Genesis 28:20

20 vovit etiam votum dicens si fuerit Deus mecum et custodierit me in via per quam ambulo et dederit mihi panem ad vescendum et vestem ad induendum

Genesis 28:20 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 28:20

And Jacob vowed a vow
Which is the first vow we read of in Scripture: saying, if God will be with me;
the word if is not a sign of doubting, but is either an adverb of time, and may be rendered, "when God shall be with me" F20; or as a supposition, expressive of an inference or conclusion drawn, "seeing God will be with me" F21; which he had the utmost reason to believe he would, since he had not only promised it, but had so lately granted him his presence in a very singular and remarkable manner, referring to the promise of God, ( Genesis 28:15 ) : and will keep me in this way that I go;
as he had said he would, and as hitherto he had, and for the future he had reason to believe he still would: and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on;
which is included in that clause, "I will not leave thee" ( Genesis 28:15 ) , even not without food and raiment; which is all men can desire or use, and therefore with them should be content.


FOOTNOTES:

F20 (Ma) "quum", Junius & Tremellius; so Ainsworth.
F21 Quandoquidem, Tigurine version.

Genesis 28:20 In-Context

18 surgens ergo mane tulit lapidem quem subposuerat capiti suo et erexit in titulum fundens oleum desuper
19 appellavitque nomen urbis Bethel quae prius Luza vocabatur
20 vovit etiam votum dicens si fuerit Deus mecum et custodierit me in via per quam ambulo et dederit mihi panem ad vescendum et vestem ad induendum
21 reversusque fuero prospere ad domum patris mei erit mihi Dominus in Deum
22 et lapis iste quem erexi in titulum vocabitur Domus Dei cunctorumque quae dederis mihi decimas offeram tibi
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.