Genesis 28:5

KJV

And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Padanaram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Isaac {H3327} sent away {H7971} Jacob {H3290}: and he went {H3212} to Padanaram {H6307} unto Laban {H3837}, son {H1121} of Bethuel {H1328} the Syrian {H761}, the brother {H251} of Rebekah {H7259}, Jacob's {H3290} and Esau's {H6215} mother {H517}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So Yitz'chak sent Ya'akov away; and he went to Paddan-Aram, to Lavan, son of B'tu'el the Arami, the brother of Rivkah Ya'akov's and 'Esav's mother.

Berean Standard Bible

So Isaac sent Jacob to Paddan-aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, who was the mother of Jacob and Esau.

American Standard Version

And Isaac sent away Jacob: and he went to Paddan-aram unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian, the brother of Rebekah, Jacob’s and Esau’s mother.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 28:5 details the pivotal moment of Jacob's departure from Canaan, initiated by his father Isaac, as he journeys to Padanaram. This journey, undertaken to find a wife from his mother Rebekah's family, marks a significant turning point in Jacob's life, shaping his personal destiny and profoundly influencing the future lineage of the covenant people of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 28:5 is situated immediately after Isaac's final instructions and blessing upon Jacob in [Genesis 28:1-4](/genesis/28-1-4 "Isaac Blesses Jacob and Sends Him Away"). This verse serves as the direct fulfillment of Isaac's command for Jacob to go to Padanaram to take a wife from among the daughters of Laban, Bethuel's son. The narrative flow highlights the urgency and purpose of Jacob's departure, driven by both parental instruction to secure a suitable marriage within their kin and Rebekah's earlier, more immediate concern for Jacob's safety from Esau's murderous intent, revealed in [Genesis 27:41-45](/genesis/27-41-45 "Esau's Anger and Rebekah's Plan"). Thus, this verse marks the commencement of Jacob's long sojourn away from the promised land, a period critical for his personal formation and the expansion of the patriarchal family.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice of endogamy—marrying within one's kin group—was a crucial cultural norm in the ancient Near East, particularly for patriarchal families like Abraham's, who sought to preserve their distinct identity, heritage, and religious purity. Isaac's insistence that Jacob not marry a Canaanite woman ([Genesis 28:1](/genesis/28-1 "Isaac's Command to Jacob")) reflects this deep-seated concern, echoing Abraham's earlier directive for Isaac's own marriage in [Genesis 24:3-4](/genesis/24-3-4 "Abraham Seeks a Wife for Isaac"). Padanaram, meaning "the field of Aram," refers to the region of Mesopotamia where Haran was located, the ancestral homeland of Abraham's family before their migration to Canaan. Traveling to this distant land underscored the commitment to preserving the lineage and the covenant promises, despite the significant risks and hardships of such a journey in that era.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Genesis. The theme of **Divine Providence** is evident, as God orchestrates events, even through human deception and familial conflict, to ensure the continuation of the covenant line. Jacob's journey, though prompted by his own actions and Esau's wrath, is ultimately guided by God's sovereign hand, leading him to the very place where he will meet his future wives and become the father of the twelve tribes. The theme of **Covenant Preservation** is also paramount, as Isaac's explicit instruction for Jacob to marry outside of Canaan reinforces the importance of maintaining the spiritual and cultural distinctiveness of Abraham's descendants. Furthermore, the theme of **Exile and Transformation** begins here, as Jacob's forced departure initiates a period of profound personal growth, divine encounters (like at [Bethel in Genesis 28:10-22](/genesis/28-10-22 "Jacob's Dream at Bethel")), and the shaping of his character, preparing him for his role as the patriarch of Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 28:5 succinctly describes the critical moment of Jacob's departure, a journey initiated by his father and driven by profound familial and covenantal imperatives.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **sent away (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** This verb (H7971) signifies a primitive root meaning "to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)." In this context, it highlights Isaac's deliberate and authoritative action in dispatching Jacob. It implies not just a simple departure but an intentional commissioning, underscoring the weight of Isaac's patriarchal instruction and the purpose behind Jacob's journey—to secure a wife from his kin.
* **went (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** This primitive root (H3212) means "to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry." Here, it describes Jacob's immediate and direct obedience to Isaac's command. It emphasizes the physical act of setting out on a journey, marking the commencement of a long and transformative period of Jacob's life away from the land of Canaan.
* **son (Hebrew, _bên'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to build," this noun (H1121) refers to a "son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense." Its repeated use in the verse ("son of Bethuel," "Jacob's and Esau's mother") underscores the genealogical focus and the critical importance of lineage within the patriarchal narratives. It highlights the family relationships that define Jacob's destination and the purpose of his journey: to continue the family line.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Isaac sent away Jacob:"** This opening clause establishes the primary agent and the immediate action. Isaac, as the patriarch, exercises his authority, dispatching Jacob. This "sending away" is both an act of protection (from Esau) and a directive for the continuation of the covenant line through a suitable marriage.
* **"and he went to Padanaram unto Laban,"** This clause describes Jacob's immediate response and destination. Jacob's obedience is swift, as he sets out for Padanaram, a specific region in Mesopotamia. His direct destination is Laban, his maternal uncle, indicating the familial purpose of his journey.
* **"son of Bethuel the Syrian,"** This phrase provides crucial genealogical detail, identifying Laban's father, Bethuel, and his ethnic origin as "the Syrian" (or Aramean). This reinforces the connection to Rebekah's family, emphasizing the non-Canaanite lineage from which Jacob is to take a wife, thereby maintaining the purity of the Abrahamic covenant line.
* **"the brother of Rebekah, Jacob's and Esau's mother."** This final clause meticulously clarifies the familial relationship, linking Laban directly to Rebekah, who is identified as the mother of both Jacob and Esau. This precise identification underscores the familial ties that are the basis for Jacob's journey and the preservation of the family's heritage.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Narrative Economy**, conveying a significant turning point in a concise manner while packing in crucial details about characters, relationships, and geography. The use of **Genealogical Detail** is prominent, with the verse meticulously tracing familial connections ("son of Bethuel," "brother of Rebekah," "Jacob's and Esau's mother"), which serves to emphasize the importance of lineage and the preservation of the covenant family's distinct identity. The **Geographical Specificity** of "Padanaram" and the ethnic identifier "the Syrian" provide a concrete setting and cultural context, grounding the narrative in a historical reality and highlighting the distance and foreignness of Jacob's destination.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 28:5 is a pivotal verse that encapsulates the intertwining of human decisions and divine purpose within the patriarchal narrative. While Jacob's departure is immediately prompted by his deception and Esau's wrath, it simultaneously serves God's overarching plan to preserve the covenant lineage and bring about His promises. Isaac's instruction for Jacob to marry outside of Canaanite women underscores the critical importance of maintaining the distinct spiritual and cultural heritage of Abraham's family, ensuring the purity of the line through which the Messiah would eventually come. This narrative powerfully illustrates God's sovereignty, demonstrating His ability to work through imperfect human agents and challenging circumstances to accomplish His redemptive will. Jacob's journey, born of necessity, becomes a crucible for his spiritual formation and a vital step in the unfolding of Israel's history.

* [Genesis 24:3-4](/genesis/24-3-4 "Abraham's Instructions for Isaac's Marriage") – Abraham's earlier command for Isaac to marry from his own kin, establishing a pattern for the patriarchal line.
* [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's Words to His Brothers") – Joseph's declaration to his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good," perfectly encapsulates how God uses human sin and suffering for His redemptive purposes, paralleling Jacob's situation.
* [Genesis 35:9-15](/genesis/35-9-15 "God Renews Covenant with Jacob at Bethel") – Jacob's later encounter with God at Bethel (where he first stopped on this journey) demonstrates the transformative power of divine presence during his exile.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 28:5 offers profound insights into the nature of God's providence and the human journey. It reminds us that even when our lives are marked by missteps, difficult choices, or forced changes, God remains sovereign and continues to work His purposes through us and our circumstances. Jacob's departure, though a consequence of his own deceit, was also a divinely orchestrated step that led him to a period of profound spiritual growth and the establishment of the twelve tribes of Israel. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's overarching plan, even when our personal path is uncertain, challenging, or born out of less-than-ideal situations. It highlights the enduring significance of family, heritage, and the choices we make regarding them, as they can have long-lasting implications for future generations and the fulfillment of God's promises. We are called to recognize God's hand in our "sent away" moments, understanding that He can redeem and redirect our paths for His glory and our ultimate good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jacob's departure, though rooted in deception, demonstrate God's continued faithfulness to His covenant promises?**
* **In what ways might our own "forced journeys" or difficult transitions be opportunities for God to shape our character and fulfill His purposes in our lives?**
* **What significance does the emphasis on family lineage and marriage within one's kin hold for believers today in understanding spiritual heritage and community?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jacob sent to Padanaram specifically?**

Answer: Jacob was sent to Padanaram for a dual purpose. Primarily, it was for his safety, to escape the murderous wrath of his brother Esau, as advised by Rebekah in [Genesis 27:41-45](/genesis/27-41-45 "Esau's Anger and Rebekah's Advice"). Secondarily, and equally important from Isaac's perspective, it was to find a wife from his mother's family, thereby avoiding marriage to Canaanite women and preserving the distinct spiritual and cultural lineage of Abraham's covenant, as instructed in [Genesis 28:1-2](/genesis/28-1-2 "Isaac's Instructions to Jacob").

**Who was Bethuel the Syrian?**

Answer: Bethuel was the father of Rebekah and Laban, making him Jacob's maternal grandfather. He is identified as "the Syrian" (or Aramean) because he resided in Aram (Syria), specifically the region of Padanaram. This identification emphasizes the non-Canaanite origin of Rebekah's family, from whom Isaac desired Jacob to take a wife, ensuring the continuation of the covenant line free from the influences of the surrounding pagan cultures.

**Does Jacob's obedience to his parents here negate his earlier deception?**

Answer: While Jacob's prompt departure demonstrates obedience to his parents' instructions, it does not negate his earlier deception regarding the blessing. Instead, it illustrates God's profound ability to work through imperfect individuals and challenging circumstances. Jacob's journey is a direct consequence of his actions and Esau's reaction, but it is simultaneously a stage for God's redemptive plan to unfold. God uses this forced exile not only to protect Jacob but also to further His covenant purposes for Jacob and his descendants, highlighting His sovereignty over human sin and its consequences.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 28:5, marking Jacob's journey into exile and separation from his homeland, serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the greater journey and ultimate "sending away" of Christ. Just as Jacob was sent forth from his family, albeit under fraught circumstances, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, willingly "sent himself away" from the infinite glory and communion of heaven to dwell among humanity, taking on the form of a servant ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). His earthly sojourn, culminating in His suffering, death, and resurrection, was a journey of profound separation and sacrifice, undertaken not for personal gain or escape, but to secure a divine blessing for His people, far surpassing any earthly inheritance. Jacob's journey was providentially guided to establish the lineage through which the Messiah would come, but Christ's journey ensures the fulfillment of all God's promises, establishing a new covenant ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Jesus, Mediator of a Better Covenant")) and a spiritual lineage of believers ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Heirs According to the Promise")) far greater than any earthly one, bringing eternal redemption and true blessing to all who believe in Him.

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.