Genesis 28:20

20 Then Jacob made a vow: "If God will be with me and will watch over me on my trip and give me food to eat and clothes to wear,

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 Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had put under his head. He set it up as a marker and poured olive oil on top of it.

19 He named that place Bethel [House of God]. Previously, the name of the city was Luz.

20 Then Jacob made a vow: "If God will be with me and will watch over me on my trip and give me food to eat and clothes to wear,

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

22 This stone that I have set up as a marker will be the house of God, and I will surely give you a tenth of everything you give me."