Genesis 28:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 28:2 records Isaac's definitive instruction to Jacob, commanding him to journey to Padanaram, specifically to the household of his maternal grandfather Bethuel and his uncle Laban, for the express purpose of securing a wife from among his kin. This directive is a crucial moment in the patriarchal narrative, designed to safeguard the integrity of the Abrahamic covenant lineage and to underscore the profound importance of parental authority and wise counsel in pivotal life decisions, particularly marriage, as Jacob embarks on a perilous flight from his brother Esau.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Isaac's blessing of Jacob, a blessing obtained through deception, and Rebekah's urgent counsel for Jacob to flee from Esau's murderous wrath. [Genesis 27](/genesis/27 "Jacob Deceives Isaac and Receives the Blessing") details the intricate web of family dynamics leading to this point. Isaac's command in [Genesis 28:1](/genesis/28-1 "Isaac Blesses Jacob and Sends Him Away") sets the stage, where he blesses Jacob and explicitly forbids him from marrying a Canaanite woman, reinforcing the covenantal purity. Verse 2 then specifies the destination and the purpose of the journey, intertwining the practical necessity of escape with the spiritual imperative of a proper marriage. This instruction also echoes the earlier narrative of [Abraham sending his servant to find a wife for Isaac](/genesis/24 "Abraham Seeks a Wife for Isaac for Isaac") from their own people, demonstrating a consistent patriarchal concern for lineage.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, marriage was rarely a purely individual choice; it was a communal and familial affair, particularly for prominent families. Marrying within one's kin (endogamy) was a common practice, serving multiple purposes: preserving family wealth and property, maintaining social status, and, crucially for the patriarchs, safeguarding ethnic and religious identity. The Canaanites, with their polytheistic and often immoral practices, posed a significant spiritual threat to the nascent covenant community. Esau's earlier marriages to Hittite women, which were "a grief of mind to Isaac and to Rebekah" ([Genesis 26:35](/genesis/26-35 "Esau's Hittite Wives Cause Grief")), highlighted the dangers of exogamy. Padanaram, or Paddan-Aram, located in Mesopotamia, was the ancestral homeland of Rebekah, making it the natural place to seek a suitable, non-Canaanite spouse.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 28:2 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis. The primary theme is the **preservation of the Abrahamic covenant lineage**, emphasizing the distinctness of God's chosen people and the importance of maintaining spiritual purity through marriage. This verse also highlights **parental authority and guidance** in major life decisions, showcasing Isaac and Rebekah's unified concern for Jacob's future and the covenant's continuation. Furthermore, it subtly underscores **divine providence**, as even amid human deception and family strife, God's plan for Jacob to be the heir of the covenant is advanced through this specific directive. The journey itself also foreshadows Jacob's **pilgrimage and transformation**, a recurring motif in his life.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 28:2 is a concise yet profoundly significant command from Isaac to Jacob, outlining the immediate next steps in Jacob's life, which are deeply intertwined with the future of the Abrahamic covenant.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Arise (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** This imperative verb (H6965) signifies not merely to stand up, but to "rise up" with purpose, to "get up" and begin a significant action or journey. In this context, it conveys urgency and the initiation of a momentous undertaking, marking a decisive turning point in Jacob's life. It implies a call to action, a departure from the current situation.
* **take (Hebrew, _lâqach'_):** The verb (H3947) means "to take" in a broad sense, including to acquire, to fetch, or to receive. Here, it specifically refers to the act of acquiring a wife, emphasizing the active role Jacob is to play in securing his spouse from his kin, a process that would involve negotiation and agreement within the family structure. This "taking" is not forceful but a formal acquisition within established cultural norms.
* **daughters (Hebrew, _bath'_):** This feminine noun (H1323) refers to female offspring. In this context, "daughters of Laban" specifies the pool of potential wives for Jacob. The use of "daughters" rather than a singular "daughter" implies that Laban had multiple eligible female children, allowing for a choice (though the narrative will show it was not entirely Jacob's choice). This term reinforces the familial connection and the specific lineage from which Jacob is to marry.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Arise, go to Padanaram,"**: This is Isaac's immediate and urgent command, initiating Jacob's journey. "Arise" (קוּם, _qûwm_) implies a decisive and purposeful departure, while "go" (הָלַךְ, _yâlak_) directs his movement. Padanaram (פַּדָּן אֲרָם, _Paddân ʼĂrâm_) is identified as the destination, a region in Mesopotamia, the ancestral home of Rebekah's family. This geographical specification underscores the deliberate nature of the journey and its connection to his mother's kin.
* **"to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father;"**: This clause further refines the destination, pinpointing the specific household within Padanaram. Bethuel (בְּתוּאֵל, _Bᵉthûwʼêl_) is identified as Jacob's maternal grandfather, making the destination a family residence. This detail highlights the importance of familial ties and the expectation of hospitality and support from his mother's side of the family.
* **"and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother."**: This final clause states the explicit purpose of the journey: to secure a wife. The instruction specifies that the wife must come "from thence," meaning from Padanaram, and more precisely, from "the daughters of Laban" (לָבָן, _Lâbân_), who is identified as Jacob's maternal uncle. This ensures that Jacob marries within his extended family, preserving the purity of the covenant lineage and avoiding marriage to Canaanite women, a concern that had previously caused distress to Isaac and Rebekah.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its urgency and significance. The primary device is **Command/Imperative**, as Isaac issues direct, forceful instructions ("Arise, go," "take"). This highlights his patriarchal authority and the non-negotiable nature of the directive. There is also a subtle use of **Repetition** through the emphasis on familial relationships: "mother's father" and "mother's brother." This reiteration underscores the importance of kinship and the specific lineage from which Jacob is to marry, reinforcing the theme of covenant preservation. Furthermore, the journey to Padanaram carries **Symbolism**; it is not merely a physical escape but a symbolic pilgrimage to secure the future of the covenant, marking a transition from Jacob's deceptive past to his future as the patriarch through whom God's promises will be fulfilled.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 28:2 profoundly illustrates the intricate interplay between human decisions and divine sovereignty in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. While Isaac's command is a human directive, it aligns perfectly with God's overarching purpose to establish His covenant through a distinct and pure lineage. The emphasis on endogamous marriage for Jacob, contrasting sharply with Esau's choices, underscores the biblical principle of separation for God's chosen people, a separation not merely ethnic but spiritual, designed to preserve the integrity of the lineage through whom the Messiah would eventually come. This passage reveals that marriage, especially for the patriarchs, was not just a personal union but a foundational act for the continuation of the covenant, directly impacting the spiritual trajectory of future generations and the fulfillment of God’s promises.

* [Genesis 24:3-4](/genesis/24-3-4 "Abraham's Oath Regarding Isaac's Wife")
* [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3-4 "Warning Against Intermarriage with Canaanites")
* [2 Corinthians 6:14](/2_corinthians/6-14 "Do Not Be Unequally Yoked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 28:2 offers enduring wisdom for believers today, particularly concerning the intentionality and wisdom required in life's most significant decisions, especially marriage. It powerfully illustrates the profound impact a spouse has on one's spiritual heritage, family legacy, and the potential for God's purposes to unfold through one's life. While modern marital customs differ from the patriarchal arranged marriages, the underlying principles remain vitally relevant: the importance of seeking wise counsel from trusted spiritual mentors and family, and, most importantly, diligent prayer and guidance from God, when choosing a life partner. Jacob’s journey, though initiated by flight from Esau, was simultaneously an act of obedience that positioned him to receive God’s continued blessings and contribute to the unfolding of the Abrahamic covenant, reminding us that obedience, even in difficult circumstances, often leads to divine favor and the fulfillment of God's plans for our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on Jacob marrying within his family challenge or affirm your understanding of spiritual compatibility in marriage today?**
* **In what ways do you seek wise counsel, from both human mentors and God, when making significant life decisions?**
* **How might the concept of preserving a "spiritual heritage" influence your choices and priorities for your family or future generations?**
* **What does Jacob's obedience in this difficult circumstance teach us about trusting God's plan even when our path is uncertain?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important for Jacob to marry within his family?**

Answer: It was critically important for Jacob to marry within his family to preserve the purity and distinctness of the Abrahamic covenant lineage. God had chosen Abraham's descendants to be a unique people through whom His promises, including the coming Messiah, would be fulfilled. Marrying outside this kin, particularly with the idolatrous Canaanites, risked spiritual assimilation, the adoption of foreign gods, and the dilution of the covenant identity. This concern is explicitly seen in [Genesis 26:34-35](/genesis/26-34-35 "Esau's Wives Cause Grief"), where Esau's marriages to Hittite women caused "grief of mind" to his parents, Isaac and Rebekah, highlighting the negative spiritual consequences of such unions.

**Does this passage advocate for arranged marriages in contemporary society?**

Answer: While [Genesis 28:2](/genesis/28-2 "Isaac's Command to Jacob to Marry within His Kin") describes an arranged marriage within a specific cultural and covenantal context of the ancient Near East, it does not mandate arranged marriages for all believers today. Instead, it highlights timeless principles that transcend cultural methods of spouse selection. The passage underscores the importance of parental wisdom, seeking God's guidance in significant life decisions like marriage, and choosing a spouse who shares one's core spiritual beliefs and values. The emphasis is on the *purpose*—preserving a unified spiritual heritage and honoring God's design for marriage—rather than the *method* of spouse selection. For believers today, the principle of being "unequally yoked" ([2 Corinthians 6:14](/2_corinthians/6-14 "Do Not Be Unequally Yoked with Unbelievers")) remains paramount.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 28:2, with its meticulous focus on preserving the covenant lineage through a divinely guided marriage, ultimately serves as a powerful foreshadowing of God's faithfulness in preparing the way for the ultimate "seed" of Abraham—Jesus Christ. Jacob’s journey to secure a wife from his own kin was a vital, providential step in maintaining the pure, distinct genealogical line through which the Messiah would eventually be born. The careful attention given to this marriage underscores God's sovereign oversight of the entire redemptive history, ensuring that the promised deliverer would come through the chosen lineage. Christ, as the true heir of the Abrahamic covenant, fulfills all its promises, not merely for one family or nation, but for all who believe, bringing spiritual blessings and eternal life through His atoning work on the cross ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "The Seed is Christ") and [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Heirs According to the Promise")). He is the one who ultimately takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")) and establishes a new covenant, making all who are in Him children of God, regardless of their earthly lineage ([John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "Children of God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.