Jacob was not unaware of the omnipresence of the Deity: what astonished him was that Jehovah should thus reveal Himself far away from the shrines where He was worshipped. Rebekah had gone to one of these to inquire of Jehovah (Genesis 25:22), and probably to a shrine in the very neighbourhood of the place where Jacob was sleeping (Genesis 12:8)....
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**30-35. Esau came in from his hunting--**Scarcely had the former scene been concluded, when the fraud was discovered. The emotions of Isaac, as well as Esau, may easily be imagined--the astonishment, alarm, and sorrow of the one; the disappointment and indignation of the other. But a moment's reflection convinced the aged patriarch that the transfer of the blessing was "of the Lord," and now irre...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-19**
God manifested himself and his favour, to Jacob, when he was asleep. The Spirit, like the wind, blows when and where it listeth, and God's grace, like the dew, tarrieth not for the sons of men. Jacob sought to improve the visit God had made him. Wherever we are, in the city or in the desert, in the house or in the field, in the shop or in the street, we may keep up our interco...
Read full commentary →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.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, an...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(17) **How dreadful.**—The manifestation of God must always inspire awe and dread, but not fear: for where He reveals Himself, there is “the gate of heaven”—the appointed entrance for prayer now, and for admission to the glorified life hereafter.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**30-35. Esau came in from his hunting--**Scarcely had the former scene been concluded, when the fraud was discovered. The emotions of Isaac, as well as Esau, may easily be imagined--the astonishment, alarm, and sorrow of the one; the disappointment and indignation of the other. But a moment's reflection convinced the aged patriarch that the transfer of the blessing was "of the Lord," and now irre...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-19**
God manifested himself and his favour, to Jacob, when he was asleep. The Spirit, like the wind, blows when and where it listeth, and God's grace, like the dew, tarrieth not for the sons of men. Jacob sought to improve the visit God had made him. Wherever we are, in the city or in the desert, in the house or in the field, in the shop or in the street, we may keep up our interco...
Read full commentary →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.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set ...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(18) **Jacob . . . took the stone . . . and set it up for a pillar.**—In so doing, Jacob’s object was to mark the spot where so important a communication had been made to him. But besides its use as a memorial, it would enable him to identify the place upon his return, and pay there his vows. And as oil was the symbol of the dedication of a thing to holy uses, he pours oil upon the top of it.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**30-35. Esau came in from his hunting--**Scarcely had the former scene been concluded, when the fraud was discovered. The emotions of Isaac, as well as Esau, may easily be imagined--the astonishment, alarm, and sorrow of the one; the disappointment and indignation of the other. But a moment's reflection convinced the aged patriarch that the transfer of the blessing was "of the Lord," and now irre...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-19**
God manifested himself and his favour, to Jacob, when he was asleep. The Spirit, like the wind, blows when and where it listeth, and God's grace, like the dew, tarrieth not for the sons of men. Jacob sought to improve the visit God had made him. Wherever we are, in the city or in the desert, in the house or in the field, in the shop or in the street, we may keep up our interco...
Read full commentary →And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. Bethel: that is, The house of God
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And he called the name of that place Beth-el: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first....</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **Beth-el **. . . **Luz.**—In Joshua 16:1-2, we find that Luz and Beth-el were distinct places, though near one another; and with this agrees the present passage. For plainly, Jacob and his attendants did not go inside the city, but slept on the open ground; and as they would carry their provisions with them, they would need no supplies from its Canaanite inhabitants. Probably at the time of ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**30-35. Esau came in from his hunting--**Scarcely had the former scene been concluded, when the fraud was discovered. The emotions of Isaac, as well as Esau, may easily be imagined--the astonishment, alarm, and sorrow of the one; the disappointment and indignation of the other. But a moment's reflection convinced the aged patriarch that the transfer of the blessing was "of the Lord," and now irre...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-19**
God manifested himself and his favour, to Jacob, when he was asleep. The Spirit, like the wind, blows when and where it listeth, and God's grace, like the dew, tarrieth not for the sons of men. Jacob sought to improve the visit God had made him. Wherever we are, in the city or in the desert, in the house or in the field, in the shop or in the street, we may keep up our interco...
Read full commentary →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,
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and w...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(20-22) **Then shall the Lord (Jehovah) be my God.**—This is a false translation, and gives a wrong sense. Jacob, in his vow, which implies no doubt on his part, but is his acceptance of the terms of the covenant, says: “If Elohim will be with me, and will protect me on this journey that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, and if I come again in peace to my father’s house, an...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 20-22**
Jacob made a solemn vow on this occasion. In this observe, 1. Jacob's faith. He trusts that God will be with him, and will keep him; he depends upon it. 2. Jacob's moderation in his desires. He asks not for soft clothing and dainty meat. If God give us much, we are bound to be thankful, and to use it for him; if he gives us but little, we are bound to be content, and cheerfull...
Read full commentary →So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transf...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 20-22**
Jacob made a solemn vow on this occasion. In this observe, 1. Jacob's faith. He trusts that God will be with him, and will keep him; he depends upon it. 2. Jacob's moderation in his desires. He asks not for soft clothing and dainty meat. If God give us much, we are bound to be thankful, and to use it for him; if he gives us but little, we are bound to be content, and cheerfull...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give...</strong> This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 20-22**
Jacob made a solemn vow on this occasion. In this observe, 1. Jacob's faith. He trusts that God will be with him, and will keep him; he depends upon it. 2. Jacob's moderation in his desires. He asks not for soft clothing and dainty meat. If God give us much, we are bound to be thankful, and to use it for him; if he gives us but little, we are bound to be content, and cheerfull...
Read full commentary →