Genesis 28:20

Authorized King James Version

And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיִּדַּ֥ר

H5087

vowed

to promise (pos., to do or give something to god)

יַֽעֲקֹ֖ב

H3290

And Jacob

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

נֶ֣דֶר

H5088

a vow

a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised

לֵאמֹ֑ר

H559

saying

to say (used with great latitude)

אִם

H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יִֽהְיֶ֨ה

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

אֱלֹהִ֜ים

H430

If God

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

עִמָּדִ֗י

H5978

along with

וּשְׁמָרַ֙נִי֙

H8104

will be with me and will keep me

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

#10

בַּדֶּ֤רֶךְ

H1870

in this way

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

#11

הַזֶּה֙

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

#12

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

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

#13

אָֽנֹכִ֣י

H595

#14

הוֹלֵ֔ךְ

H1980

that I go

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

#15

וְנָֽתַן

H5414

and will give

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

#16

לִ֥י

#17

לֶ֛חֶם

H3899

me bread

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

#18

לֶֽאֱכֹ֖ל

H398

to eat

to eat (literally or figuratively)

#19

וּבֶ֥גֶד

H899

and raiment

a covering, i.e., clothing

#20

לִלְבֹּֽשׁ׃

H3847

to put on

properly, wrap around, i.e., (by implication) to put on a garment or clothe (oneself, or another), literally or figuratively

Analysis

Within the broader context of Genesis, this passage highlights creation and providence through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Genesis.

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

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?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine sovereignty address questions about God's character and purposes in the modern world, and how should the church respond?
How does this verse's literary context within Genesis chapter 28 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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