King James Version

What Does Genesis 28:6 Mean?

Genesis 28:6 in the King James Version says “When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as ...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

Genesis 28:6 · KJV

Context

4

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

5

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.

6

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;

7

And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padanaram;

8

And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father; pleased: Heb. were evil in the eyes, etc

Read Genesis 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padan-aram, to take him a wife from... 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.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding this verse shape our doctrine of humanity, sin, or salvation?
  2. How should this truth about Stone Pillar shape our daily decisions and priorities?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיַּ֣רְא1 of 25

“saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

עֵשָׂ֗ו2 of 25

“When Esau”

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

כִּֽי3 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בְּבָרֲכ֣וֹ4 of 25

“from thence and that as he blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

יִצְחָק֮5 of 25

“that Isaac”

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

אֶֽת6 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יַעֲקֹב֒7 of 25

“Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

וְשִׁלַּ֤ח8 of 25

“and sent him away”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֹתוֹ֙9 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

פַּדֶּ֣נָֽה10 of 25
H0
אֲרָ֔ם11 of 25

“to Padanaram”

H6307

paddan or paddan-aram, a region of syria

תִקַּ֥ח12 of 25

“Thou shalt not take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

ל֥וֹ13 of 25
H0
מִשָּׁ֖ם14 of 25
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

אִשָּׁ֖ה15 of 25

“a wife”

H802

a woman

בְּבָרֲכ֣וֹ16 of 25

“from thence and that as he blessed”

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

אֹת֔וֹ17 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וַיְצַ֤ו18 of 25

“him he gave him a charge”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

עָלָיו֙19 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לֵאמֹ֔ר20 of 25

“saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹֽא21 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִקַּ֥ח22 of 25

“Thou shalt not take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אִשָּׁ֖ה23 of 25

“a wife”

H802

a woman

מִבְּנ֥וֹת24 of 25

“of the daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

כְּנָֽעַן׃25 of 25

“of Canaan”

H3667

kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 28:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 28:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 27:33Genesis 28:1

Places in This Verse

CanaanRegion · Modern: Canaan · 32.77°N, 35.33°E101 verses across 16 books
Paddan-aramRegion · Modern: Harran · 36.86°N, 39.03°E11 verses across 1 book
View all places in Genesis 28 →

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