Genesis 28:16-17

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 28:10-17

The "ladder" (Genesis 28:12, Heb. sullam) evidently resembled a stairway or ramp. Some interpreters take it as an allusion to a ziggurat while others believe it refers to the slope or ascent of the mountain of Bethel. [Note: See C. Houtman, "What Did Jacob See In His Dream At Bethel?" Vetus Testamentum 27:3 (July 1977):337-51.] "The ladder was a visible symbol of the real and uninterrupted fellowship between God in heaven and His people upon earth. The angels upon it carry up the wants of men... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 28:10-22

6. Jacob’s vision at Bethel 28:10-22"From a ’stone pillow’ to a ’stone pillar,’ this account tells how Jacob’s lodging place at Bethel became the most celebrated place of worship among the patriarchal narratives." [Note: Mathews, Genesis 11:27-50:26, p. 442.] Yahweh appeared at the top of an angel-filled stairway restating the promise to Abraham and adding more promises of blessing and protection for Jacob. The patriarch acknowledged God’s presence, memorialized the place with a monument stone... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 28:1-22

Jacob Departs for Padan-aram. His Dream at Bethel1-4. Isaac bids Jacob seek one of the daughters of his uncle Laban in marriage, and assures him that the blessings and promises bestowed on Abraham should fall to him as heir.6-9. Esau’s marriage, though well meant, was only a union with the seed of the Egyptian bondservant, and therefore not one of the pure Hebrew race.10. After journeying for some days, Jacob reaches the district in the mountains of Ephraim, where Abraham had rested, when... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 28:1-22

THE TÔLDÔTH ISAAC (Genesis 25:19 to Genesis 35:29). THE BIRTH OF ISAAC’S SONS.Abraham begat Isaac—The Tôldôth in its original form gave probably a complete genealogy of Isaac, tracing up his descent to Shem, and showing thereby that the right of primogeniture belonged to him; but the inspired historian uses only so much of this as is necessary for tracing the development of the Divine plan of human redemption.The Syrian.—Really, the Aramean, or descendant of Aram. (See Genesis 10:22-23.) The... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 28:16

(16) Surely the Lord (Jehovah) is in this place.—Jacob was not unaware of the omnipresence of the Deity: what astonished him was that Jehovah should thus reveal Himself far away from the shrines where He was worshipped. Rebekah had gone to one of these to inquire of Jehovah (Genesis 25:22), and probably to a shrine in the very neighbourhood of the place where Jacob was sleeping (Genesis 12:8). But first Abraham, and then Isaac, had for so long made Beer-sheba their home, that Jacob probably... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 28:17

(17) How dreadful.—The manifestation of God must always inspire awe and dread, but not fear: for where He reveals Himself, there is “the gate of heaven”—the appointed entrance for prayer now, and for admission to the glorified life hereafter. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 28:1-22

Dreams Genesis 28:0 This dream deals with the supernatural, though in one sense all life is supernatural. And what happened to Jacob occurs again and again in your life and mine. I. Jacob has deceived his father and defrauded his brother: he has fled his home. As he journeyed forward he came to the lonely and rugged hill of Bethel. The darkness overtakes him as he ascends, creeps like a shadowy ghost over him, and then covers with its deep shadow the whole of the mountain from base to summit;... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 28:1-22

6JACOB’S FLIGHT AND DREAMGenesis 27:41 - Genesis 28:1-22"So foolish was I and ignorant: I was as a beast before Thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee."- Psalms 73:22IT is so commonly observed as to be scarcely worth again remarking, that persons who employ a great deal of craft in the management of their affairs are invariably entrapped in their own net. Life is so complicated, and every matter of conduct has so many issues, that no human brain can possibly foresee every contingency.... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 28:1-22

CHAPTER 28 Jacob’s Departure to Padan-Aram and His Vision 1. Isaac sends Jacob away and gives his blessing (Genesis 28:1-5 ) 2. Esau’s action (Genesis 28:6-9 ) 3. Jacob’s vision and vow (Genesis 28:10-22 ) We enter with this upon the interesting wanderings of the third patriarch, Jacob. God was pleased to reveal Himself to the three illustrious men, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as He did not before. In Exodus 3:4-15 Jehovah reveals Himself to Moses and Jehovah calls Himself “the God of... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Genesis 28:17

28:17 And he was {f} afraid, and said, How dreadful [is] this place! this [is] none other but the house of God, and this [is] the gate of heaven.(f) He was touched with a godly fear and reverence. read more

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