Genesis 26:31

Authorized King James Version

PDF

And they rose up betimes in the morning, and sware one to another: and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace.

Original Language Analysis

וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣ימוּ And they rose up betimes H7925
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֣ימוּ And they rose up betimes
Strong's: H7925
Word #: 1 of 10
literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
בַבֹּ֔קֶר in the morning H1242
בַבֹּ֔קֶר in the morning
Strong's: H1242
Word #: 2 of 10
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
וַיִּשָּֽׁבְע֖וּ and sware H7650
וַיִּשָּֽׁבְע֖וּ and sware
Strong's: H7650
Word #: 3 of 10
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
אִ֣ישׁ one H376
אִ֣ישׁ one
Strong's: H376
Word #: 4 of 10
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לְאָחִ֑יו to another H251
לְאָחִ֑יו to another
Strong's: H251
Word #: 5 of 10
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וַיְשַׁלְּחֵ֣ם sent them away H7971
וַיְשַׁלְּחֵ֣ם sent them away
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 6 of 10
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
יִצְחָ֔ק and Isaac H3327
יִצְחָ֔ק and Isaac
Strong's: H3327
Word #: 7 of 10
jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham
וַיֵּֽלְכ֥וּ H1980
וַיֵּֽלְכ֥וּ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 8 of 10
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
מֵֽאִתּ֖וֹ H853
מֵֽאִתּ֖וֹ
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּשָׁלֽוֹם׃ from him in peace H7965
בְּשָׁלֽוֹם׃ from him in peace
Strong's: H7965
Word #: 10 of 10
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

Cross References

Hebrews 6:16For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.Genesis 31:44Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.Genesis 25:33And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob.1 Samuel 30:15And David said to him, Canst thou bring me down to this company? And he said, Swear unto me by God, that thou wilt neither kill me, nor deliver me into the hands of my master, and I will bring thee down to this company.Genesis 14:22And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,Genesis 22:3And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.Genesis 21:14And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba.Genesis 31:55And early in the morning Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them: and Laban departed, and returned unto his place.Genesis 19:2And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.Genesis 21:23Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.

Analysis & Commentary

And they rose up betimes in the morning, and sware one to another: and Isaac sent them away, and the... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include:

  1. divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13)
  2. God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness
  3. discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation
  4. generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break
  5. prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith.

Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

Historical Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

People

Study Resources