Genesis 28:13

Translations

Modern

And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie.

Traditional

And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;

Literal

And behold, YHWH was standing above it and said, “I am YHWH, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you are lying—to you I will give it, and to your seed.

Latin

…et Dominum innixum scalæ dicentem sibi: Ego sum Dominus Deus Abraham patris tui, et Deus Isaac: terram, in qua dormis, tibi dabo et semini tuo.

Original

Hebrew

English

And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie.

Notes

Genesis 28:12–13

ladder: This word occurs nowhere else in Scripture. The image may have reminded people at that time of a stairway or ramp on the front of a ziggurat (a large temple tower in ancient Mesopotamia). Such a structure was thought to connect heaven and earth (see study note on 11:4).
In this passage, God begins direct communication between heaven and earth to guide and protect Jacob, who carries his covenant (28:13–15; see Psalm 91:11–15).
Jesus later said that he himself is the way between heaven and earth (John 1:51).

Genesis 28:12–15

The vision showed that God and his angels were with Jacob on his journey. God reminded Jacob of the promises made to Abraham and Isaac. He promised Jacob land, descendants as numerous as dust (compare 13:16; 22:17), and blessings for all people through him (compare 12:2–3; 15:5, 18; 17:3–8; 22:15–18; 35:11–12). God also promised to be with Jacob and protect him until he returned.

Genesis 28:10–22

Even though Jacob used deceptive methods to get the blessing, God promised to protect and provide for him. The God of Abraham and Isaac was also the God of Jacob. This revelation greatly changed Jacob's perspective and brought faith into clearer focus.

Theme notes and profiles

Arameans Jacob Security and Obedience Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Genesis 13:15
…for all the land that you see, I will give to you and your offspring forever.
Genesis 35:12
The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.”
Genesis 48:3
Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there He blessed me
Genesis 26:24
…and that night the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for the sake of My servant Abraham.”
Genesis 35:1
Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.”
Genesis 12:7
Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
Exodus 3:6
Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Genesis 46:3
“I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.
Hebrews 11:16
Instead, they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Matthew 22:32
‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”
Genesis 31:42
If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, surely by now you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, and last night He rendered judgment.”
Genesis 35:17
During her severe labor, the midwife said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you are having another son.”

People

Abraham: Patriarch, chosen by God to father His people Isaac: Son of Abraham; father of Jacob and Esau

Glossary

Bethel (Place), Bethelite Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Conquest and Allotment of the Land Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of History of Israel Host, Host of Heaven Jacob Jacob’s Ladder Jeroboam Nathanael Patriarchs, Period of the Sleep

Topics

Anthropomorphisms: Miscellaneous Figures Beth-El: A City North of Jerusalem: The Place where Jacob Saw the Vision of the Ladder Communion: Isaac, in Dreams Covenant: Jacob Gates: (Of Heaven) Access to God Holy Land: Promised to Jacob Jacob: God Confirms the Covenant of Abraham To Jacob: His Vision of the Ladder Jacob: Prophecies Concerning Himself and his Descendants Religion: Outstanding Religious Persons: Jacob The Covenant: Made With: Jacob The Jews: Promises Respecting Made to Jacob

Genesis 28:13

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