Genesis 37:1

ยถ And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan.

And Jacob {H3290} dwelt {H3427} in the land {H776} wherein his father {H1} was a stranger {H4033}, in the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667}.

Ya'akov continued living in the land where his father had lived as a foreigner, the land of Kena'an.

Now Jacob lived in the land where his father had resided, the land of Canaan.

And Jacob dwelt in the land of his fatherโ€™s sojournings, in the land of Canaan.

Commentary

Genesis 37:1 marks a significant pivot in the biblical narrative, shifting focus from Jacob's personal struggles and reconciliation to the unfolding story of his family, particularly Joseph. This verse succinctly establishes the setting for the dramatic events that follow.

Context

Following Jacob's return from Padan-Aram (where he lived with Laban) and his profound encounter at Peniel, as well as his reconciliation with Esau, this verse establishes Jacob's settled presence in the land of Canaan. It precedes the detailed accounts of Joseph's dreams, his brothers' jealousy, and his eventual sale into Egypt. The phrase "wherein his father was a stranger" immediately connects Jacob's experience to the ongoing patriarchal narrative, emphasizing the transient nature of their habitation despite God's promises concerning the land. This land, the land of Canaan, was central to God's covenant with Abraham.

Key Themes

  • Sojourning and Promise: The verse highlights the paradoxical situation of the patriarchs. While God had promised them the land, Abraham, Isaac, and now Jacob, lived as "strangers" (or sojourners) within it. This underscores a life of faith, where the fulfillment of God's promise is still future, requiring trust and patience. The Hebrew word for "stranger" (ืžึฐื’ื•ึผืจึดื™ื, megurim) denotes a temporary residence, a place of sojourning, not permanent ownership. This concept is vital to understanding the faith of the patriarchs who lived in tents, awaiting a heavenly city.
  • Continuity of the Covenant: By stating that Jacob dwelt in the land where his father (Isaac) was a stranger, the narrative reinforces the unbroken line of God's covenant with Abraham. This divine promise of land and descendants passed from Abraham to Isaac and now to Jacob, demonstrating God's faithfulness across generations.
  • Setting the Stage: This verse serves as a crucial transition, marking the beginning of the "generations of Jacob" (Genesis 37:2). It grounds the subsequent narrative of Joseph's life and the eventual descent of the family into Egypt within the context of their divinely appointed, yet not yet fully possessed, homeland.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "dwelt" for Jacob and "stranger" for his father. The Hebrew word for "dwelt" (ื™ึธืฉึทืื‘, yashab) typically means "to sit down," "to remain," or "to settle." While it implies residence, its juxtaposition with "stranger" (ืžึฐื’ื•ึผืจึดื™ื, megurim, related to ื’ึผื•ึผืจ, gur, meaning "to sojourn" or "to live as a temporary resident") emphasizes that even Jacob's "dwelling" was not yet one of full possession. It signifies a continued state of being an alien, albeit one with a divine promise.

Practical Application

Genesis 37:1 reminds us that our earthly dwelling is often temporary, mirroring the patriarchs' experience. Like Jacob, we are called to live by faith, trusting in God's promises even when their full realization is not yet apparent. It encourages patience and perseverance, knowing that God is faithful to His word across generations. It also highlights the importance of understanding our spiritual inheritance and our identity as sojourners in this world, looking forward to a permanent home, as described in John 14:2.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 17:8

    And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

  • Genesis 23:4

    I [am] a stranger and a sojourner with you: give me a possession of a buryingplace with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.

  • Genesis 28:4

    And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.

  • Hebrews 11:9

    By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

  • Hebrews 11:16

    But now they desire a better [country], that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

  • Genesis 36:7

    For their riches were more than that they might dwell together; and the land wherein they were strangers could not bear them because of their cattle.
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