Genesis 28:3

KJV

And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;

KJV (with Strong's)

And God {H410} Almighty {H7706} bless {H1288} thee, and make thee fruitful {H6509}, and multiply {H7235} thee, that thou mayest be a multitude {H6951} of people {H5971};

Complete Jewish Bible

May El Shaddai bless you, make you fruitful and increase your descendants, until they become a whole assembly of peoples.

Berean Standard Bible

May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, so that you may become a company of peoples.

American Standard Version

And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a company of peoples;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In a pivotal moment of generational transition, Genesis 28:3 records Isaac's profound blessing upon his son Jacob, invoking the powerful name of "God Almighty" (*El Shaddai*). This blessing, bestowed as Jacob embarks on a journey of uncertainty to Haran, is a solemn transmission of the core Abrahamic covenant promises, specifically emphasizing divine provision for an abundant lineage and the multiplication of his descendants into a vast "multitude of people." It serves as a foundational declaration, ensuring the continuity of God's redemptive plan through Jacob and setting the trajectory for the formation of the nation of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 28:3 is situated at a critical juncture in the patriarchal narrative, immediately following Jacob's deception of Isaac to secure the blessing intended for Esau and his subsequent flight from Esau's murderous wrath. Isaac, now aware of the deception but affirming the blessing's divine origin, reiterates and expands upon the covenant promises as Jacob prepares to depart for Paddan-Aram to find a wife, as instructed by Rebekah and Isaac (cf. [Genesis 28:1-2](/genesis/28-1-2 "Isaac's Charge to Jacob")). This blessing is not merely a paternal farewell but a formal, divinely sanctioned transference of the Abrahamic covenant, underscoring its continuity and the specific focus on Jacob as the chosen heir through whom God's promises of land, seed, and blessing to all nations would continue. It sets the stage for Jacob's transformative encounters with God and the subsequent development of the twelve tribes of Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, a father's blessing was a deeply significant and legally binding act, often carrying spiritual authority and determining the destiny of the recipient, especially within a patriarchal society. The concept of "fruitfulness" and "multiplication" was paramount, reflecting the value placed on large families for strength, security, and the continuation of the family line and tribal identity. Jacob's journey to Haran, the ancestral home of Abraham (cf. [Genesis 11:31](/genesis/11-31 "Terah and Abram's journey to Haran")), was a common practice for finding a suitable spouse within one's kin group, ensuring cultural and religious continuity. The invocation of "God Almighty" (*El Shaddai*) was a profound theological statement, emphasizing God's omnipotence and sufficiency to fulfill His promises, particularly those related to fertility and sustenance, which were vital for survival and prosperity in an agrarian society.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Covenant Continuity** of God's promises, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness as the Abrahamic covenant passes from Abraham to Isaac, and now to Jacob (cf. [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Call to Abram")). Secondly, the emphasis on "fruitfulness" and "multiplication" underscores the theme of **Divine Promise of Progeny**, essential for the formation of the nation of Israel and the ultimate lineage of the Messiah. Thirdly, Isaac's invocation of *El Shaddai* reinforces the theme of **God's Sovereignty and Sufficiency**, assuring Jacob that despite his precarious circumstances, the Almighty God is fully capable of bringing His declared purposes to fruition. Finally, it exemplifies the **Generational Blessing**, illustrating how spiritual heritage and divine favor are transmitted through faithful lineage, setting the stage for Jacob's transformation into Israel and the birth of the twelve tribes (cf. [Genesis 35:10-11](/genesis/35-10-11 "God Renames Jacob to Israel")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼêl'_):** This word, often shortened from *ayil* (strength), signifies strength and might. It refers to the Almighty God, but can also denote any deity. In this context, it emphasizes the powerful, sovereign nature of the one true God who is capable of fulfilling His promises.
* **Almighty (Hebrew, _Shadday'_):** Derived from *shadad* (to be strong, to deal violently), this name for God, *El Shaddai*, conveys the idea of God's absolute power, overwhelming might, and self-sufficiency. It suggests a God who is able to overpower all obstacles and provide abundantly, particularly in connection with fruitfulness and sustenance, making Him completely capable of fulfilling the promise of a multitude of people.
* **bless (Hebrew, _bârak'_):** A primitive root meaning "to kneel," by implication, "to bless." It encompasses acts of adoration towards God and conferring benefit upon man. In this context, it signifies Isaac's authoritative invocation of divine favor and prosperity upon Jacob, specifically related to his future descendants.
* **fruitful (Hebrew, _pârâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to bear fruit," either literally or figuratively. It denotes the capacity for prolific reproduction and growth. Here, it refers to Jacob's ability to produce many offspring, a direct fulfillment of the covenant promise.
* **multiply (Hebrew, _râbâh'_):** A primitive root meaning "to increase" in any respect. It implies abundance, growth, and becoming numerous. Paired with "fruitful," it emphasizes the exponential growth of Jacob's descendants, leading to a vast population.
* **multitude (Hebrew, _qâhâl'_):** From *qâhal* (to assemble), this noun refers to an assemblage, company, congregation, or multitude. It specifically points to the formation of a large, organized body of people, signifying the emergence of a nation from Jacob's lineage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And God Almighty bless thee,"**: Isaac, acting as the patriarchal head, invokes the omnipotent and all-sufficient God (*El Shaddai*) to bestow His divine favor upon Jacob. This is not merely a wish but a powerful, authoritative declaration of blessing, signifying the transfer of divine promise and spiritual heritage from Isaac to Jacob. It sets the foundation for all that follows, affirming God's power to bring about the promised fruitfulness.
* **"and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee,"**: This clause specifies the nature of the blessing: prolific reproduction and exponential growth. The pairing of "fruitful" (*pârâh*) and "multiply" (*râbâh*) is a recurring covenantal promise in Genesis, emphasizing the divine intention for Jacob's lineage to become exceedingly numerous. It underscores God's active role in enabling and accelerating the growth of Jacob's family into a significant population.
* **"that thou mayest be a multitude of people;"**: This final clause states the ultimate purpose and outcome of the blessing: Jacob's descendants will not merely be numerous individuals but will coalesce into a recognized "multitude" or "assembly" (*qâhâl*), signifying the formation of a distinct and populous nation. This directly foreshadows the twelve tribes of Israel and their eventual growth into a great nation, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 28:3 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is the **Blessing Formula**, a common ancient Near Eastern literary and cultural convention where a patriarch formally bestows divine favor and future prosperity. This formula is imbued with **Divine Name Significance**, specifically through the invocation of "God Almighty" (*El Shaddai*). This name emphasizes God's omnipotence and sufficiency, assuring the recipient (and the reader) of the absolute certainty of the blessing's fulfillment, regardless of human circumstances. The **Repetition** of the concepts of "fruitful" and "multiply" (Hebrew *pârâh* and *râbâh*) creates emphasis, highlighting the central importance of progeny in the covenant promises and ensuring that the reader grasps the magnitude of the promised growth. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, looking ahead to the future formation of the nation of Israel from Jacob's twelve sons, thereby linking the individual's destiny to the broader redemptive history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 28:3 serves as a profound theological anchor, reaffirming God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises across generations. It demonstrates that God's redemptive plan is not contingent on human perfection but on His sovereign will and power. The invocation of *El Shaddai* underscores God's absolute sufficiency and omnipotence to bring about His purposes, even when circumstances seem impossible or when His chosen instruments are flawed. This blessing highlights the vital role of progeny in God's plan, as the formation of a numerous people was essential for the eventual arrival of the Messiah and the establishment of His kingdom. It also illustrates the principle of generational blessing, where the spiritual heritage and divine promises are passed down, emphasizing the continuity of God's work through His chosen lineage.

* [Genesis 17:6](/genesis/17-6 "God's Promise to Abraham: Nations from You")
* [Genesis 35:11](/genesis/35-11 "God Renames Jacob and Renews Covenant")
* [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "The Israelites Multiply in Egypt")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 28:3 offers profound encouragement for believers today, reminding us that God is the "God Almighty" (*El Shaddai*), fully capable of fulfilling His promises in our lives, even when our circumstances appear bleak or uncertain. Just as Jacob was sent into an unknown future, we too face journeys filled with challenges. Yet, Isaac's blessing assures us that God's power is sufficient to make us "fruitful" and "multiply" our impact, not just physically, but spiritually. This concept of fruitfulness extends beyond biological offspring to encompass spiritual growth, the bearing of good character, and the multiplication of God's kingdom through our lives, as seen in the call to bear fruit for God's glory (cf. [John 15:8](/john/15-8 "Jesus' teaching on abiding in Him to bear much fruit")). We are called to trust in His providence, knowing that His plans for us are for multiplication and abundance in every sphere where He has called us to serve. This verse also implicitly calls us to be channels of blessing, transmitting faith, hope, and divine favor to the next generation, recognizing the profound responsibility and privilege of our spiritual heritage.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to trust *El Shaddai* to bring about fruitfulness and multiplication, even when circumstances seem challenging?**
* **How can you actively participate in God's desire for you to be "fruitful" and "multiply" His kingdom, beyond physical progeny?**
* **What spiritual blessings or heritage have you received, and how are you stewarding them to pass on to the next generation?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the name "God Almighty" (El Shaddai) in this blessing?**

Answer: *El Shaddai* (H7706, H410) is a profound name for God that emphasizes His omnipotent power, self-sufficiency, and inexhaustible ability to fulfill His promises, particularly those related to fertility, provision, and sustenance. In [Genesis 28:3](/genesis/28-3 "Genesis 28:3 KJV Text"), its invocation assures Jacob that God has the absolute power to make him fruitful (H6509) and multiply (H7235) him into a great nation, despite his current solitary and vulnerable state. It highlights God's unwavering capacity to bring about His declared will, even in seemingly impossible circumstances.

**How does this blessing to Jacob relate to the earlier promises made to Abraham?**

Answer: This blessing is a direct reiteration and transmission of the Abrahamic covenant promises, specifically the promise of numerous descendants that would form a great nation (cf. [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Initial Promise to Abram")). Isaac, as the covenant heir, passes this divine promise to Jacob, ensuring the continuity of God's redemptive plan through the chosen lineage. It confirms that God's covenant is generational and will be faithfully fulfilled through Jacob's descendants, leading to the formation of the twelve tribes of Israel and ultimately, the lineage of the Messiah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The blessing of fruitfulness and multiplication bestowed upon Jacob in [Genesis 28:3](/genesis/28-3 "Genesis 28:3 KJV Text") finds its ultimate spiritual fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the immediate promise was physical progeny for the nation of Israel, Christ is the true "seed" of Abraham through whom all nations are blessed (cf. [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Christ, the Seed of Abraham")). The "multitude of people" promised to Jacob is spiritually realized in the vast, diverse body of believers—the Church—who are born not of natural descent but of the Spirit through faith in Christ (cf. [John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "Born of God")). Through Christ, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to bear spiritual fruit—the fruit of the Spirit (cf. [Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22-23 "Fruit of the Spirit")) and the fruit of evangelism and discipleship (cf. [Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19-20 "The Great Commission")). This demonstrates God's *El Shaddai* power to bring forth an immeasurable spiritual family, multiplying His kingdom not primarily through physical lineage, but through the transformative power of the Gospel that draws people from every tribe and tongue into the family of God (cf. [Revelation 7:9-10](/revelation/7-9-10 "A Multitude from Every Nation")).

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 48:3

And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,

Genesis 35:11

And God said unto him, I [am] God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;

Genesis 9:1

¶ And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth.

Genesis 13:16

And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, [then] shall thy seed also be numbered.

Genesis 1:28

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Genesis 22:17

That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which [is] upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

Genesis 22:18

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.