Genesis 28:5

5 Isaac sent Jacob away to Mesopotamia, to Laban, who was the son of Bethuel the Aramean and the brother of Rebecca, the mother of Jacob and Esau.

Genesis 28:5 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 28:5

And Isaac sent away Jacob
From Beersheba; not in anger, or in a dishonourable way, but took his leave of him no doubt in an affectionate manner; as it is clear he went with his blessing, and had his good wishes for a prosperous journey: and he went to Padanaram;
which from Beersheba, according to some ^F8, was four hundred and eighty miles: unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian;
some versions make Laban to be the Syrian, others Bethuel; it is a matter of no great moment which is here so called, since they were both called Syrians, see ( Genesis 25:20 ) : the brother of Rebekah;
this refers to Laban, for Bethuel was her father: Jacob's and Esau's mother;
Jacob is set first, not only as being most beloved by his mother, but as now having the birthright and the blessing.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F8 Bunting's Travels, p. 72.

Genesis 28:5 In-Context

3 May Almighty God bless your marriage and give you many children, so that you will become the father of many nations!

4 May he bless you and your descendants as he blessed Abraham, and may you take possession of this land, in which you have lived and which God gave to Abraham!"

5 Isaac sent Jacob away to Mesopotamia, to Laban, who was the son of Bethuel the Aramean and the brother of Rebecca, the mother of Jacob and Esau.

6 Esau learned that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him away to Mesopotamia to find a wife. He also learned that when Isaac blessed him, he commanded him not to marry a Canaanite woman.

7 He found out that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother and had gone to Mesopotamia.