King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew [it] not.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Ya'akov awoke from his sleep and said, "Truly, ADONAI is in this place - and I didn't know it!"
Berean Standard Bible:
When Jacob woke up, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was unaware of it.”
American Standard Version:
And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely Jehovah is in this place; and I knew it not.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Jacob{H3290} awaked{H3364} out of his sleep{H8142}, and he said{H559}, Surely{H403} the LORD{H3068} is{H3426} in this place{H4725}; and I knew{H3045} it not.
Cross-References (KJV):
Joshua 5:15
- And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy. And Joshua did so.
Exodus 15:11
- Who [is] like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who [is] like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful [in] praises, doing wonders?
Exodus 3:5
- And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy ground.
Job 33:14
- ¶ For God speaketh once, yea twice, [yet man] perceiveth it not.
Job 9:11
- Lo, he goeth by me, and I see [him] not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
Psalms 68:35
- O God, [thou art] terrible out of thy holy places: the God of Israel [is] he that giveth strength and power unto [his] people. Blessed [be] God.
Isaiah 8:13
- Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and [let] him [be] your fear, and [let] him [be] your dread.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 28:16
Genesis 28:16 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jacob, the grandson of Abraham and son of Isaac, who is a key patriarch in the Israelite tradition. The verse is part of the account known as Jacob's Ladder or Jacob's Dream. In this vision, Jacob sees a ladder or stairway reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it. The Lord stands above it and renews the covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac with Jacob, promising him land, offspring, and a blessing that will extend to all the families of the earth.
When Jacob awakes from his sleep, he is struck with a profound sense of divine presence and is filled with awe. He exclaims, "Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not." This realization underscores several themes: the omnipresence of God, the revelation of divine purpose, and the transformation of Jacob's understanding of his place in the world. Historically, this event is significant because it occurs at a place called Bethel, which subsequently becomes an important religious site in the Israelite tradition. Jacob's declaration reflects a personal encounter with the divine that transitions him from a life of deception to one of faith and obedience. It also prefigures the future sanctity of the location, as Bethel becomes a sanctuary where God's presence is acknowledged and worshipped.
In summary, Genesis 28:16 captures a moment of spiritual awakening for Jacob, highlighting the themes of divine encounter, covenant promise, and the sanctity of place. Jacob's recognition of God's presence in an unexpected location emphasizes the idea that sacred spaces can be found in the ordinary, and that God's plans may unfold in surprising ways. This verse is a cornerstone in the biblical narrative, marking a turning point in Jacob's life and the broader history of the Israelite people.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3290
There are 319 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יַעֲקֹב
Transliteration: Yaʻăqôb
Pronunciation: yah-ak-obe'
Description: from עָקַב; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch; Jacob. - Strong's Number: H3364
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָקַץ
Transliteration: yâqats
Pronunciation: yaw-kats'
Description: a primitive root; to awake (intransitive); (be) awake(-d). - Strong's Number: H8142
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁנָה
Transliteration: shênâh
Pronunciation: shay-naw'
Description: or שֵׁנָא; (Psalm 127:2), from יָשֵׁן; sleep; sleep. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H403
There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכֵן
Transliteration: ʼâkên
Pronunciation: aw-kane'
Description: from כּוּן (compare כֵּן); firmly; figuratively, surely; also (advers.) but; but, certainly, nevertheless, surely, truly, verily. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H3426
There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יֵשׁ
Transliteration: yêsh
Pronunciation: yaysh
Description: perhaps from an unused root meaning to stand out, or exist; entity; used adverbially or as a copula for the substantive verb (הָיָה); there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection); (there) are, (he, it, shall, there, there may, there shall, there should) be, thou do, had, hast, (which) hath, (I, shalt, that) have, (he, it, there) is, substance, it (there) was, (there) were, ye will, thou wilt, wouldest. - Strong's Number: H4725
There are 379 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מָקוֹם
Transliteration: mâqôwm
Pronunciation: maw-kome'
Description: or מָקֹם; also (feminine) מְקוֹמָה; or מְקֹמָה; from קוּם; properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind); country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever). - Strong's Number: H3045
There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָדַע
Transliteration: yâdaʻ
Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.