Genesis 28:5

5 So Isaac sent Jacob to Northwest Mesopotamia, to Laban the brother of Rebekah. Bethuel the Aramean was the father of Laban and Rebekah, and Rebekah was 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 Bunting's Travels, p. 72.

Genesis 28:5 In-Context

3 May God Almighty bless you and give you many children, and may you become a group of many peoples.

4 May he give you and your descendants the blessing of Abraham so that you may own the land where you are now living as a stranger, the land God gave to Abraham."

5 So Isaac sent Jacob to Northwest Mesopotamia, to Laban the brother of Rebekah. Bethuel the Aramean was the father of Laban and Rebekah, and Rebekah was the mother of Jacob and Esau.

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

7 and that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother and had gone to Northwest Mesopotamia.