Genesis 28:20

KJV

And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jacob {H3290} vowed {H5087} a vow {H5088}, saying {H559}, If God {H430} will be with me, and will keep me {H8104} in this way {H1870} that I go {H1980}, and will give {H5414} me bread {H3899} to eat {H398}, and raiment {H899} to put on {H3847},

Complete Jewish Bible

Ya'akov took this vow: "If God will be with me and will guard me on this road that I am traveling, giving me bread to eat and clothes to wear,

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, and if He will provide me with food to eat and clothes to wear,

American Standard Version

And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 28:20 records Jacob's conditional vow to God, made in the desolate wilderness after his profound dream at Bethel. Alone and vulnerable, Jacob responds to God's divine initiative by seeking explicit divine presence, protection, and provision—specifically bread and clothing—as he embarks on a perilous journey. This vow reveals a nascent faith, both dependent on and responsive to God's recently reiterated covenant promises, marking a pivotal moment in Jacob's developing relationship with the God of his fathers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jacob's vow in Genesis 28:20 is a direct and immediate response to the preceding divine encounter at Bethel. Having deceitfully secured the patriarchal blessing from his father Isaac, Jacob is now a fugitive, fleeing the wrath of his brother Esau (cf. [Genesis 27:41-45](/genesis/27-41-45 "Esau's hatred for Jacob")). His journey from Beersheba to Haran is one of isolation and uncertainty. The dream of the ladder connecting heaven and earth, with God speaking directly to him and reaffirming the Abrahamic covenant promises of land, innumerable descendants, and unwavering divine presence and protection (cf. [Genesis 28:13-15](/genesis/28-13-15 "God's promise to Jacob at Bethel")), profoundly impacts Jacob. His vow, therefore, is not an arbitrary act but a solemn, personal commitment made in the wake of a life-altering revelation, setting the stage for his subsequent experiences in Haran and his eventual return (cf. [Genesis 29](/genesis/29 "Jacob's arrival in Haran")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, vows were a significant aspect of religious and social life, representing a solemn promise made to a deity, often in exchange for a specific blessing or deliverance. Such vows were considered binding and carried serious implications if not fulfilled (cf. [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Laws concerning vows")). Jacob, as a solitary traveler in a dangerous land, would have been acutely aware of his vulnerability. His request for "bread to eat, and raiment to put on" reflects the fundamental necessities for survival in such an environment, where food and clothing were not guaranteed but were daily concerns. His vow, though conditional, demonstrates a culturally understood means of engaging with the divine, seeking assurance and provision from a God who had just revealed Himself in a powerful, personal way.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 28:20 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Genesis and biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Initiative and Human Response**, where God sovereignly initiates contact and makes promises, prompting a human, albeit imperfect, response from Jacob. The verse also highlights **Divine Providence and Provision**, emphasizing God's faithful care for the practical needs of His people, even in their vulnerability. Furthermore, it underscores the **Developing Nature of Faith**, as Jacob's faith, while real, is still conditional and self-interested, a stark contrast to the unwavering faith of his grandfather Abraham. This passage also touches on the **Solemnity of Vows** and the **Covenant Relationship**, as Jacob's vow is a personal engagement within the broader framework of God's covenant with his ancestors, a covenant reiterated to him personally in [Genesis 28:13-15](/genesis/28-13-15 "God's promise to Jacob at Bethel").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **vowed (Hebrew, _nâdar'_):** This primitive root (H5087) signifies "to promise (positively, to do or give something to God)." When paired with its cognate noun, as in "vowed a vow," it emphasizes the solemnity and binding nature of the commitment. Jacob's action here is a deliberate, voluntary, yet serious promise made directly to God, establishing a reciprocal expectation.
* **keep me (Hebrew, _shâmar'_):** The root (H8104) primarily means "to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard." More broadly, it encompasses protecting, attending to, observing, and preserving. Jacob's plea for God to "keep me" is a request for active, watchful safeguarding and preservation throughout his perilous journey, recognizing his need for divine protection against unseen dangers and uncertainties.
* **bread (Hebrew, _lechem'_):** This term (H3899) refers to food generally, but specifically to "bread" or "grain (for making it)." It represents the most basic and essential form of sustenance. Jacob's request for "bread to eat" highlights his immediate, fundamental need for daily provision, underscoring his complete dependence on God for even the most mundane necessities of life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jacob vowed a vow, saying":** This opening clause immediately establishes the solemnity of Jacob's declaration. The repetition of the root `nâdar` (vowed) and its cognate noun `neder` (vow) in Hebrew (`neder nadar`) emphasizes the gravity and binding nature of his commitment. This is a deliberate, conscious act of making a sacred promise to God.
* **"If God will be with me":** This is the first and foundational condition of Jacob's vow. He desires God's active, guiding presence, recognizing his vulnerability as a solitary traveler. This echoes God's prior promise in the dream: "I am with you and will keep you wherever you go" ([Genesis 28:15](/genesis/28-15 "God's promise to Jacob")). Jacob's "if" clause here is not a doubt, but rather a plea for the tangible manifestation of that promised presence.
* **"and will keep me in this way that I go":** This second condition builds on the first, specifying the nature of God's presence as protective. Jacob seeks divine safeguarding from the dangers of his journey, both known and unknown. The "way that I go" signifies his entire life's path and journey, acknowledging his need for constant divine oversight and preservation.
* **"and will give me bread to eat":** This condition shifts to the practical, daily needs for survival. "Bread" (Hebrew: `lechem`) represents the most basic form of sustenance. Jacob's request highlights his complete dependence on God for even the most fundamental provisions necessary to sustain life on his journey.
* **"and raiment to put on":** Complementing the request for food, this final condition addresses the need for clothing. "Raiment" (Hebrew: `beged`) signifies protective covering. Together, "bread to eat, and raiment to put on" form a **merism**, representing all the basic necessities for physical survival. Jacob is asking God to provide for his every essential need.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is the **Conditional Clause**, marked by the repeated "If God will..." (Hebrew: `im`). This structure reveals the nature of Jacob's faith at this point: it is responsive to God's initiative but still seeks tangible evidence of divine commitment before a full, reciprocal vow is made. This "if-then" structure sets up the subsequent verses where Jacob outlines his part of the bargain. Another device is **Merism**, seen in the phrase "bread to eat, and raiment to put on." By mentioning these two fundamental necessities, the text implies a request for all essential provisions for life and travel, encompassing comprehensive care. There is also a subtle **Contrast** or **Antithesis** between the grandeur of God's covenant promises (land, descendants, universal blessing) and the very basic, immediate needs Jacob articulates (food and clothing), highlighting the human perspective of faith that often begins with practical concerns before fully grasping the vastness of divine grace. Finally, the **Repetition** of the root `nâdar` in "vowed a vow" (Hebrew: `neder nadar`) serves as a **Cognate Accusative**, intensifying the action and emphasizing the solemnity and binding nature of Jacob's commitment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 28:20 profoundly illustrates the dynamic between God's sovereign initiative and human response, even an imperfect one. God had just unilaterally reaffirmed His covenant promises to Jacob, yet Jacob's immediate reaction is a conditional vow focused on his personal safety and basic needs. This does not diminish the vow's significance but rather highlights the nascent stage of Jacob's faith journey, where trust is still being forged through experience. The verse underscores God's meticulous care for His people, demonstrating that divine providence extends not only to grand covenant promises but also to the most mundane and essential aspects of daily life, such as food and clothing. It also reinforces the solemnity of promises made to God in ancient Israelite culture, even if initially conditional, setting the stage for Jacob's subsequent faithfulness (or lack thereof) in fulfilling his part of the vow.

* [Deuteronomy 23:21-23](/deuteronomy/23-21-23 "Laws concerning vows")
* [Matthew 6:31-33](/matthew/6-31-33 "Seek first the kingdom of God")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "God will supply all your needs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jacob's vow in Genesis 28:20 offers a powerful mirror for our own spiritual journeys. Like Jacob, we often find ourselves on uncertain paths, facing unknown futures, and feeling vulnerable. This passage invites us to bring our most basic, even seemingly mundane, needs and fears before God, trusting in His comprehensive providence. While Jacob's vow was conditional, it was nonetheless a direct engagement with the Living God who had just revealed Himself. This encourages us to move beyond passive acknowledgment of God's promises to an active, albeit imperfect, response of faith and dependence. How do we articulate our dependence on God for daily sustenance and protection? Are we honest with God about our fears and practical needs, or do we carry them alone? This passage challenges us to consider how our personal commitments and responses reflect our growing trust in God's unwavering presence and provision, even when our faith is still maturing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I, like Jacob, sometimes make my commitment to God conditional on His provision or protection?**
* **How does Jacob's request for "bread and raiment" speak to my own daily needs and my reliance on God for them?**
* **What specific "ways that I go" am I asking God to "keep me" in today, and how does that reflect my trust in His guidance?**
* **How can I move from a conditional faith to a more unwavering trust in God's promises, even when circumstances are uncertain?**

### FAQ
**Why is Jacob's vow conditional?**

Answer: Jacob's vow is conditional ("If God will be with me...") primarily because his faith is still in its formative stages. While he has just experienced a profound, direct encounter with God and heard explicit divine promises (cf. [Genesis 28:13-15](/genesis/28-13-15 "God's promise to Jacob at Bethel")), he is still a man on the run, feeling vulnerable, isolated, and uncertain about his future. His conditionality reflects a deep human need for tangible assurance of God's continuous presence, protection, and provision before he fully commits to the reciprocal terms of his vow (to make Bethel God's house and give a tenth). It's a practical, rather than fully mature, expression of trust, revealing a developing relationship where Jacob seeks confirmation of God's faithfulness before fully dedicating himself.

**What is the significance of Jacob asking for "bread to eat, and raiment to put on"?**

Answer: Jacob's request for "bread to eat, and raiment to put on" is profoundly significant because it highlights his immediate, fundamental, and universal human needs as a solitary traveler. These are the most basic necessities for survival in any context, particularly in the ancient wilderness. By asking for these specific items, Jacob acknowledges his complete and utter dependence on God for daily sustenance and protection. This underscores a crucial biblical truth: God cares not only about grand covenant promises and spiritual matters but also about the most practical and seemingly mundane aspects of human life. It demonstrates God's comprehensive providence, extending to every detail of His people's well-being, and invites believers to bring all their needs, great and small, before Him (cf. [Matthew 6:25-34](/matthew/6-25-34 "Do not worry")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jacob's conditional vow, made in response to God's promise of unwavering presence and provision, finds its ultimate and unconditional fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jacob sought God's "being with me" and the provision of "bread and raiment," foreshadowing Christ as **Emmanuel**, "God with us" (cf. [Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "The birth of Jesus")), who permanently bridges the gap between God and humanity. Jesus is the true and living **Bread of Life**, providing not merely physical sustenance but eternal spiritual nourishment that satisfies the deepest hunger (cf. [John 6:35](/john/6-35 "Jesus is the bread of life")). Furthermore, He offers the **garments of salvation** and the **robe of righteousness** (cf. [Isaiah 61:10](/isaiah/61-10 "Garments of salvation")), covering our spiritual nakedness and making us acceptable before God, a far greater provision than mere physical raiment. The very **ladder dream** that preceded Jacob's vow is explicitly linked to Christ by Jesus Himself as the ultimate mediator and connection between heaven and earth, upon whom angels ascend and descend (cf. [John 1:51](/john/1-51 "You will see angels ascending and descending")). Thus, all of God's promises of presence, protection, and comprehensive provision, which Jacob tentatively sought, are fully and perfectly realized in Christ, who is our all in all (cf. [Colossians 3:11](/colossians/3-11 "Christ is all, and is in all")).

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

1 Timothy 6:8

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

2 Samuel 15:8

For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.

Psalms 66:13

¶ I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,

Genesis 31:13

I [am] the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, [and] where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

John 1:16

And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Psalms 56:12

Thy vows [are] upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

Acts 18:18

¶ And Paul [after this] tarried [there] yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn [his] head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.