Genesis 28:18

Authorized King James Version

And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם

H7925

rose up early

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

יַֽעֲקֹ֜ב

H3290

And Jacob

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

בַּבֹּ֗קֶר

H1242

in the morning

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

וַיִּקַּ֤ח

H3947

and took

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאֶ֙בֶן֙

H68

the stone

a stone

אֲשֶׁר

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

וַיָּ֥שֶׂם

H7760

and set it up

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

מְרַֽאֲשֹׁתָ֔יו

H4763

for his pillows

properly, a headpiece, i.e., (plural for adverbial) at (or as) the head-rest (or pillow)

#10

וַיָּ֥שֶׂם

H7760

and set it up

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

#11

אֹתָ֖הּ

H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

#12

מַצֵּבָ֑ה

H4676

for a pillar

something stationed, i.e., a column or (memorial stone); by analogy, an idol

#13

וַיִּצֹ֥ק

H3332

and poured

properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard

#14

שֶׁ֖מֶן

H8081

oil

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

#15

עַל

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#16

רֹאשָֽׁהּ׃

H7218

upon the top of it

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

Analysis

The creation and providence theme here intersects with the broader canonical witness to God's character and purposes. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of progressive revelation that finds its culmination in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's consistent character and purposes.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the tribal and clan-based society of the ancient Near East. The author writes to address the foundational narrative for Israel's identity and relationship with God, making the emphasis on creation and providence particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?
How does the creation and providence theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of creation and providence, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of fundamental Christian doctrine?

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