Genesis 28

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:5

Genesis 28:5. Isaac sent away Jacob, &c.— It has been generally supposed, though without any warrant from the text, that Isaac sent away this son, the heir of the promise, to walk quite alone all this long journey into Syria. I cannot conceive, that even in those times, simple as they were, such a step would have been taken: and I apprehend, that the reason which is given for this proceeding in Isaac and Rebekah rather proves the contrary: they sent him away privately, it is supposed,... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:9

Genesis 28:9. Then went Esau unto Ishmael— That is, to the country or family of Ishmael: see ch. Genesis 36:3. Ishmael himself had now been dead several years. Esau began now to see his rash choice, and fain would mend it by a match more to his father's mind: in order to which he takes a daughter of Ishmael; and thus, instead of mending the matter, he, if possible, but more confirmed the exclusion of his seed from the grand promise, for the bond-woman had been solemnly cast out and rejected.... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:11

Genesis 28:11. Lighted upon a certain place, &c.— From Beer-sheba to Padan-aram was a journey of about 500 miles. In the first day's journey he rested at a place called Luz, Gen 28:19 which is about a day's journey from Beer-sheba. Here he found a convenient place to lodge in, shaded probably with trees, for the word Luz signifies an almond tree: and, used to the labours of a pastoral life, he chose one of the stones which he thought most convenient for his pillow; on which, being properly... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:13

Genesis 28:13. The Lord— Jehovah; the second Divine Person, He who had always manifested himself to the Patriarchs. The words, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed, might perhaps be read with as much propriety, to thee, EVEN to thy seed: see ch. Genesis 13:15. Nothing can be conceived more majestic than this declaration, on the part of the Almighty; and to Jacob, nothing could be more consolatory and refreshing. The benediction given to Jacob was applied in after-times among the Jews by... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:16

Genesis 28:16. Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not— Jacob knew very well that the Lord was in every place; nor can his words be fairly understood to contradict this fundamental knowledge. But though the Lord is in every place, yet, he was pleased, of old times, to vouchsafe his presence to manifest his glory, in some places peculiarly; to this Jacob refers: "This is a place consecrated to, and in which the Lord manifests himself; and I knew not that it was a place of such a... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:18

Genesis 28:18. Set it up for a pillar, and poured oil, &c.— The antiquity of this custom (of which we shall find frequent mention) is very evident from this place: he set up the pillar to preserve the memory of the vision, and he poured oil upon it, to consecrate it to God, and as a monument of his favour. See Dr. Jackson's Treatise of the Original of Unbelief, c. 35. It might perhaps be esteemed an omission, were we not to observe, that this stone was held in great veneration by the Jews... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:19

Genesis 28:19. Of that place, Beth-el— That is, the house of God. It is imagined from what follows, (the name of that city was Luz,) that there was a city near the place where Jacob slept; but it is more probable that a city was built there in after-times. From the word Beth-el some derive the baetylia or baetylii of the Heathens, mentioned by Sanchoniatho; a sort of rude stones, which they worshipped as symbols of divinity. The word matzebah, says Stack-house, which our interpreters render a... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:20

Genesis 28:20. Jacob vowed a vow, &c.— This is the first time we find mention made of a vow, which was allowed then, and in after-ages, to be a part of religion, and no doubt had been inculcated upon Jacob as such by his pious ancestors. See Psalms 50:14; Psalms 65:1; Psalms 65:13. The plain meaning of Jacob's vow is this: "If God shall be pleased to preserve me, that I may return again to this place, then will I glorify him here in a public and remarkable manner, by adhering stedfastly to... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:22

Genesis 28:22. This stone, &c.— Not that he intended, as Le Clerc observes, to erect any building in the place, but only that by coming and worshipping there, he would appropriate this stone to the service of God, and probably build an altar there; for in these early times they adored God under the open canopy of heaven, and groves or mountains were all their temples. And we may observe, as we have already intimated, that it has been usual in all the early ages of the world to consider such... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 28

CHAPTER 28 :-. JACOB'S DEPARTURE. read more

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:5

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:9

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:11

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:13

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:16

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:18

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:19

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:20

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 28:22

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 28

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