Genesis 28:7

KJV

And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padanaram;

KJV (with Strong's)

And that Jacob {H3290} obeyed {H8085} his father {H1} and his mother {H517}, and was gone {H3212} to Padanaram {H6307};

Complete Jewish Bible

and that Ya'akov had listened to his father and mother and gone to Paddan-Aram.

Berean Standard Bible

and that Jacob had obeyed his father and mother and gone to Paddan-aram.

American Standard Version

and that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Paddan-aram:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 28:7 concisely records Jacob's obedient departure from his family home in Canaan for Padanaram. This journey, undertaken at the command of his father Isaac to secure a wife from his kin and at the urgent counsel of his mother Rebekah to escape Esau's murderous wrath, marks a pivotal moment in Jacob's life, initiating a period of exile and profound spiritual formation under divine guidance, essential for the perpetuation of the Abrahamic covenant and the lineage of the promised Messiah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Isaac's solemn charge to Jacob, instructing him not to marry a Canaanite woman but to travel to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel, his mother's father, and take a wife from among Laban's daughters [Genesis 28:1-2](/genesis/28-1-2 "Isaac's Charge to Jacob"). This command is given in the aftermath of Jacob's deceptive acquisition of the birthright blessing from Esau, which ignited Esau's intense and murderous hatred [Genesis 27:41](/genesis/27-41 "Esau's Hatred for Jacob"). Rebekah, fully aware of Esau's deadly intentions, had independently urged Jacob to flee to her brother Laban in Haran until Esau's fury subsided [Genesis 27:43-45](/genesis/27-43-45 "Rebekah's Counsel to Jacob"). Thus, Jacob's departure is presented as a dual act: an obedient response to his father's marital directives and a necessary escape from his brother's imminent threat, seamlessly blending divine purpose with human circumstances.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern patriarchal societies, obedience to parents, especially the father, was paramount, particularly concerning marriage. Marrying within one's extended family or tribe was a common practice to preserve lineage, property, and cultural identity, preventing assimilation with foreign peoples. The region of Padanaram (meaning "field of Aram" or "table-land of Aram") was located in Mesopotamia, specifically the area around Haran, which was the ancestral home of Abraham's family before their migration to Canaan [Genesis 11:31](/genesis/11-31 "Terah's Migration to Haran"). This geographical detail underscores the cultural imperative to return to the family's original roots for a suitable spouse, ensuring the purity of the covenant line and avoiding the idolatrous practices of the Canaanites. The journey itself would have been long and arduous, requiring significant faith and resilience.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 28:7 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis. It highlights the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, demonstrating how God orchestrates events, even those born of human sin and fear, to fulfill His covenant promises. Jacob's flight, while seemingly a consequence of his deception, becomes the very means by which God directs him to his future wife and the place where he will encounter God profoundly at Bethel [Genesis 28:10-22](/genesis/28-10-22 "Jacob's Dream at Bethel"). The verse also underscores the theme of **Obedience**, presenting Jacob's compliance with his parents' wishes as a crucial act, despite his recent moral failings. This act of filial duty is presented as a positive step, aligning with God's plan for the continuation of the chosen lineage and the eventual birth of the nation of Israel. Furthermore, it marks the beginning of Jacob's **Journey of Faith and Formation**, a period of exile and hardship that will serve as a crucible for his character, shaping him into the patriarch Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **obeyed (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** From H8085, a primitive root meaning to hear intelligently, often with the implication of attention, obedience, or consent. It signifies more than merely hearing sound; it implies an active listening and a responsive compliance. In this context, Jacob not only heard his parents' instructions but acted upon them, demonstrating a willing submission to their directives.
* **father (Hebrew, _ʼâb'_):** From H1, a primitive word referring to a father, in a literal and immediate sense. It emphasizes Isaac's role as the patriarch and the source of the command regarding Jacob's marriage. The term highlights the familial authority structure central to the narrative.
* **mother (Hebrew, _ʼêm'_):** From H517, a primitive word referring to a mother, as the bond of the family. This inclusion underscores Rebekah's significant influence in Jacob's departure, both in advising him to flee Esau and in supporting the marital directive. It signifies that Jacob's compliance was to both parental figures.
* **was gone (Hebrew, _yâlak'_):** From H3212, a primitive root meaning to walk, literally or figuratively; causatively, to carry. In this context, it describes Jacob's physical departure, his act of setting out on the journey. It conveys the active movement and initiation of his exile.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother,"**: This clause highlights Jacob's compliance with the instructions given by both Isaac and Rebekah. The verb "obeyed" (Hebrew *shama*) implies not just hearing but actively heeding and acting upon the counsel. This is a significant detail, especially in light of Jacob's recent manipulative actions to secure the blessing, suggesting a capacity for filial duty and submission to authority, even amidst his personal complexities.
* **"and was gone to Padanaram;"**: This clause states Jacob's destination, Padanaram, the region in Mesopotamia where Rebekah's family resided. This journey was undertaken to fulfill Isaac's command to find a wife from his kin, thereby preserving the purity of the Abrahamic lineage, and simultaneously served as an escape from Esau's murderous intent. It marks the commencement of a new, formative chapter in Jacob's life, moving him out of the familiar land of Canaan and into a period of exile and divine encounter.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Emphasis** through its concise declaration of Jacob's obedience, highlighting this act as a significant turning point despite the preceding narrative of deception. There is a subtle **Irony** present, as Jacob, who previously manipulated his father, now readily obeys both parents in a matter that, while serving his safety, also aligns with God's larger covenant plan. The simple statement of his departure to Padanaram also functions as **Foreshadowing**, signaling the beginning of a long and transformative journey for Jacob, replete with divine encounters and personal growth, ultimately shaping him into the patriarch Israel. The directness of the statement creates a sense of **Narrative Progression**, swiftly moving the plot forward after the intense family drama of the preceding chapters.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 28:7 offers a profound insight into God's sovereign working through imperfect human agents. Jacob's obedience, though perhaps motivated by a complex mix of filial duty and self-preservation, is presented as a decisive act that aligns with God's overarching plan for the covenant lineage. This moment underscores that God's purposes are not thwarted by human sin or weakness; rather, He can providentially guide individuals, turning even their flights of necessity into steps toward the fulfillment of His promises. Jacob's journey to Padanaram, to find a wife from his own people, was crucial for maintaining the distinctiveness of the chosen line, ensuring the continuity of the Abrahamic covenant and setting the stage for the birth of the twelve tribes of Israel.

* [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Call to Abraham and Covenant Promises")
* [Proverbs 6:20](/proverbs/6-20 "The Importance of Parental Instruction")
* [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 28:7 serves as a powerful reminder that obedience, particularly to those in authority, can align with God's broader purposes, even when our personal circumstances are challenging or our past actions are flawed. Jacob's journey, though born out of necessity and a desire for personal safety, became a divinely orchestrated pathway for God to work profoundly in his life, shaping his character and preparing him for his crucial role in the unfolding redemptive narrative. It teaches us that even in imperfect situations, our acts of obedience, however small, can be critical steps in God's plan for us, leading to new encounters with His presence and promises, much like [God's assurance to Jacob](/genesis/28-15 "God's Promise to Be with Jacob") to be with him throughout his travels. This verse encourages us to trust that God can redeem our past and use our present obedience to guide us into His future for us, even when the path ahead seems uncertain or difficult.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jacob's obedience in this verse, despite his past deception, challenge or confirm your understanding of God's grace and use of imperfect people?**
* **In what ways might God be calling you to an act of obedience, even if the circumstances are complex or born out of difficult situations?**
* **How does trusting in God's providence, even when facing uncertainty or exile, as Jacob did, encourage you in your own life's journey?**

### FAQ

**Why is Jacob's obedience highlighted here, considering his previous deception?**

Answer: The text highlights Jacob's obedience to emphasize that despite his recent manipulative actions to secure the blessing, he still demonstrates a capacity for filial duty. This moment of obedience is crucial because it aligns with God's plan for the covenant lineage. It shows that God can use and guide individuals even with their imperfections, and that specific acts of obedience, even if mixed with other motivations, can be pivotal in His overarching redemptive purposes, preparing Jacob for the profound divine encounters that follow, such as [his dream at Bethel](/genesis/28-12-15 "Jacob's Dream at Bethel").

**What is the significance of Padanaram as Jacob's destination?**

Answer: Padanaram, or "field of Aram," was the region in Mesopotamia where Rebekah's family (Bethuel and Laban) resided. Its significance lies primarily in preserving the purity of the Abrahamic covenant line. Isaac had explicitly instructed Jacob not to marry a Canaanite woman, but to take a wife from his own kin. Going to Padanaram ensured that Jacob would marry within his extended family, maintaining the distinctiveness of the chosen people and fulfilling God's promise to Abraham to make him [a great nation](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham"). This journey was essential for the continuation of the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come.

**Does Jacob's flight from Esau diminish the sincerity of his obedience?**

Answer: While Jacob's immediate motivation for leaving was certainly to escape Esau's murderous anger, the text explicitly frames his departure as an act of obedience to *both* his father's marital instructions and his mother's advice to flee. The Hebrew word *shama* implies willing compliance and active heeding. Therefore, his departure was a confluence of both practical necessity and filial duty. The narrative presents it as an obedient act that ultimately serves God's larger plan, demonstrating how God can use multiple motivations and circumstances to achieve His sovereign will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jacob's journey from his homeland, driven by both obedience and the necessity of escape, foreshadows the ultimate journey and perfect obedience of Christ. While Jacob's obedience was imperfect and intertwined with self-preservation, it served a vital role in preserving the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come. Christ, in stark contrast, perfectly embodied obedience, not fleeing danger but willingly embracing the Father's will, even unto the ultimate sacrifice on the cross [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Obedience Unto Death"). Jacob's search for a wife from his own people, preserving the covenant line, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who gathers a bride, the Church, not from one lineage but from all peoples, establishing a new covenant family through His blood [Revelation 5:9](/revelation/5-9 "The Lamb Redeems People from Every Tribe"). God's providential guidance of Jacob, ensuring the continuation of His promises despite human failings, culminates in the sending of His Son, the perfectly obedient One, who fulfills all covenant promises and brings salvation to humanity, offering the true "ladder" to heaven that Jacob glimpsed at Bethel [John 1:51](/john/1-51 "Jesus, the Ladder to Heaven").

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

Proverbs 30:17

The eye [that] mocketh at [his] father, and despiseth to obey [his] mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

Ephesians 6:3

That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Colossians 3:20

Children, obey [your] parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Leviticus 19:3

Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I [am] the LORD your God.

Exodus 20:12

¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Genesis 27:43

Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; and arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran;

Ephesians 6:1

¶ Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.