Genesis 31:11

KJV

And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, [saying], Jacob: And I said, Here [am] I.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the angel {H4397} of God {H430} spake {H559} unto me in a dream {H2472}, saying, Jacob {H3290}: And I said {H559}, Here am I.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then, in the dream, the angel of God said to me, 'Ya'akov!' and I replied, 'Here I am.'

Berean Standard Bible

In that dream the angel of God said to me, ‘Jacob!’ And I replied, ‘Here I am.’

American Standard Version

And the angel of God said unto me in the dream, Jacob: and I said, Here am I.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 31:11 records a pivotal divine encounter where the angel of God speaks to Jacob in a dream, calling his name and eliciting his immediate, submissive response, "Here am I." This communication serves as God's direct and personal intervention, providing essential guidance and reassurance to Jacob amidst his strained relationship with Laban, setting the stage for his divinely orchestrated departure from Paddan-Aram and his long-awaited return to the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical turning point in Jacob's life, following two decades of service to Laban in Paddan-Aram. The preceding verses ([Genesis 31:1-2](/genesis/31-1 "Laban's sons envy Jacob")) describe the growing animosity from Laban's sons due to Jacob's increasing wealth, which God had supernaturally blessed despite Laban's repeated deceit and manipulation of Jacob's wages ([Genesis 31:7](/genesis/31-7 "Laban changes Jacob's wages ten times")). This divine communication in a dream serves as the catalyst for Jacob's decision to finally leave Laban, directly preceding his conversation with Leah and Rachel where he recounts the dream and God's explicit command to return to the land of his birth ([Genesis 31:12-13](/genesis/31-12-13 "The angel of God identifies Himself and commands Jacob to return")). It marks the culmination of God's patient oversight of Jacob's sojourn and the initiation of the next phase of His covenant plan for Jacob and his descendants.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jacob's prolonged stay in Paddan-Aram reflects the ancient Near Eastern practice of a son-in-law serving his father-in-law to earn his wives and establish his household, often for many years. Laban's repeated changing of Jacob's wages (ten times, as Jacob states in [Genesis 31:7](/genesis/31-7 "Laban's deceitful wage changes")) highlights a common theme of contractual disputes and the vulnerability of a dependent worker in such arrangements. Dreams were widely regarded in the ancient world, including among the Hebrews, as a legitimate and potent medium for divine communication. God frequently used dreams to reveal His will, warn, or provide guidance to His servants, as seen with Abraham, Joseph, and Pharaoh. Jacob's immediate and submissive response, "Here am I," is a culturally significant affirmation of readiness and obedience, a posture expected when a superior calls a subordinate.

* **Key Themes:** Genesis 31:11 powerfully reinforces several overarching themes found throughout the book of [Genesis](/genesis/1 "The Book of Genesis - Beginnings"): **Divine Providence and Guidance** is paramount, as God actively intervenes to direct Jacob's path, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises despite human treachery. This echoes God's earlier promise to Jacob at Bethel to be with him and bring him back to the land ([Genesis 28:15](/genesis/28-15 "God's promise to Jacob at Bethel")). The theme of **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant** is also prominent; even when Jacob is far from the Promised Land and facing adversity, God remembers His promises to Abraham and Isaac, ensuring their fulfillment through Jacob. Furthermore, the verse highlights **Human Responsiveness to the Divine Call**, with Jacob's "Here am I" serving as a model of attentiveness and readiness to obey God's voice, a crucial element for those called to participate in God's redemptive plan.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **angel (Hebrew, _mălʼâk'_):** (H4397) From an unused root meaning "to despatch as a deputy," this term refers to a messenger. Specifically, when used in conjunction with "God" (as "angel of God"), it often denotes a divine messenger, an angel, or, significantly in many Old Testament contexts, a pre-incarnate manifestation of God Himself (a theophany or Christophany). In this verse, the "angel" speaks with the authority and identity of God, explicitly stating in subsequent verses, "I am the God of Bethel" ([Genesis 31:13](/genesis/31-13 "The angel identifies Himself as the God of Bethel")), strongly indicating a direct divine encounter.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** (H430) This is a plural form, often used to refer to the supreme God, especially when accompanied by the article (as here, "the God"). While it can refer to gods in a general sense, its use with a singular verb and in contexts referring to the God of Israel unequivocally points to the one true God. Its presence here emphasizes the divine authority and identity of the "angel" communicating with Jacob.
* **dream (Hebrew, _chălôwm'_):** (H2472) From the root "to dream," this word specifically denotes a dream. In the biblical narrative, dreams frequently serve as a medium for God to communicate directly with individuals, conveying messages, warnings, or guidance. This highlights God's supernatural means of interaction with humanity, bypassing ordinary human channels to deliver His sovereign will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream":** This opening clause immediately establishes the supernatural nature of the encounter. It signifies that the communication is not from a human source or merely Jacob's own thoughts, but originates from a divine messenger, understood here as a direct manifestation of God's presence and authority. The setting "in a dream" underscores the intimacy and directness of this divine revelation, a common biblical mode for God to convey His will to His chosen servants.
* **"saying, Jacob":** The divine address is personal and direct. God, through His angel, calls Jacob by name, indicating a specific, intentional, and intimate communication. The calling of one's name in such a context often precedes a significant message or commission, demanding the individual's full attention and acknowledging their identity in relation to the divine speaker.
* **"And I said, Here am I":** Jacob's immediate and concise response is the Hebrew *Hineni* (הִנְנִי). This powerful expression means more than simply "I am here"; it conveys a profound sense of attentiveness, availability, and readiness to listen and obey. It signifies a posture of submission and willingness to receive instruction or to serve, demonstrating Jacob's spiritual alertness and preparedness to respond to God's voice, even before the full message is revealed.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. The primary device is **Theophany** (or **Christophany**), where the "angel of God" is not merely an angelic messenger but a direct manifestation of God Himself, as evidenced by the angel's self-identification as "the God of Bethel" in subsequent verses ([Genesis 31:13](/genesis/31-13 "The angel identifies Himself as the God of Bethel")). This highlights God's personal and active involvement in Jacob's life. The use of **Dialogue** is central, presenting a direct exchange between the divine and the human, emphasizing the personal nature of God's communication. Furthermore, the **Symbolism** of the dream as a vehicle for divine revelation underscores God's ability to transcend ordinary human experience to convey His will. Jacob's response, "Here am I," is itself a symbolic expression, representing a posture of immediate and humble **Obedience** and availability to God's call, a motif repeated throughout biblical narratives.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 31:11 profoundly illustrates God's active and personal involvement in the lives of His people, particularly during times of transition and uncertainty. It underscores that God is not a distant, passive deity but one who intimately knows the circumstances of His servants and sovereignly intervenes to guide them according to His purposes. This divine communication through a dream reaffirms God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, demonstrating His faithfulness to bring Jacob back to the Promised Land and fulfill the blessings promised to Abraham and Isaac. Jacob's ready response, "Here am I," serves as a timeless theological model for believers, emphasizing the crucial importance of cultivating a heart that is attentive, available, and obedient to God's voice, even when the path ahead is unclear or challenging.

* [Genesis 28:15](/genesis/28-15 "God's Promise to Jacob at Bethel")
* [1 Samuel 3:10](/1_samuel/3-10 "Samuel's Response to God's Call")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "God Speaks Through His Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 31:11 offers profound encouragement and practical guidance for believers navigating the complexities of modern life. Just as Jacob found himself in a difficult, unjust situation with Laban, we too often face periods of uncertainty, conflict, or transition where human wisdom alone seems insufficient. This verse reminds us that God remains intimately involved in our lives, actively providing direction and reassurance. We are called to cultivate a spiritual posture akin to Jacob's "Here am I"—a heart that is attentive to God's voice, whether through diligent study of His written Word, the promptings of the Holy Spirit in prayer, the wise counsel of godly mentors, or through providential circumstances. Trusting in God's perfect timing and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even when our circumstances seem unfair or our future uncertain, allows us to step forward in obedience, confident that He will lead us according to His perfect will and fulfill His purposes in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life are you currently seeking God's specific guidance or intervention?**
* **How can you cultivate a more attentive and available posture ("Here am I") to hear and respond to God's voice in your daily life?**
* **What past experiences demonstrate God's faithfulness in leading you through difficult or uncertain times, similar to Jacob's experience?**

### FAQ
**Who is "the angel of God" in this context?**

Answer: While "angel of God" (Hebrew: *malakh Elohim*) can refer to a created angelic being, in this specific context and others like it in the Old Testament, the "angel" speaks with the authority and identity of God Himself. For instance, in [Genesis 31:13](/genesis/31-13 "The angel identifies Himself as the God of Bethel"), this "angel" explicitly states, "I am the God of Bethel." This strongly suggests a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ (a Christophany) or a direct manifestation of God, indicating a personal and direct divine encounter with Jacob, rather than merely an angelic intermediary. This highlights God's direct and sovereign involvement in Jacob's life.

**What is the significance of Jacob's response, "Here am I"?**

Answer: Jacob's response, "Here am I" (Hebrew: *Hineni*), is a profound expression of immediate attentiveness, availability, and readiness to obey. It signifies a posture of profound submission and willingness to receive and act upon divine instruction, even before the full message is revealed. It is not merely an acknowledgement of physical presence but a declaration of spiritual readiness to serve and comply with God's will. This same posture is seen in other pivotal biblical figures, such as Abraham's response to God's call to sacrifice Isaac ([Genesis 22:1](/genesis/22-1 "Abraham's 'Hineni' in Genesis 22:1")) and Samuel's response to the Lord's call in the night ([1 Samuel 3:4](/1_samuel/3-4 "Samuel's 'Hineni' in 1 Samuel 3:4")), underscoring its deep theological significance as a model for human responsiveness to divine calling.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 31:11, portraying God's direct and personal guidance to Jacob through the "angel of God," finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "angel of God" who speaks with divine authority and identifies as "the God of Bethel" ([Genesis 31:13](/genesis/31-13 "The angel identifies Himself as the God of Bethel")) is often understood as a pre-incarnate manifestation of Christ, the second person of the Trinity. He is the ultimate divine Messenger, the very Word of God through whom God most fully and clearly communicates His will to humanity ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God") and [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "God speaks through His Son")). Just as God personally intervened to lead Jacob out of Laban's household and back to the Promised Land, Christ is the Good Shepherd who perfectly leads His flock, providing perfect direction, protection, and the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant promises, ushering believers into the true promised land of eternal life ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - The Good Shepherd")). Jacob's obedient "Here am I" anticipates the posture of faith and submission required of all who follow Christ, who Himself perfectly embodied the *Hineni* in His unwavering obedience to the Father's will, even unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")).

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 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.

Isaiah 58:9

Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I [am]. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

Genesis 18:17

And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do;

Genesis 22:1

¶ And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, [here] I [am].

1 Samuel 3:6

And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here [am] I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.

Genesis 48:15

And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,

Genesis 48:16

The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.