Genesis 28

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 28:1-5

Isaac’s blessing 27:1-28:5Here we have the third round of Jacob’s battle with Esau. The first was at birth (Genesis 25:21-28) and the second was over the birthright (Genesis 25:29-34). [Note: See Mathews, Genesis 11:27-50:26, pp. 418-19, for clarification of the difference between a birthright and a blessing.] In all three incidents Jacob manipulated his brother-unnecessarily, in view of God’s promise (Genesis 25:23)."This chapter [27] offers one of the most singular instances of God’s... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 28:6-9

Esau’s further marriages 28:6-9Esau sought to obtain his parents’ approval by marrying one of Abraham’s descendants.However "he failed to consider that Ishmael had been separated from the house of Abraham and family of promise by the appointment of God; so that it only furnished another proof that he had no thought of the religious interests of the chosen family and was unfit to be the recipient of divine revelation." [Note: Keil and Delitzsch, 1:281.] This great story teaches that when God’s... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 28:10-17

The "ladder" (Genesis 28:12, Heb. sullam) evidently resembled a stairway or ramp. Some interpreters take it as an allusion to a ziggurat while others believe it refers to the slope or ascent of the mountain of Bethel. [Note: See C. Houtman, "What Did Jacob See In His Dream At Bethel?" Vetus Testamentum 27:3 (July 1977):337-51.] "The ladder was a visible symbol of the real and uninterrupted fellowship between God in heaven and His people upon earth. The angels upon it carry up the wants of men... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 28:10-22

6. Jacob’s vision at Bethel 28:10-22"From a ’stone pillow’ to a ’stone pillar,’ this account tells how Jacob’s lodging place at Bethel became the most celebrated place of worship among the patriarchal narratives." [Note: Mathews, Genesis 11:27-50:26, p. 442.] Yahweh appeared at the top of an angel-filled stairway restating the promise to Abraham and adding more promises of blessing and protection for Jacob. The patriarch acknowledged God’s presence, memorialized the place with a monument stone... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 28:18-22

Jacob set the stone up as a memorial to this revelation and God’s promise (Genesis 28:18). Pouring oil on it constituted an act of consecration. Jacob did not build an altar in response to God’s revelation, as his forefathers had done.Jacob vowed to convert his pillar into an altar if God would fulfill His promise (Genesis 28:15). This is the only recorded time that a patriarch proposed a vow with God (cf. Genesis 31:13). He swore that Yahweh would be his God if God proved faithful to him.... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 28:1-22

Jacob Departs for Padan-aram. His Dream at Bethel1-4. Isaac bids Jacob seek one of the daughters of his uncle Laban in marriage, and assures him that the blessings and promises bestowed on Abraham should fall to him as heir.6-9. Esau’s marriage, though well meant, was only a union with the seed of the Egyptian bondservant, and therefore not one of the pure Hebrew race.10. After journeying for some days, Jacob reaches the district in the mountains of Ephraim, where Abraham had rested, when... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 28:1

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 frankness of Isaac’s conduct. There is no attempt to substitute Esau for Jacob, nor to lessen the privileges... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 28:1-22

THE TÔLDÔTH ISAAC (Genesis 25:19 to Genesis 35:29). THE BIRTH OF ISAAC’S SONS.Abraham begat Isaac—The Tôldôth in its original form gave probably a complete genealogy of Isaac, tracing up his descent to Shem, and showing thereby that the right of primogeniture belonged to him; but the inspired historian uses only so much of this as is necessary for tracing the development of the Divine plan of human redemption.The Syrian.—Really, the Aramean, or descendant of Aram. (See Genesis 10:22-23.) The... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 28:2

(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 prominent part taken by Laban in his sister’s marriage. It was this greater knowledge which made Isaac send... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 28:3

(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 congregation of peoples. This is not the word used in Genesis 17:4, but one that signifies an assembly, especially one... read more

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 28:1-5

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 28:6-9

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 28:10-17

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 28:10-22

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 28:18-22

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 28:1-22

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 28:1

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 28:1-22

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 28:2

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 28:3

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