King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Go now to the home of B'tu'el your mother's father, and choose a wife there from the daughters of Lavan your mother's brother.
Berean Standard Bible:
“Go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your mother’s father Bethuel, and take a wife from among the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother.
American Standard Version:
Arise, go to Paddan-aram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother’s father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother’s brother.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Arise{H6965}, go{H3212} to Padanaram{H6307}, to the house{H1004} of Bethuel{H1328} thy mother's{H517} father{H1}; and take{H3947} thee a wife{H802} from thence of the daughters{H1323} of Laban{H3837} thy mother's{H517} brother{H251}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 25:20
- And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
Hosea 12:12
- And Jacob fled into the country of Syria, and Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept [sheep].
Genesis 35:9
- And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.
Genesis 24:29
- ¶ And Rebekah had a brother, and his name [was] Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
Genesis 24:10
- ¶ And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master [were] in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
Genesis 22:20
- ¶ And it came to pass after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, Behold, Milcah, she hath also born children unto thy brother Nahor;
Genesis 22:23
- And Bethuel begat Rebekah: these eight Milcah did bear to Nahor, Abraham's brother.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 28:2
Genesis 28:2 is part of the narrative involving Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah. The verse is set within the broader context of the patriarchal narratives in the Book of Genesis, which detail the lives and journeys of the ancestors of the Israelite people.
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Promise and Guidance:** The command for Jacob to go to Padanaram (also known as Aram-Naharaim) is part of the unfolding story of God's promise to Abraham, which includes the multiplication of his descendants and their possession of the land of Canaan. Despite the deceitful actions of Jacob in obtaining his father's blessing, God's plan continues to move forward.
2. **Family Dynamics and Betrothal:** The theme of family relations is central, as Jacob is instructed to seek a wife from among his mother's kin, thus keeping the marriage within the family circle. This was a common practice in the ancient Near East, aimed at maintaining tribal unity and inheritance rights.
3. **Journey and Pilgrimage:** Jacob's journey to Padanaram marks a significant transition in his life. It is both a physical journey to a distant land and a spiritual pilgrimage that will lead to personal growth, encounters with God, and the establishment of his own family.
**Historical Context:**
1. **Patriarchal Era:** The events described in Genesis, including Jacob's journey, are traditionally placed within the early 2nd millennium BCE, during the Patriarchal age. This period is characterized by nomadic lifestyles, with families moving to find pasture for their flocks and sometimes entering into alliances through marriage.
2. **Cultural Practices:** The instruction for Jacob to marry within his mother's family reflects the endogamous marriage practices of the time, which were intended to strengthen family ties and ensure the preservation of wealth and inheritance within the clan.
3. **Geographical Setting:** Padanaram, located in the region of Mesopotamia, was an important cultural and trade center. The journey there from Canaan would have been long and arduous, highlighting the significance of Jacob's quest for a wife and his need to establish his own household away from the potential threats posed by his brother Esau.
In summary, Genesis 28:2 encapsulates themes of divine guidance, family relationships, and life transitions, set against the backdrop of the patriarchal era's social customs and geographical realities. Jacob's journey initiated by this verse will lead to pivotal events that shape his character and the future nation of Israel.
*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: H6965
There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוּם
Transliteration: qûwm
Pronunciation: koom
Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). - Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - Strong's Number: H6307
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פַּדָּן
Transliteration: Paddân
Pronunciation: pad-dawn'
Description: from an unused root meaning to extend; a plateau; or פַּדַּן אֲרָם; from the same and אֲרָם; the table-land of Aram; Paddan or Paddan-Aram, a region of Syria; Padan, Padan-aram. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H1328
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּתוּאֵל
Transliteration: Bᵉthûwʼêl
Pronunciation: beth-oo-ale'
Description: apparently from the same as בָּתָה and אֵל; destroyed of God; Bethuel, the name of a nephew of Abraham, and of a place in Palestine; Bethuel. Compare בְּתוּל. - Strong's Number: H517
There are 387 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵם
Transliteration: ʼêm
Pronunciation: ame
Description: a primitive word; a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like father)); dam, mother, [idiom] parting. - Strong's Number: H1
There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָב
Transliteration: ʼâb
Pronunciation: awb
Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. - Strong's Number: H3947
There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָקַח
Transliteration: lâqach
Pronunciation: law-kakh'
Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. - Strong's Number: H802
There are 729 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִשָּׁה
Transliteration: ʼishshâh
Pronunciation: ish-shaw'
Description: feminine of אִישׁ or אֱנוֹשׁ; irregular plural, נָשִׁים;(used in the same wide sense as אֱנוֹשׁ); a woman; (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. - Strong's Number: H1323
There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּת
Transliteration: bath
Pronunciation: bath
Description: from בָּנָה (as feminine of בֵּן); a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively); apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. - Strong's Number: H3837
There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָבָן
Transliteration: Lâbân
Pronunciation: law-bawn'
Description: the same as לָבָן; Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert; Laban. - Strong's Number: H251
There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָח
Transliteration: ʼâch
Pronunciation: awkh
Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.