Genesis 28:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:

Complete Jewish Bible:

so that I return to my father's house in peace, then ADONAI will be my God;

Berean Standard Bible:

so that I may return safely to my father’s house, then the LORD will be my God.

American Standard Version:

so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, and Jehovah will be my God,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

So that I come again^{H7725} to my father's^{H1} house^{H1004} in peace^{H7965}; then shall the LORD^{H3068} be my God^{H430}:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 28:21

Genesis 28:21 is part of a significant narrative in the life of Jacob, one of the patriarchs of the Israelite people. The verse captures a vow Jacob makes to God as he flees from his brother Esau, whom he has deceived out of his birthright and blessing.

**Themes:**
1. **Conditional Faith:** Jacob's vow is indicative of his conditional faith. He promises to accept the Lord as his God and to tithe to Him if God brings him back to his father's house in peace. This reflects a transactional approach to faith, common in the ancient world, where divine favor is often seen as something to be bargained for.

2. **Journey and Return:** The theme of journey and return is central to Jacob's story. His journey is both literal, as he travels to Haran, and metaphorical, as he grows in character and faith. The condition he sets for God's loyalty reflects his desire for a safe return, which is a recurring motif in biblical narratives.

3. **Divine Protection:** Jacob's request for a peaceful return home underscores the theme of divine protection. Despite his flaws, Jacob recognizes the need for God's favor and protection over his life, especially in a time of uncertainty and potential danger.

**Historical Context:**
The verse is set within the broader context of the patriarchal narratives in the Book of Genesis. During this period, the ancient Near East was characterized by complex family dynamics, nomadic lifestyles, and polytheistic religious practices. Jacob's vow reflects the religious syncretism of the time, where individuals might acknowledge various gods depending on their needs and circumstances.

Jacob's journey to Haran also occurs against the backdrop of family conflict. His deception of his father Isaac and the consequent threat from his brother Esau force him to leave his homeland. This event is part of the foundational story of the Israelite people, establishing the lineage that will lead to the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel.

In summary, Genesis 28:21 encapsulates Jacob's conditional promise to God, highlighting themes of faith, protection, and the significant journeys that transform individuals. It reflects the historical context of ancestral narratives and the religious practices of the ancient Near East, setting the stage for the unfolding story of Israel's patriarchs.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7725
   There are 952 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוּב
   Transliteration: shûwb
   Pronunciation: shoob
   Description: a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again; ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw.
   
2. 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-'.
   
3. 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).
   
4. Strong's Number: H7965
   There are 208 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלוֹם
   Transliteration: shâlôwm
   Pronunciation: shaw-lome'
   Description: or שָׁלֹם; from שָׁלַם; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace; [idiom] do, familiar, [idiom] fare, favour, [phrase] friend, [idiom] great, (good) health, ([idiom] perfect, such as be at) peace(-able, -ably), prosper(-ity, -ous), rest, safe(-ty), salute, welfare, ([idiom] all is, be) well, [idiom] wholly.
   
5. 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.
   
6. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.