Genesis 28:11-19

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 28:10-15

We have here Jacob upon his journey towards Syria, in a very desolate condition, like one that was sent to seek his fortune; but we find that, though he was alone, yet he was not alone, for the Father was with him, John 16:32. If what is here recorded happened (as it should seem it did) the first night, he had made a long day's journey from Beersheba to Bethel, above forty miles. Providence brought him to a convenient place, probably shaded with trees, to rest himself in that night; and there... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 28:16-22

God manifested himself and his favour to Jacob when he was asleep and purely passive; for the spirit, like the wind, blows when and where he listeth, and God's grace, like the dew, tarrieth not for the sons of men, Mic. 5:7. But Jacob applied himself to the improvement of the visit God had made him when he was awake; and we may well think he awaked, as the prophet did (Jer. 31:26), and behold his sleep was sweet to him. Here is much of Jacob's devotion on this occasion. I. He expressed a great... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 28:11

And he lighted upon a certain place ,.... Without any design to take up there, but as it were casually to him, though very providentially, after he had travelled forty eight miles; for so far it seems it was from Beersheba to Luz or Bethel F11 Bunting's Travels, p. 72. , as this place was called: and tarried there all night, because the sun was set ; which hindered his pursuing his journey any further that day, and therefore took a night's lodging here: and he took of the stones of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 28:12

And he dreamed ,.... As he slept; not a common dream, but under divine direction and influence: and, behold, a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven : denoting either the providence of God, and the various steps of it, bringing about his own glory and the good of his people; and which is steady, firm, and sure, and reaches to all things here on earth; and in an especial manner is concerned about the people of God, their protection and safety; and is directed and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 28:13

And behold, the Lord stood above it ,.... Ordering, directing, and overruling all things in Providence, for the glory of his name and the good of his people; and may signify, as the ladder may be a figure of Christ, that Jehovah the Father, is above him, as man and Mediator, and makes himself known in and by him, and delivers out all his blessings and promises through him, both temporal and spiritual, and such as follow: and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 28:14

And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth ,.... Innumerable, see Genesis 13:16 , and thou shalt spread abroad to the west ; or "the sea", the Mediterranean sea, which was west of the land of Canaan: and to the east, and to the north, and to the south ; not of the whole world, but of the land of Canaan: the meaning is, that his posterity should be numerous, and break out and spread themselves like a flood of water, and reach to the utmost bounds of the land on all sides: and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 28:15

And, behold, I am with thee ,.... Though alone, at a distance from his father's house, no friend to keep him company, or servant to attend him; but the presence of God here promised is abundantly more than an equivalent for all this: and will keep thee in all places , whither thou goest ; from beasts of prey, in lonesome places through which he might travel; from thieves and robbers, to whom he might be exposed; from his brother Esau, and all his ill designs against him; and from... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 28:16

And Jacob awaked out of his sleep ,.... Which had been sweet unto him, and out of his dream, it being now over; and it having left such a weight upon his mind, and such an awe upon his spirits, it might tend the sooner to awaken him; what time it was is not said, perhaps it was in the middle of the night or towards morning, since after this it is said that he rose early in the morning: and he said, surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not ; God is everywhere, in a general... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 28:17

And he was afraid ,.... Not with a servile but filial fear; not with a fear of the wrath and displeasure of God, but with a fear of his grace and goodness; not with a fear of distrust of it, of which he had just had such a comfortable assurance; but with an awe of the greatness and glory of God, being conscious of his own unworthiness to receive such favours from him: and said, how dreadful is this place ! not terrible and horrible, being not like Mount Sinai, but like Sion; not as the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 28:18

And Jacob rose up early in the morning ,.... In order to proceed on his journey, being comfortably refreshed both in body and mind: but first he took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar ; not for a statue or an idol to be worshipped, but for a memorial of the mercy and goodness of God unto him, see Joshua 4:3 ; indeed, among the Heathens, stones, even rude and unpolished ones, were worshipped as gods; and this was the ancient custom among the... read more

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