Genesis 28:15-22

15 Remember, I will be with you and protect you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done all that I have promised you."

16 Jacob woke up and said, "The Lord is here! He is in this place, and I didn't know it!"

17 He was afraid and said, "What a terrifying place this is! It must be the house of God; it must be the gate that opens into heaven."

18 Jacob got up early next morning, took the stone that was under his head, and set it up as a memorial. Then he poured olive oil on it to dedicate it to God.

19 He named the place Bethel. (The town there was once known as Luz.)

20 Then Jacob made a vow to the Lord: "If you will be with me and protect me on the journey I am making and give me food and clothing,

21 and if I return safely to my father's home, then you will be my God.

22 This memorial stone which I have set up will be the place where you are worshiped, and I will give you a tenth of everything you give me."

Genesis 28:15-22 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 28

In this chapter an account is given of the charge Isaac gave to Jacob not to marry a Canaanitess, but to go to Padanaram, and take a wife from his mother's family, and of his blessing him before he sent him away, Ge 28:1-5; of the notice that Esau took of this blessing and charge, which led him to take a wife of the family of Ishmael, Ge 28:6-9; of the dream of the ladder, which Jacob had in his way to Haran, Ge 28:10-12; of the blessing which God conferred upon him there, Ge 28:13-15; of the awfulness of the place upon his awaking, and of his erecting a pillar in it, and giving a name to it, Ge 28:16-19; and of the vow he made to God, should he be supplied with the necessaries of life, and be kept in safety by him, Ge 28:20-22.

Footnotes

• [a] bethel: [This name in Hebrew means "house of God."]