Genesis 28

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 28:16

And Jacob awaked out of his sleep (during which he had seen and talked with Jehovah), and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not . Jacob does not here learn the doctrine of the Divine omnipresence for the first time (Knobel), but now discovers that the covenant God of Abraham revealed himself at other than consecrated places (Rosenmüller, Keil, Lange, Murphy); or perhaps simply gives expression to his astonishment at finding that whereas he fancied himself alone, he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 28:17

And he was afraid ,—so were Moses ( Exodus 20:18 , Exodus 20:19 ), Job ( Genesis 42:5 , Genesis 42:6 ), Isaiah ( Genesis 6:5 ), Peter ( Luke 5:8 ), John ( Revelation 1:17 , Revelation 1:18 ), at similar discoveries of the Divine presence— and said, How dreadful is this place !— i . e . how to be feared! how awe-inspiring! φοβερὸς ( LXX .), terribilis (Vulgate)— this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. Not literally, but... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 28:18

And Jacob rose up early in the morning (cf. Genesis 19:27 ; Genesis 22:3 ), and took the stone that he had put for his pillows ( vide supra ), and set it up for a pillar —literally, set it up , a pillar (or something set upright, hence a statue or monument); not as an object of worship, a sort of fetish, but as a memorial of the vision (Calvin, Keil, Murphy; cf. Genesis 31:45 ; Genesis 35:14 ; Joshua 4:9 , Joshua 4:20 ; Joshua 14:1-15 :26; 1 Samuel 7:12 )— and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 28:18-22

The grateful retrospect and the consecrated prospect. I. THE TRUE LIFE is that which starts from the place of fellowship with God and commits the future to him. We can always find a pillar of blessed memorial and consecration. The Bethel . 1. Providential care. 2. Religious privilege. 3. Special communications of the Spirit. God with us as a fact. Our pilgrimage a Bethel all through. II. THE TRUE TESTIMONY that which erects a stone of witness, a Bethel , ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 28:19

And he called the name of that place Bethel —i.e. a house of God. Rosenmüller and Kalisch find a connection between Bethel and Baetylia, the former regarding Beetylia as a corruption of Bethel, and the latter viewing Bethel as the Hebraised form of Beetylion. Keil objects to both that the interchange of τ in βαιτύλιον, and Θ in βαιθήλ), would be perfectly inexplicable. On the site of Bethel (Beitin) vide Genesis 12:8 . But the name of that city was called Luz at the first. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 28:20-21

And Jacob vowed a vow ,—not in any mercenary or doubtful spirit, but as an expression of gratitude for the Divine mercy (Calvin), as the soul's full and free acceptance of the Lord to be its own God (Murphy), as the instinctive impulse of the new creature (Candlish)— saying, If (not the language of uncertainty, but equivalent to "since, ' or "forasmuch as;" Jacob by faith both appropriating and anticipating the fulfillment of the preceding promise) God (Elohim; for the reason of which ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 28:22

And (or then, the apodosis now commencing) this stone which I have set for a pillar ( vide on Genesis 28:18 ) shall be God's house —Bethel, meaning that he would afterwards erect there an altar for the celebration of Divine worship—a resolution which was subsequently carried out ( vide Genesis 35:1 , Genesis 35:15 ). "The pillar or cairn or cromlech of Bethel must have been looked upon by the Israelites, and may be still looked upon in thought by us, as the precursor of every... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 28:1-22

- Jacob’s Journey to Haran3. קהל qâhāl, “congregation.”9. מחלת māchălat, Machalath, “sickness, or a harp.”19. לוּז lûz, Luz, “almond.”The blessing of his sons was the last passage in the active life of Isaac, after which he retires from the scene. Jacob now becomes the leading figure in the sacred history. His spiritual character has yet come out to view. But even now we can discern the general distinction in the lives of the three patriarchs. Abraham’s is a life of authority and decision;... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 28

A.M. 2244. B.C. 1760. We have here, (1,) Jacob’s parting with his parents to go to Padan-aram; the charge his father gave him, Genesis 28:1-2 , the blessing he sent him away with, Genesis 28:3-4 , his obedience to the orders given him, Genesis 28:5-10 , and the influence this had upon Esau, Genesis 28:6 . (2,) Jacob’s meeting with God, and his communion with him by the way. And, 1, His vision of the ladder, Genesis 28:11-12 . Genesis 28:2 , The gracious promises God made him,... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 28:1

Genesis 28:1. Isaac blessed him That is, purposely and designedly, and in faith now confirmed that blessing to him, which before he had given him unknowingly. And hereby God confirmed Jacob’s faith against doubts and fears, and comforted him against future troubles that might befall him. And charged him Those that have the blessing must keep the charge annexed to it, and not think to separate what God has joined. Genesis 28:3-4 . God Almighty bless thee Two great promises Abraham was... read more

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