Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 28בְּרֵאשִׁית כ״ח

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Jacob leaves the land as a displaced heir and receives at Bethel the direct confirmation that the Abrahamic promise, the divine presence, and the future return rest on YHWH's initiative rather than on household control or human security. Isaac's formal transfer of the blessing of Abraham means Jacob's journey is not reducible to escape from Esau alone; it is also the departure of the designated covenant heir. Yet that movement into promise immediately passes through solitude, exposure, and an unnamed place on the road, where the fleeing son is shown that heaven is not closed above him and the land promise has not been suspended by exile. The dream vision, the divine self-identification, and the assurances of land, offspring, worldwide blessing, guarding presence, and return together make this one of the decisive turning points in the patriarchal story. Esau's brief counter-move sharpens the contrast, since he can perceive the family preference without entering the line that the blessing has confirmed. Jacob's awakening fear, his naming of Bethel, and his vow reveal a man who has not yet completed the journey but has begun to answer revelation with worship, memorial, and pledged fidelity. Displacement and assurance are thus bound tightly together: Jacob is sent away from home, yet at Bethel he learns that the God of Abraham and Isaac is already with him on the road and will not abandon the promise until return is accomplished.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. A major hinge in the Jacob narrative stands here, where the aftermath of deception gives way to exile, promise, and the first great personal theophany granted to Jacob. Verses 1-5 are not merely travel arrangements: Isaac's charge concerning marriage and his explicit bestowal of the blessing of Abraham formally transfer the patriarchal promise to Jacob in terms of seed, land, and future corporate fruitfulness. Verse 3's divine title El Shaddai remains significant in continuity with earlier patriarchal scenes, and verse 4's language of inheriting the land of your sojournings should retain its covenantal force rather than sounding like a simple family relocation. Verses 6-9 present Esau's reaction with notable irony. He correctly perceives that the daughters of Canaan are displeasing to Isaac, yet his attempt at remedy by taking a daughter of Ishmael does not heal the deeper rupture; the scene matters because it shows perception without true participation in the covenant line. In verses 10-11 the narrative suddenly narrows to a solitary traveler, exposed between departure and destination. The repeated reference to the place prepares the revelation that the apparently ordinary site is charged with divine presence. Verse 12's sullam is a classic crux: whether one imagines stairway, ramp, or ladder, the point is a vertical link between earth and heaven with angelic traffic that marks unhindered divine access. Verse 13 is likewise delicate because YHWH is said to be standing above it, a phrase that may also be heard as standing beside him; either way the emphasis falls on YHWH's sovereign nearness and self-disclosure. Verses 13-15 gather and intensify the patriarchal promises: land, seed, expansion in all directions, blessing to all families of the ground, divine presence, protection, and return. Verse 15 is especially important because it joins promise of presence with promise of return, so Jacob's exile is bounded by divine commitment rather than by mere chance. Jacob's waking response in verses 16-17 should preserve both astonishment and dread; Surely YHWH is in this place and this is none other than the house of God and this is the gate of heaven are defining statements for the theology of sacred place in Genesis. Verses 18-19 then transform the ordinary stone into a memorial pillar and the unnamed site into Bethel, though the notice about Luz preserves concrete geographical memory alongside theological naming. The vow in verses 20-22 is one of the narrative's most discussed cruxes. The if-clause can sound conditional to modern ears, yet within the narrative it functions as Jacob's vowed response to promises just received, binding worship, acknowledgment, and tithe to YHWH's pledged care. The closing lines therefore do not weaken the revelation but show Jacob beginning to answer it in the idiom of vow, memorial, and future fidelity. Versification follows the MT.

1

וַיִּקְרָ֥א יִצְחָ֛ק אֶֽל יַעֲקֹ֖ב וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ אֹת֑וֹ וַיְצַוֵּ֨הוּ֙ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֔וֹ לֹֽא תִקַּ֥ח אִשָּׁ֖ה מִבְּנ֥וֹת כְּנָֽעַן

Then Isaac called Jacob, blessed him, charged him, and said to him, "You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan."

Patriarchal commission opened: Isaac blesses Jacob and forbids a Canaanite marriageוַיִּקְרָ֥א
The unit opens with Isaac's formal summons, blessing, and command. Jacob's departure is framed not as flight alone but as a sanctioned patriarchal commission concerning marriage.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיִּקְרָ֥אcalledQal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, summon'; with אֶל marks a purposeful summons to address someone directly.
יִצְחָ֛קIsaacProper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Subject of וַיִּקְרָאיִצְחָק (H3327), the patriarch, son of Abraham; the one transferring the patriarchal blessing to Jacob.
אֶֽלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the person addressed in the summons.
יַעֲקֹ֖בJacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Object of אֶל (addressee)יַעֲקֹב (H3290), the patriarch, son of Isaac; here receiving paternal commission before departing for Aram.
וַיְבָ֣רֶךְblessedPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel 'to bless'; the Piel is the standard blessing-speech act, effecting benefit through authoritative declaration.
אֹת֑וֹ[obj] himobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (him)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi with 3ms suffix, marking Jacob as the definite direct object of the blessing.
וַיְצַוֵּ֨הוּ֙charged himPiel wayyiqtol 3ms + 3ms suffix · צָוָה (H6680)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to charge, command'; implies authoritative commissioning, here immediately followed by the speech it introduces.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרsaidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say, speak'; standard speech-introduction before the charge itself.
ל֔וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְ (l)Indirect object of וַיֹּאמֶרלְ preposition with 3ms suffix indicating the addressee of the speech.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (prohibitive)לֹא (H3808) absolute negation; with imperfect expresses a prohibition or strong negative command.
תִקַּ֥חshall takeQal impf 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (prohibition)→ Yiqtol: modal — prohibitive with לֹאלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, acquire'; here the verb for taking a wife, the central concern of the marriage prohibition.
אִשָּׁ֖הa wifeN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object of תִקַּחאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; the object of the prohibition; the issue of endogamy vs. exogamy is central to the patriarchal narrative.
מִבְּנ֥וֹתfrom daughters ofprep מִן + N f pl constr · בַּת (H1323)Partitive prepositional phrase (source)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; pl. constr. with מִן specifies the prohibited pool of marriage partners.
כְּנָֽעַןCanaanProper noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Construct chain (genitival) — daughters of Canaanכְּנַעַן (H3667), the land and people of Canaan; Canaanite wives are prohibited on grounds of ethnic-covenantal separateness (cf. Gen 24:3).
2

ק֥וּם לֵךְ֙ פַּדֶּ֣נָֽה אֲרָ֔ם בֵּ֥יתָה בְתוּאֵ֖ל אֲבִ֣י אִמֶּ֑ךָ וְקַח לְךָ֤ מִשָּׁם֙ אִשָּׁ֔ה מִבְּנ֥וֹת לָבָ֖ן אֲחִ֥י אִמֶּֽךָ

"Rise, go to Paddan-aram, to the house of Bethuel, your mother's father, and take from there for yourself a wife from the daughters of Laban, your mother's brother."

Charge specified: Jacob is directed to the maternal kin-house for a wifeק֥וּם
Isaac's command becomes concrete in destination and purpose. The journey is tied to the maternal kin network and the marriage instruction becomes programmatic for what follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ק֥וּםAriseQal impv 2ms · קוּם (H6965)Imperative (command to action)→ Volitional: direct command initiating a new movementקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, arise'; as an imperative functions as an inchoative command urging the start of departure.
לֵךְ֙goQal impv 2ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Imperative (second command in series)→ Volitional: direct command to travelהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; paired with קוּם, the two imperatives create an urgent call to depart immediately.
פַּדֶּ֣נָֽהto Paddan-aramProper noun + directional ה · פַּדַּן אֲרָם (H6307)Directional goal of לֵךְפַּדַּן אֲרָם (H6307) 'Paddan-aram,' a region in upper Mesopotamia associated with Laban's household; directional suffix ה marks motion toward.
אֲרָ֔םAramProper noun · אֲרָם (H6307)Appositive (second member of place name)אֲרָם (H6307) 'Aram,' the broader region of Syria-Mesopotamia; in apposition completing the compound place name Paddan-aram.
בֵּ֥יתָהto the house ofN m sg constr + directional ה · בַּיִת (H1004)Directional prepositional phrase specifying goalבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; directional ה; construct with the following proper noun identifies the patriarchal household as the destination.
בְתוּאֵ֖לBethuelProper noun · בְּתוּאֵל (H1328)Construct chain (genitival) — house of Bethuelבְּתוּאֵל (H1328), Rebekah's father and Laban's father; the maternal grandfather named as head of the kinship household.
אֲבִ֣יfather ofN m sg constr · אָב (H1)Appositional construct identifying Bethuelאָב (H1) 'father'; construct form linking Bethuel to his daughter Rebekah, clarifying the kinship line for Jacob.
אִמֶּ֑ךָyour motherN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · אֵם (H517)Construct chain — father of your motherאֵם (H517) 'mother'; 2ms suffix ties Rebekah to Jacob, grounding the destination in maternal kinship.
וְקַחand takeconj וְ + Qal impv 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Coordinated imperative (purpose of journey)→ Volitional: command to take a wifeלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, acquire'; impv with וְ adds the purpose of the journey: wife-taking within the permitted kinship network.
לְךָ֤for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְ (l)Ethical dative (reflexive benefit)לְ with 2ms suffix; the ethical dative emphasizes that the wife-taking is for Jacob's own account.
מִשָּׁם֙from thereprep מִן + adv · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; with מִן marks the source location: from Paddan-aram.
אִשָּׁ֔הa wifeN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object of וְקַחאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; the intended object of the journey to the maternal kin household.
מִבְּנ֥וֹתfrom daughters ofprep מִן + N f pl constr · בַּת (H1323)Partitive prepositional phrase (source)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; pl. constr. with מִן specifies the permitted pool of wives, contrasting v.1's prohibition.
לָבָ֖ןLabanProper noun · לָבָן (H3837)Construct chain (genitival) — daughters of Labanלָבָן (H3837), Jacob's maternal uncle; his daughters are the sanctioned marriage partners within the endogamy requirement.
אֲחִ֥יbrother ofN m sg constr · אָח (H251)Appositional construct identifying Labanאָח (H251) 'brother'; construct form identifying Laban as Rebekah's brother, reinforcing the kinship tie.
אִמֶּֽךָyour motherN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · אֵם (H517)Construct chain — brother of your motherאֵם (H517) 'mother'; parallel to earlier, anchoring the instruction to Jacob's maternal line.
3

וְאֵ֤ל שַׁדַּי֙ יְבָרֵ֣ךְ אֹֽתְךָ֔ וְיַפְרְךָ֖ וְיַרְבֶּ֑ךָ וְהָיִ֖יתָ לִקְהַ֥ל עַמִּֽים

"And may El Shaddai bless you, make you fruitful, and multiply you, that you may become an assembly of peoples."

Blessing invoked: El Shaddai is called upon to grant fruitfulness and peoplehoodוְאֵ֤ל
The scene moves from prohibition and command to positive patriarchal blessing. The invocation of El Shaddai and the language of fruitfulness extend the ancestral promise onto Jacob in explicit covenantal terms.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְאֵ֤לAnd Elconj וְ + Proper noun · אֵל (H410)Subject of jussive יְבָרֵךְ (divine name)אֵל (H410) 'God, the Mighty One'; in construct with שַׁדַּי, appears in the patriarchal blessing formula characteristic of Genesis (17:1; 35:11).
שַׁדַּי֙ShaddaiProper noun (divine epithet) · שַׁדַּי (H7706)Construct chain — El Shaddai (compound divine name)שַׁדַּי (H7706) 'Shaddai,' the characteristic patriarchal divine epithet; meaning debated (possibly 'Almighty'); marks the divine guarantor of patriarchal fruitfulness.
יְבָרֵ֣ךְbless youPiel jussive 3ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Main predicate (jussive blessing invocation)→ Yiqtol: jussive — optative wish/prayerבָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel 'to bless'; jussive expresses Isaac's prayer-wish that El Shaddai extend the blessing to Jacob.
אֹֽתְךָ֔[obj] youobj marker + 2ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (you)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi with 2ms suffix, marking Jacob as the direct object of the blessing.
וְיַפְרְךָ֖make you fruitfulconj וְ + Hiphil jussive 3ms + 2ms suffix · פָּרָה (H6509)Coordinated jussive (blessing continuation)→ Yiqtol: jussive — optative wishפָּרָה (H6509) Hiphil 'to make fruitful'; Hiphil causative echoes פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ (Gen 1:28); here the creation blessing applied to Jacob as covenantal heir.
וְיַרְבֶּ֑ךָmultiply youconj וְ + Hiphil jussive 3ms + 2ms suffix · רָבָה (H7235)Coordinated jussive (blessing continuation)→ Yiqtol: jussive — optative wishרָבָה (H7235) Hiphil 'to multiply, make numerous'; paired with פָּרָה in the standard creation-patriarchal blessing formula.
וְהָיִ֖יתָthat you may becomeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal of result (consequential to jussives)→ Weqatal: consequential future — result of the blessingהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; weqatal after the jussives states the blessed outcome: becoming an assembly of peoples.
לִקְהַ֥לan assembly ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · קָהָל (H6951)Predicate complement with לְ (become + לְ)קָהָל (H6951) 'assembly, congregation, community'; construct with עַמִּים envisions a gathered multitude; the term carries civic-cultic weight in later Israel.
עַמִּֽיםpeoplesN m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Construct chain (genitival) — assembly of peoplesעַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; pl. abs. עַמִּים envisions Jacob becoming a great collective entity, cf. the seed-promise expansion of ch. 17.
4

וְיִֽתֶּן לְךָ֙ אֶת בִּרְכַּ֣ת אַבְרָהָ֔ם לְךָ֖ וּלְזַרְעֲךָ֣ אִתָּ֑ךְ לְרִשְׁתְּךָ֙ אֶת אֶ֣רֶץ מְגֻרֶ֔יךָ אֲשֶׁר נָתַ֥ן אֱלֹהִ֖ים לְאַבְרָהָֽם

"And may he give to you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your offspring with you, so that you may possess the land of your sojournings, which God gave to Abraham."

Blessing expanded: Abraham's inheritance of land and seed is named directlyוְיִֽתֶּן
The blessing sharpens by naming Abraham directly. Land, offspring, and inherited promise are gathered together so that Jacob is marked as bearer of the Abrahamic line.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְיִֽתֶּןmay he giveconj וְ + Qal jussive 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Coordinated jussive (blessing continuation)→ Yiqtol: jussive — optative wishנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, grant'; jussive continues the blessing invocation, now specifying the content: the blessing of Abraham.
לְךָ֙to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְ (l)Indirect object of וְיִתֶּןלְ with 2ms suffix marking Jacob as the recipient of the Abrahamic blessing grant.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the following noun as the definite direct object of וְיִתֶּן.
בִּרְכַּ֣תblessing ofN f sg constr · בְּרָכָה (H1293)Direct object of וְיִתֶּן (construct head)בְּרָכָה (H1293) 'blessing'; constr. בִּרְכַּת links the gift to its originator Abraham, identifying this as the programmatic patriarchal promise cluster.
אַבְרָהָ֔םAbrahamProper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Construct chain (genitival) — blessing of Abrahamאַבְרָהָם (H85), the founding patriarch; naming him here makes explicit that Jacob is the designated heir of the Abrahamic promise.
לְךָ֖to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְ (l)Repeated indirect object (emphatic apposition)Repetition of לְךָ for emphasis; stresses that the Abrahamic blessing is specifically and personally transferred to Jacob.
וּלְזַרְעֲךָ֣and to your offspringconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · זֶרַע (H2233)Coordinated indirect object (extended recipients)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; the promise is collective, extending beyond Jacob to his descendants — the key covenantal term from Gen 12:7 onward.
אִתָּ֑ךְwith youprep + 2ms suffix · אֵת (H854)Accompanying prepositional phraseאֵת (H854) 'with'; distinguishes between Jacob as the primary recipient and his offspring as the secondary, who receive with him.
לְרִשְׁתְּךָ֙to possessprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 2ms suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Infinitive of purpose (goal of the blessing)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — that you may possessיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit, dispossess'; inf. constr. with לְ expresses the purpose of the blessing: actual possession of the covenantal land.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking אֶרֶץ as the definite direct object of the infinitive לְרִשְׁתְּךָ.
אֶ֣רֶץland ofN (c) sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of לְרִשְׁתְּךָ (construct head)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; constr. with מְגֻרֶיךָ; the land is not merely geographic but the covenantal inheritance promised to Abraham.
מְגֻרֶ֔יךָyour sojourningsN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · מָגוּר (H4033)Construct chain (genitival) — land of your sojourningsמָגוּר (H4033) 'sojourning, temporary dwelling'; from גוּר 'to sojourn'; the phrase acknowledges the patriarchs' alien status in the land even as it promises possession of it.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducerאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces a clause identifying the land as what God gave Abraham, grounding the promise in prior divine action.
נָתַ֥ןgaveQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive prior giftנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, grant'; Qal perfect states as accomplished fact God's prior grant of the land to Abraham, grounding the new blessing in covenantal history.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of נָתַן (relative clause)אֱלֹהִים (H430) plural in form but takes singular verbs; here the subject of the completed grant, linking the promise from Abraham forward to Jacob.
לְאַבְרָהָֽםto Abrahamprep לְ + Proper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Indirect object of נָתַןאַבְרָהָם (H85) with לְ; marks Abraham as the original recipient of the land gift, making Jacob the heir of an already-established divine grant.
5

וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח יִצְחָק֙ אֶֽת יַעֲקֹ֔ב וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ פַּדֶּ֣נָֽה אֲרָ֑ם אֶל לָבָ֤ן בֶּן בְּתוּאֵל֙ הָֽאֲרַמִּ֔י אֲחִ֣י רִבְקָ֔ה אֵ֥ם יַעֲקֹ֖ב וְעֵשָֽׂו

So Isaac sent Jacob away, and he went to Paddan-aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, brother of Rebekah, mother of Jacob and Esau.

Commission enacted: Jacob departs toward Aram under the paternal blessingוַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח
The narrative answers Isaac's charge with action. The expanded identification of Laban and Rebekah reinforces the kinship lines and keeps both Jacob and Esau in view before the shift to Esau's reaction.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤חsent awayQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (action completed)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send, send away'; the narrative carries through on Isaac's charge: the sending is enacted, not merely commanded.
יִצְחָק֙IsaacProper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Subject of וַיִּשְׁלַחיִצְחָק (H3327), the patriarch; his act of sending formally completes the commission begun in v.1.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking Jacob as the definite direct object of the sending.
יַעֲקֹ֔בJacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Direct object of וַיִּשְׁלַחיַעֲקֹב (H3290); the one sent; his departure is now narrated as a completed fact matching the imperative of v.2.
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְand he wentQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; the narrative follows Jacob's movement, answering the impv. of v.2 with actual travel.
פַּדֶּ֣נָֽהto Paddan-aramProper noun + directional ה · פַּדַּן אֲרָם (H6307)Directional goal of וַיֵּלֶךְפַּדַּן אֲרָם (H6307) 'Paddan-aram'; directional ה confirms arrival at the commanded destination; the goal of v.2 is realized.
אֲרָ֑םAramProper noun · אֲרָם (H6307)Appositive (second member of place name)אֲרָם (H6307) 'Aram'; appositive completing the compound place name Paddan-aram.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (destination)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; specifies the person Jacob went to within Paddan-aram.
לָבָ֤ןLabanProper noun · לָבָן (H3837)Object of אֶל (destination)לָבָן (H3837), Jacob's maternal uncle; named as the immediate personal destination in accordance with Isaac's command.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Appositional construct identifying Labanבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct identifies Laban's lineage within the broader kinship structure.
בְּתוּאֵל֙BethuelProper noun · בְּתוּאֵל (H1328)Construct chain (genitival) — son of Bethuelבְּתוּאֵל (H1328), Rebekah's father; naming him reinforces the kinship credentials of the destination household.
הָֽאֲרַמִּ֔יthe Arameanart + gentilic adj m sg abs · אֲרַמִּי (H761)Appositional gentilic modifier of Bethuelאֲרַמִּי (H761) 'Aramean'; the gentilic marks ethnic identity, confirming the destination is outside Canaan and within the permitted kinship group.
אֲחִ֣יbrother ofN m sg constr · אָח (H251)Appositional construct identifying Laban furtherאָח (H251) 'brother'; construct identifying Laban as Rebekah's brother, completing the chain of kinship identifications.
רִבְקָ֔הRebekahProper noun · רִבְקָה (H7259)Construct chain (genitival) — brother of Rebekahרִבְקָה (H7259), Jacob's mother; naming her anchors the kinship identification to Jacob and keeps her in view before the shift to Esau.
אֵ֥םmother ofN f sg constr · אֵם (H517)Appositional construct (Rebekah identified as mother)אֵם (H517) 'mother'; construct links Rebekah to both sons, holding Jacob and Esau together in the closing identification.
יַעֲקֹ֖בJacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Construct chain (genitival) — mother of Jacobיַעֲקֹב (H3290); named first as heir being sent; the pairing with Esau prepares the narrative transition to Esau's reaction.
וְעֵשָֽׂוand Esauconj וְ + Proper noun · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Coordinated complement (second son of Rebekah)עֵשָׂו (H6215), Jacob's brother; mentioned last, positioning him as the next narrative focus in vv. 6–9.
6

וַיַּ֣רְא עֵשָׂ֗ו כִּֽי בֵרַ֣ךְ יִצְחָק֮ אֶֽת יַעֲקֹב֒ וְשִׁלַּ֤ח אֹתוֹ֙ פַּדֶּ֣נָֽה אֲרָ֔ם לָקַֽחַת ל֥וֹ מִשָּׁ֖ם אִשָּׁ֑ה בְּבָרֲכ֣וֹ אֹת֔וֹ וַיְצַ֤ו עָלָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹֽא תִקַּ֥ח אִשָּׁ֖ה מִבְּנ֥וֹת כְּנָֽעַן

Now Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob and sent him to Paddan-aram to take a wife for himself from there, and that when he blessed him he had charged him, saying, "You shall not take a wife from the daughters of Canaan,"

Perspective shift: Esau observes the blessing, the charge, and the sendingוַיַּ֣רְא
The narration turns from Jacob's commissioned departure to Esau's interpretation of events. The verse rehearses Isaac's blessing and command from Esau's vantage in preparation for his responsive but partial imitation.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וַיַּ֣רְאsawQal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol opening perspective shift→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, perceive'; begins the transition to Esau's point of view, marking cognition and perception rather than simple physical sight.
עֵשָׂ֗וEsauProper noun · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Subject of וַיַּרְאעֵשָׂו (H6215), Jacob's twin brother; introduced as the perceiving subject whose responsive action follows from what he observes.
כִּֽיthatconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (content of perception)כִּי (H3588) 'that, because'; here complementizer introducing the content of Esau's observation.
בֵרַ֣ךְhad blessedPiel perf 3ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb (כִּי clause)→ Perfective: completed blessing actבָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel 'to bless'; perfect from Esau's vantage: the blessing is already an accomplished fact he is now observing.
יִצְחָק֮IsaacProper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Subject of בֵרַךְיִצְחָק (H3327); the agent of the blessing Esau now recognizes; his paternal authority is the focus of Esau's perception.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking Jacob as the definite direct object of the blessing.
יַעֲקֹב֒JacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Direct object of בֵרַךְיַעֲקֹב (H3290); the recipient of the blessing Esau observes; his privileged status relative to Esau is implied.
וְשִׁלַּ֤חand had sentconj וְ + Piel perf 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Coordinated predicate (second content of כִּי clause)→ Perfective: completed sending actשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send away'; Piel has dismissive or purposive nuance; Esau sees both the blessing and the sending as facts.
אֹתוֹ֙[obj] himobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (him)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix marking Jacob as the object of the sending.
פַּדֶּ֣נָֽהto Paddan-aramProper noun + directional ה · פַּדַּן אֲרָם (H6307)Directional goal of וְשִׁלַּחפַּדַּן אֲרָם (H6307); Esau perceives the specific destination, noting it is outside Canaan.
אֲרָ֔םAramProper noun · אֲרָם (H6307)Appositive (second member of place name)אֲרָם (H6307); appositive completing the place name as Esau understands it.
לָקַֽחַתto takeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · לָקַח (H3947)Infinitive of purpose→ Infinitive construct: purpose — to take a wifeלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, acquire'; inf. constr. with לְ states the purpose of the sending as Esau perceives it: wife-taking.
ל֥וֹfor himselfprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְ (l)Ethical dative (reflexive benefit)לְ with 3ms suffix; ethical dative, emphasizing that Jacob takes a wife for his own account, in obedience to his father.
מִשָּׁ֖םfrom thereprep מִן + adv · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; with מִן specifying the source: from Paddan-aram, confirming the endogamous intent.
אִשָּׁ֑הa wifeN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Object of לָקַחַתאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; Esau now perceives that the marriage instruction is the operative issue.
בְּבָרֲכ֣וֹwhen he blessed himprep בְּ + Piel inf constr + 3ms suffix · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Temporal infinitive phrase→ Infinitive construct: temporal — at the time of blessingבָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel; inf. constr. with בְּ creates a temporal clause: 'when he blessed him,' referring back to the blessing in vv. 1–4.
אֹת֔וֹ[obj] himobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker of the infinitiveאֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix; marks Jacob as the object within the temporal infinitive clause.
וַיְצַ֤וchargedPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to charge, command'; Esau's perception now narrows to the specific charge about Canaanite wives.
עָלָיו֙concerning himprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (charge directed at him)עַל (H5921) 'upon, concerning'; with 3ms suffix indicates the charge was directed specifically at Jacob.
לֵאמֹ֔רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Lamed-infinitive introducing quoted speech→ Infinitive construct: manner — introducing direct speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; inf. constr. with לְ is the standard formula לֵאמֹר introducing a verbatim quotation.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (prohibitive)לֹא (H3808) absolute negation; within the quoted prohibition, creates the same formula as v.1.
תִקַּ֥חshall takeQal impf 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (prohibition — quoted from v.1)→ Yiqtol: modal — prohibitive with לֹאלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, acquire'; quoted repetition of the prohibition from v.1, now as Esau hears it in retrospect.
אִשָּׁ֖הa wifeN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object of תִקַּח (prohibition)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; the object of the repeated prohibition Esau is now processing.
מִבְּנ֥וֹתfrom daughters ofprep מִן + N f pl constr · בַּת (H1323)Partitive prepositional phrase (source)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; pl. constr. with מִן; specifies the prohibited category Esau now understands.
כְּנָֽעַןCanaanProper noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Construct chain (genitival) — daughters of Canaanכְּנַעַן (H3667); Esau registers that the prohibition targets Canaanite wives — yet his own wives are Canaanite, setting up his responsive move.
7

וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע יַעֲקֹ֔ב אֶל אָבִ֖יו וְאֶל אִמּ֑וֹ וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ פַּדֶּ֥נָֽה אֲרָֽם

and that Jacob had listened to his father and to his mother and had gone to Paddan-aram.

Perception continued: Esau recognizes Jacob's obedience to both parentsוַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע
The report continues what Esau has understood: Jacob has obeyed both father and mother and gone to Aram. Obedience, not mere relocation, is what Esau now sees.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣עhad listenedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (content of Esau's perception)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; here marks Jacob's obedience as the key inference Esau draws — hearing = heeding.
יַעֲקֹ֔בJacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of וַיִּשְׁמַעיַעֲקֹב (H3290); Jacob's obedience to both parents is the contrast Esau now perceives and attempts to imitate externally.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (object of hearing/obeying)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; שָׁמַע אֶל means 'to listen to, obey' — Jacob obeyed his father.
אָבִ֖יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Object of אֶל (one obeyed)אָב (H1) 'father'; 3ms suffix; Jacob's obedience to his father is explicit, in contrast to Esau's prior defiance in wife-choice.
וְאֶלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinated prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) with וְ; extends the obedience to a second authority — the mother.
אִמּ֑וֹhis motherN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אֵם (H517)Object of וְאֶל (second authority obeyed)אֵם (H517) 'mother'; 3ms suffix; both parents are named as the authority Jacob obeyed — notable since Rebekah's role in the deception is part of the backdrop.
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְand had goneQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; Jacob's actual departure, confirming the obedience Esau observes.
פַּדֶּ֥נָֽהto Paddan-aramProper noun + directional ה · פַּדַּן אֲרָם (H6307)Directional goal of וַיֵּלֶךְפַּדַּן אֲרָם (H6307); the confirmed destination; the directional ה marks purposive travel to the commanded location.
אֲרָֽםAramProper noun · אֲרָם (H6307)Appositive (second member of place name)אֲרָם (H6307); completing the place name Paddan-aram; Esau now has the full picture of Jacob's commission and obedience.
8

וַיַּ֣רְא עֵשָׂ֔ו כִּ֥י רָע֖וֹת בְּנ֣וֹת כְּנָ֑עַן בְּעֵינֵ֖י יִצְחָ֥ק אָבִֽיו

Then Esau saw that the daughters of Canaan were displeasing in the eyes of Isaac his father.

Inference drawn: Esau recognizes the negative valuation of Canaanite wivesוַיַּ֣רְא
Esau reaches a practical conclusion from what he has observed. The issue is stated evaluatively from Isaac's perspective: the daughters of Canaan are bad in his father's eyes.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיַּ֣רְאsawQal wayyiqtol 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol opening Esau's further inference→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see, perceive'; a second act of perception by Esau — now focused on his father's evaluation of Canaanite women.
עֵשָׂ֔וEsauProper noun · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Subject of וַיַּרְאעֵשָׂו (H6215); still the perceiving subject, now drawing a conclusion about his own existing marriages.
כִּ֥יthatconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer (content of perception)כִּי (H3588) 'that'; introduces the content of Esau's inference about the Canaanite daughters.
רָע֖וֹתdispleasingAdj f pl abs · רָע (H7451)Predicate adjective (verbless clause)רָע (H7451) 'bad, evil, displeasing'; f. pl. agreeing with בְּנוֹת; 'evil in the eyes of' idiomatically means 'displeasing to.'
בְּנ֣וֹתdaughters ofN f pl constr · בַּת (H1323)Subject of verbless predicationבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; pl. constr.; the Canaanite daughters are the subject of the negative evaluation Esau now grasps.
כְּנָ֑עַןCanaanProper noun · כְּנַעַן (H3667)Construct chain (genitival) — daughters of Canaanכְּנַעַן (H3667); the people Esau's existing wives come from, now recognized as problematic in his father's eyes.
בְּעֵינֵ֖יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N (c) du constr · עַיִן (H5869)Prepositional phrase (standard idiom for evaluation)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; du. constr. with בְּ; 'in the eyes of X' is the standard idiom for X's subjective evaluation or approval.
יִצְחָ֥קIsaacProper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Construct chain (genitival) — eyes of Isaacיִצְחָק (H3327); the evaluator whose perspective Esau is now registering; his father's displeasure motivates Esau's responsive action.
אָבִֽיוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָב (H1)Appositional modifier of Isaacאָב (H1) 'father'; 3ms suffix; the apposition 'Isaac his father' reinforces paternal authority as the reference point of Esau's perception.
9

וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ עֵשָׂ֖ו אֶל יִשְׁמָעֵ֑אל וַיִּקַּ֡ח אֶֽת מָחֲלַ֣ת בַּת יִשְׁמָעֵ֨אל בֶּן אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֲח֧וֹת נְבָי֛וֹת עַל נָשָׁ֖יו ל֥וֹ לְאִשָּֽׁה

So Esau went to Ishmael and took Mahalath daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son, sister of Nebaioth, in addition to his wives, as his wife.

Responsive action: Esau adds an Ishmaelite marriage in answer to what he has perceivedוַיֵּ֥לֶךְ
Esau acts on his inference by taking an Ishmaelite wife in addition to his existing wives. The move shows a measure of responsiveness to parental preference, though it remains external to the covenantal obedience seen in Jacob.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיֵּ֥לֶךְwentQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (Esau's responsive action)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; Esau's action in response to his perception; he moves toward the Ishmaelite line as an attempted remedy.
עֵשָׂ֖וEsauProper noun · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Subject of וַיֵּלֶךְעֵשָׂו (H6215); the ironic actor — he perceives correctly but responds by imitation rather than by entering the covenantal line.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; Esau's movement is toward Ishmael's branch of the family, outside the covenant line.
יִשְׁמָעֵ֑אלIshmaelProper noun · יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458)Object of אֶל (destination person)יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458), Abraham's son by Hagar; not in the covenant line; Esau's choice of this branch shows perception without covenantal discernment.
וַיִּקַּ֡חand tookQal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, acquire'; the standard wife-taking verb; Esau now imitates the form of Jacob's commission without its covenantal substance.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking Mahalath as the definite direct object.
מָחֲלַ֣תMahalathProper noun · מָחֲלַת (H4258)Direct object of וַיִּקַּחמָחֲלַת (H4258), the specific Ishmaelite wife Esau takes; in Gen 36:3 called Basemath, possibly two name traditions for the same woman.
בַּתdaughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Appositional construct identifying Mahalathבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; constr. identifies Mahalath through her father and grandfather.
יִשְׁמָעֵ֨אלIshmaelProper noun · יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458)Construct chain (genitival) — daughter of Ishmaelיִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458); father of Mahalath; the Ishmaelite lineage is specified to show Esau's deliberate move outside Canaan, but still outside the covenantal heir line.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Appositional construct (Ishmael's lineage)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct extending the genealogy to Abraham, acknowledging Ishmael's Abrahamic descent.
אַבְרָהָ֜םAbrahamProper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Construct chain (genitival) — son of Abrahamאַבְרָהָם (H85); noting Ishmael's Abrahamic descent perhaps legitimates the choice in Esau's mind, though the covenant runs through Isaac not Ishmael.
אֲח֧וֹתsister ofN f sg constr · אָחוֹת (H269)Appositional construct (additional identification)אָחוֹת (H269) 'sister'; constr. adds the identification via Nebaioth, the firstborn of Ishmael (Gen 25:13), further anchoring Mahalath in the Ishmaelite kinship system.
נְבָי֛וֹתNebaiothProper noun · נְבָיוֹת (H5032)Construct chain (genitival) — sister of Nebaiothנְבָיוֹת (H5032), firstborn son of Ishmael (Gen 25:13); naming him as Mahalath's brother further specifies her Ishmaelite identity.
עַלin addition toprep · עַל (H5921)Additive prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, in addition to'; the marriage is additive — Esau does not replace his existing wives, so this is a third wife alongside his Canaanite wives.
נָשָׁ֖יוhis wivesN f pl constr + 3ms suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Object of עַל (base to which Mahalath is added)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; pl. with 3ms suffix; Esau's existing Canaanite wives remain, making this addition rather than substitution.
ל֥וֹfor himselfprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְ (l)Ethical dative (reflexive benefit)לְ with 3ms suffix; ethical dative marking the wife-taking as Esau's personal action for his own account.
לְאִשָּֽׁהas a wifeprep לְ + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Predicate complement (become + לְ — specification of role)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; לְ + noun specifying the capacity in which Mahalath is taken, the standard formula for marriage in narrative.
10

וַיֵּצֵ֥א יַעֲקֹ֖ב מִבְּאֵ֣ר שָׁ֑בַע וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ חָרָֽנָה

And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba and went toward Haran.

Journey scene opened: Jacob departs the landward household sphere for Haranוַיֵּצֵ֥א
The verse moves the narrative away from the tensions behind him and sets Jacob on the road. The paired movement verbs give a clean departure notice that opens the exile-journey scene.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיֵּצֵ֥אwent outQal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (journey opens)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out, depart'; marks Jacob's exit from the household/land sphere; departure from Beer-sheba is the narrative opening of the exile-journey.
יַעֲקֹ֖בJacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of וַיֵּצֵאיַעֲקֹב (H3290); the narrative protagonist now focused as a solitary traveler, stripped of household and security.
מִבְּאֵ֣רfrom Beer-prep מִן + Proper noun · בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע (H884)Ablative prepositional phrase (point of departure)בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע (H884) 'Beer-sheba,' the settlement in the south of Canaan where Isaac dwelt; departure from there marks exit from the promised land.
שָׁ֑בַעshebaProper noun · בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע (H884)Appositive (second element of compound place name)שֶׁבַע (H884) 'Sheba'; second element of Beer-sheba; the name means 'well of the oath/seven,' connected to the covenant with Abimelech (Gen 21:31).
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְand wentQal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; pairs with יָצָא to give a clean departure notice: out from Beer-sheba and traveling toward Haran.
חָרָֽנָהtoward HaranProper noun + directional ה · חָרָן (H2771)Directional goal of וַיֵּלֶךְחָרָן (H2771) 'Haran,' the city in upper Mesopotamia; directional ה marks motion toward; Jacob's destination is the same region to which Abraham originally migrated (Gen 11:31).
11

וַיִּפְגַּ֨ע בַּמָּק֜וֹם וַיָּ֤לֶן שָׁם֙ כִּי בָ֣א הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ וַיִּקַּח֙ מֵאַבְנֵ֣י הַמָּק֔וֹם וַיָּ֖שֶׂם מְרַֽאֲשֹׁתָ֑יו וַיִּשְׁכַּ֖ב בַּמָּק֥וֹם הַהֽוּא

He came upon the place and lodged there, because the sun had set; and he took one of the stones of the place and put it at his head, and lay down in that place.

Night halt established: Jacob stops at an unnamed place and settles thereוַיִּפְגַּ֨ע
The forward movement halts at a particular place that will soon become charged with revelation. Sunset, stone, and sleep slow the narrative and prepare for the dream theophany.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיִּפְגַּ֨עcame uponQal wayyiqtol 3ms · פָּגַע (H6293)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּגַע (H6293) 'to meet, encounter, reach'; here with בְּ means to arrive at or light upon a place; the word suggests a chance encounter that will prove anything but coincidental.
בַּמָּק֜וֹםthe placeprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Locative prepositional phraseמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; the word recurs five times in vv.11–19, becoming a loaded term; this seemingly anonymous place will be revealed as charged with divine presence.
וַיָּ֤לֶןlodgedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · לוּן (H3885)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלוּן (H3885) 'to lodge, spend the night'; the overnight halt is not merely practical — the night becomes the setting for the decisive dream theophany.
שָׁם֙thereadv · שָׁם (H8033)Adverb of placeשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; anaphoric, referring back to the place; reinforces the specificity of the location before explaining why Jacob stopped.
כִּיbecauseconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; introduces the reason for lodging: the sun had set.
בָ֣אhad setQal perf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (כִּי clause — reason)→ Perfective: completed act (sunset)בּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; idiomatically 'the sun came/entered' = the sun set; the temporal detail explains the forced overnight stop.
הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁthe sunart + N (c) sg abs · שֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121)Subject of בָּאשֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121) 'sun'; with article; the sun's setting is an ordinary detail that the narrative will transform into the occasion of extraordinary revelation.
וַיִּקַּח֙and tookQal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, acquire'; Jacob takes a stone as a pillow — the same stone that will become a commemorative pillar in the morning.
מֵאַבְנֵ֣יfrom stones ofprep מִן + N f pl constr · אֶבֶן (H68)Partitive prepositional phrase (source)אֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; pl. constr. with מִן; the stones of the place are available material; one of these becomes the sacred pillar.
הַמָּק֔וֹםthe placeart + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Construct chain (genitival) — stones of the placeמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; third occurrence of the term; the place is defined by its stones before being redefined by the divine encounter.
וַיָּ֖שֶׂםplacedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שִׂים (H7760)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place, set'; Jacob places the stone at his head as a headrest; the same root recurs in v.18 when the stone becomes a pillar.
מְרַֽאֲשֹׁתָ֑יוat his headN f pl constr + 3ms suffix · מְרַאֲשׁוֹת (H4763)Locative noun phrase (place of the stone)מְרַאֲשׁוֹת (H4763) 'head-place, headrest'; from רֹאשׁ 'head'; a rare noun indicating the place at one's head during sleep; the stone serves as both headrest and future monument.
וַיִּשְׁכַּ֖בlay downQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁכַב (H7901)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down'; Jacob's sleep is the precondition for the dream; the verb prepares for the revelation of v.12.
בַּמָּק֥וֹםin the placeprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Locative prepositional phraseמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; fourth occurrence; the repetition of 'the place' in a single verse is striking and deliberate, marking the site as theologically charged.
הַהֽוּאthatart + demonstrative pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Demonstrative modifier of הַמָּקוֹםהוּא (H1931) 'that' (demonstrative); with article; 'that place' specifies the same location; the demonstrative will recur in v.17 when Jacob names the site.
12

וַֽיַּחֲלֹ֗ם וְהִנֵּ֤ה סֻלָּם֙ מֻצָּ֣ב אַ֔רְצָה וְרֹאשׁ֖וֹ מַגִּ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמָ֑יְמָה וְהִנֵּה֙ מַלְאֲכֵ֣י אֱלֹהִ֔ים עֹלִ֥ים וְיֹרְדִ֖ים בּֽוֹ

And he dreamed, and behold, a stairway was set on the earth, with its top reaching the heavens; and behold, the messengers of God were ascending and descending on it.

Dream revelation opened: the connection between earth and heaven is disclosedוַֽיַּחֲלֹ֗ם
The dream opens with repeated behold-markers that build the vision in stages: stairway, cosmic reach, then divine messengers in motion. An ordinary sleeping place is thus recast as a site of heavenly access.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַֽיַּחֲלֹ֗םdreamedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · חָלַם (H2492)Wayyiqtol opening dream vision→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָלַם (H2492) 'to dream'; opens the theophanic dream sequence; in patriarchal narratives the dream is a primary medium of divine communication.
וְהִנֵּ֤הand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (introducing vision element)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; draws the hearer/reader into the scene with immediate vividness; the first of three הִנֵּה clauses in vv.12–13 that build the vision.
סֻלָּם֙a stairwayN m sg abs · סֻלָּם (H5551)Subject of the vision nominal clauseסֻלָּם (H5551) 'stairway, ramp, ladder'; hapax legomenon; possibly cognate to Akkadian simmiltu 'stairway/ramp'; the image is of a structure allowing movement between earth and heaven.
מֻצָּ֣בset upHophal ptc m sg abs · נָצַב (H5324)Participial predicate (describing the stairway)→ Participial: stative — the stairway stands as a fixed structureנָצַב (H5324) Hophal 'to be set up, be stationed'; passive participle; the stairway is presented as already in place, not being erected — it simply appears, set firm.
אַ֔רְצָהto the earthN (c) sg abs + directional ה · אֶרֶץ (H776)Directional complement (base of stairway)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; directional ה; the stairway is grounded on the earth, at the very spot where Jacob sleeps.
וְרֹאשׁ֖וֹand its topconj וְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Subject of the second member of the nominal clauseרֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head, top'; 3ms suffix referring to the stairway; the top of the structure reaching heaven is the climactic point of the vision's first element.
מַגִּ֣יעַreachingHiphil ptc m sg abs · נָגַע (H5060)Participial predicate (describing the top)→ Participial: ongoing state — it reaches continuouslyנָגַע (H5060) Hiphil 'to reach, touch'; ptc. presents the reaching as a continuous state; earth and heaven are in permanent contact at this point.
הַשָּׁמָ֑יְמָהto the heavensart + N m pl abs + directional ה · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Directional goal of מַגִּיעַשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; directional ה; the stairway spans the cosmos from earth below to heaven above, making this place a cosmic axis.
וְהִנֵּה֙and beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (introducing second vision element)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; the second וְהִנֵּה in the vision builds excitement: first the stairway, now messengers in motion.
מַלְאֲכֵ֣יmessengers ofN m pl constr · מַלְאָךְ (H4397)Subject of עֹלִים וְיֹרְדִיםמַלְאָךְ (H4397) 'messenger, angel'; pl. constr. with אֱלֹהִים; divine messengers traverse the stairway, affirming unhindered divine-human communication at this site.
אֱלֹהִ֔יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival) — messengers of Godאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct with מַלְאֲכֵי; the messengers belong to the divine realm, confirming the stairway as a real conduit between the two worlds.
עֹלִ֥יםascendingQal ptc m pl abs · עָלָה (H5927)Participial predicate (motion on stairway)→ Participial: ongoing process — continuous movementעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; ptc. presents ascending as a continuous activity; the upward movement of divine messengers implies they carry reports or acts from earth to heaven.
וְיֹרְדִ֖יםand descendingconj וְ + Qal ptc m pl abs · יָרַד (H3381)Coordinated participial predicate (counter-motion)→ Participial: ongoing process — continuous movementיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down, descend'; ptc.; paired with עֹלִים to show bidirectional heavenly traffic, indicating sustained divine engagement with earth.
בּֽוֹon itprep בְּ + 3ms suffix · בְּ (b)Locative prepositional phrase (medium of movement)בְּ with 3ms suffix referring to the stairway; 'on it' — the stairway is the medium on which the divine messengers travel between realms.
13

וְהִנֵּ֨ה יְהוָ֜ה נִצָּ֣ב עָלָיו֮ וַיֹּאמַר֒ אֲנִ֣י יְהוָ֗ה אֱלֹהֵי֙ אַבְרָהָ֣ם אָבִ֔יךָ וֵאלֹהֵ֖י יִצְחָ֑ק הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֤ר אַתָּה֙ שֹׁכֵ֣ב עָלֶ֔יהָ לְךָ֥ אֶתְּנֶ֖נָּה וּלְזַרְעֶֽךָ

And behold, YHWH was standing above it, and he said, "I am YHWH, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you are lying I will give to you and to your offspring."

Divine self-disclosure: YHWH identifies himself and renews the land promiseוְהִנֵּ֨ה
The vision reaches its center when YHWH himself is seen standing above it. The speech identifies the speaker covenantally and reissues to Jacob the ancestral land promise in direct first-person form.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְהִנֵּ֨הand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (introducing YHWH's appearance)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; third and climactic occurrence in the vision sequence; after the stairway and the messengers, YHWH himself is disclosed.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHProper noun · יהוה (H3068)Subject of נִצָּב (or head of nominal clause)יהוה (H3068), the personal divine name; the covenant God of Israel appears at the theophanic climax, identifying himself with this place and this moment.
נִצָּ֣בstandingNiphal ptc m sg abs · נָצַב (H5324)Participial predicate (YHWH's posture)→ Participial: stative — ongoing standing presenceנָצַב (H5324) Niphal 'to stand, station oneself'; same root as מֻצָּב in v.12 for the stairway; YHWH stands — either above the stairway or beside Jacob; both readings affirm sovereign nearness.
עָלָיו֮above itprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (YHWH's position)עַל (H5921) 'upon, above, beside'; with 3ms suffix; ambiguous: YHWH stands above the stairway (sovereign over the cosmic connection) or beside Jacob (immediately present to him); both senses may be intended.
וַיֹּאמַר֒and saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol introducing divine speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say, speak'; introduces YHWH's direct speech — the theological center of the pericope.
אֲנִ֣יI1cs independent pronoun · אֲנִי (H589)Subject pronoun of divine self-identificationאֲנִי (H589) 'I'; the emphatic independent pronoun opens the divine self-disclosure formula, echoing the pattern of Gen 15:7 and Ex 20:2.
יְהוָ֗הYHWHProper noun · יהוה (H3068)Predicate nominative (divine name in self-identification)יהוה (H3068); the divine name as predicate — 'I am YHWH'; this self-identification formula grounds the entire promise speech in covenantal identity.
אֱלֹהֵי֙God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional construct (relational epithet)אֱלֹהִים (H430) pl. in form, sg. in sense; constr. with Abraham, connecting YHWH's identity to the patriarchal covenant history.
אַבְרָהָ֣םAbrahamProper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Construct chain (genitival) — God of Abrahamאַבְרָהָם (H85); the first patriarch named; YHWH's identification as God of Abraham roots the revelation in the founding covenant.
אָבִ֔יךָyour fatherN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Appositional modifier of Abrahamאָב (H1) 'father'; 2ms suffix; 'Abraham your father' — the addressee (Jacob) is placed in the line of covenantal descent, making the ancestral promise directly applicable.
וֵאלֹהֵ֖יand God ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Coordinated appositional constructאֱלֹהִים (H430) with וְ; extends the relational epithet to include the second patriarch, binding the self-identification to the full patriarchal chain.
יִצְחָ֑קIsaacProper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Construct chain (genitival) — God of Isaacיִצְחָק (H3327); Jacob's immediate father; the formula 'God of Abraham … and God of Isaac' establishes the unbroken chain that now extends to Jacob himself.
הָאָ֗רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Topic nominative (fronted subject of promise)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; fronted for emphasis, this is the subject of the coming land-grant promise; the article signals a specific, known land.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducerאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces the relative clause specifying which land: the one Jacob is lying on.
אַתָּה֙you2ms independent pronoun · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of שֹׁכֵב (relative clause)אַתָּה (H859) '(you)'; emphatic independent pronoun; the solitary traveler sleeping on the ground is singled out as the recipient of the divine address.
שֹׁכֵ֣בare lying onQal ptc m sg abs · שָׁכַב (H7901)Participial predicate (relative clause)→ Participial: ongoing state — currently lyingשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down'; ptc. presents Jacob's current posture as the occasion of the promise: the very ground he sleeps on is identified as the covenantal land.
עָלֶ֔יהָon itprep עַל + 3fs suffix · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase (land as base)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; 3fs suffix referring to הָאָרֶץ; Jacob is physically touching the land that is now promised to him — the connection is immediate and concrete.
לְךָ֥to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְ (l)Indirect object of אֶתְּנֶנָּה (fronted emphatic)לְ with 2ms suffix; fronted before the verb for emphasis: 'to YOU I will give it' — personal, direct address.
אֶתְּנֶ֖נָּהI will give itQal impf 1cs + 3fs suffix · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main promise)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/future — assured divine promiseנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, grant'; 1cs impf + 3fs suffix (the land); the divine first-person future gift is the central land promise, now delivered directly to Jacob.
וּלְזַרְעֶֽךָand to your offspringconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · זֶרַע (H2233)Coordinated indirect object (extended recipients)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; the land promise extends beyond Jacob to his descendants, maintaining the full Abrahamic scope; cf. Gen 12:7; 13:15.
14

וְהָיָ֤ה זַרְעֲךָ֙ כַּעֲפַ֣ר הָאָ֔רֶץ וּפָרַצְתָּ֛ יָ֥מָּה וָקֵ֖דְמָה וְצָפֹ֣נָה וָנֶ֑גְבָּה וְנִבְרֲכ֥וּ בְךָ֛ כָּל מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הָאֲדָמָ֖ה וּבְזַרְעֶֽךָ

"And your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread westward and eastward and northward and southward; and in you and in your offspring all the families of the ground shall be blessed."

Promise enlarged: seed, expansion, and universal blessing are declaredוְהָיָ֤ה
The speech broadens from land gift to posterity and worldwide significance. The four-direction formula presents unbounded spread, and the blessing line extends Jacob's promise to all the families of the ground.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְהָיָ֤הshall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal of continuation (expanding the promise)→ Weqatal: consequential future — expanding proclamationהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; weqatal continues YHWH's promise speech into the seed promise: what Jacob's offspring shall become.
זַרְעֲךָ֙your offspringN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · זֶרַע (H2233)Subject of וְהָיָהזֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; 2ms suffix; the seed-promise now receives its own elaboration: innumerable and spreading in all directions.
כַּעֲפַ֣רlike dust ofprep כְּ + N m sg constr · עָפָר (H6083)Comparative prepositional phrase (simile)עָפָר (H6083) 'dust, fine soil'; the dust-of-the-earth simile appears in Gen 13:16 for Abraham; applying it to Jacob's seed confirms the same cosmic scope of posterity.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe earthart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chain (genitival) — dust of the earthאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth'; the uncountability of earth's dust is the measure of Jacob's descendants; echoes the Abrahamic promise verbatim.
וּפָרַצְתָּ֛you shall spreadconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · פָּרַץ (H6555)Weqatal of continuation (direction promises)→ Weqatal: consequential future — unbounded expansionפָּרַץ (H6555) 'to break out, spread'; implies vigorous, boundary-breaking expansion; the word carries an image of bursting through restraints in all directions.
יָ֥מָּהwestwardN m sg abs + directional ה · יָם (H3220)Directional adverbial (first compass point)יָם (H3220) 'sea, west'; directional ה; 'seaward' = westward; the four-direction formula is a rhetorical figure of unbounded spread, covering the whole compass.
וָקֵ֖דְמָהand eastwardconj וָ + N m sg abs + directional ה · קֶדֶם (H6924)Directional adverbial (second compass point)קֶדֶם (H6924) 'east, front'; directional ה; eastward; together with יָמָּה creates the west-east axis of the four-direction expansion formula.
וְצָפֹ֣נָהand northwardconj וְ + N f sg abs + directional ה · צָפוֹן (H6828)Directional adverbial (third compass point)צָפוֹן (H6828) 'north'; directional ה; northward; the third of four compass directions completing the expansionist vision.
וָנֶ֑גְבָּהand southwardconj וָ + N m sg abs + directional ה · נֶגֶב (H5045)Directional adverbial (fourth compass point)נֶגֶב (H5045) 'south, Negev'; directional ה; southward; the complete four-direction formula is thus: west, east, north, south — total universal spread.
וְנִבְרֲכ֥וּshall be blessedconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 3cp · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Weqatal of consequence (universal blessing)→ Weqatal: consequential future — worldwide blessingבָּרַךְ (H1288) Niphal 'to be blessed'; the reflexive-passive of the blessing root; echoes Gen 12:3 and 18:18 — the Abrahamic universal blessing formula now applied to Jacob and his seed.
בְךָ֛in youprep בְּ + 2ms suffix · בְּ (b)Instrumental/locative prepositional phrase (means of blessing)בְּ with 2ms suffix; 'in/through you' — Jacob becomes the medium through whom the worldwide blessing flows; the prepositional bet here functions instrumentally.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Quantifier in construct (universal scope)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; constr. with מִשְׁפְּחֹת; expresses totality — no family of the ground is excluded from the blessing mediated through Jacob.
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥תfamilies ofN f pl constr · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Construct chain (genitival — all families of the ground)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan, family'; pl. constr.; the social unit below 'nation' (גּוֹי); 'all the families of the ground' is more intimate than 'all nations', specifying every kinship group.
הָאֲדָמָ֖הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Construct chain (genitival) — families of the groundאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, earth, soil'; here used rather than אֶרֶץ; echoes Gen 12:3 where the same phrase appears; 'the ground' connotes human habitation.
וּבְזַרְעֶֽךָand in your offspringconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · זֶרַע (H2233)Coordinated instrumental phrase (extended mediation)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; with בְּ; the blessing is mediated not only through Jacob but through his descendants — the promise has multigenerational reach.
15

וְהִנֵּ֨ה אָנֹכִ֜י עִמָּ֗ךְ וּשְׁמַרְתִּ֨יךָ֙ בְּכֹ֣ל אֲשֶׁר תֵּלֵ֔ךְ וַהֲשִׁ֣בֹתִ֔יךָ אֶל הָאֲדָמָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את כִּ֚י לֹ֣א אֶֽעֱזָבְךָ֔ עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִם עָשִׂ֔יתִי אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר דִּבַּ֖רְתִּי לָֽךְ

"And behold, I am with you, and I will keep you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you."

Promise climax: YHWH pledges presence, protection, return, and perseveranceוְהִנֵּ֨ה
The speech turns from ancestral formulas to intensely personal assurance. YHWH binds himself to Jacob's future with presence, guarding in travel, return to the land, and a promise not to abandon the work until it is fulfilled.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְהִנֵּ֨הand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (personal assurance follows)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; transitions from the ancestral-promise formulas to intensely personal address; what follows is YHWH's first-person commitment to Jacob himself.
אָנֹכִ֜יI1cs independent pronoun · אָנֹכִי (H595)Emphatic subject pronounאָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; the longer, more emphatic form of the first-person pronoun; YHWH places himself at the center of the assurance — his person is the guarantee.
עִמָּ֗ךְwith youprep עִם + 2ms suffix · עִם (H5973)Predicate prepositional phrase (presence formula)עִם (H5973) 'with'; 2ms suffix; the divine-presence formula 'I am with you' (עִמָּךְ אָנֹכִי) is the foundational pastoral assurance in the patriarchal narratives.
וּשְׁמַרְתִּ֨יךָ֙and I will keep youconj וְ + Qal weqatal 1cs + 2ms suffix · שָׁמַר (H8104)Weqatal of promise (ongoing guardianship)→ Weqatal: consequential future — commitment to protectשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, protect'; YHWH's personal commitment to guard Jacob wherever he goes; the suffix 'you' makes the promise direct and individual.
בְּכֹ֣לin allprep בְּ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (universal scope of guarding)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; with בְּ forms the idiom 'in all that' — the guarding is total, covering every place Jacob goes.
אֲשֶׁרwhereverrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducer (extending scope)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; with בְּכֹל the idiom = 'in all wherever' = wherever; the protection covers every conceivable location on the journey.
תֵּלֵ֔ךְyou goQal impf 2ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — ongoing travel throughout the journeyהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; impf. in the relative clause; the open-ended future travel is the sphere of YHWH's guarding commitment.
וַהֲשִׁ֣בֹתִ֔יךָI will bring you backconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 1cs + 2ms suffix · שׁוּב (H7725)Weqatal of promise (return commitment)→ Weqatal: consequential future — commitment to return Jacobשׁוּב (H7725) Hiphil 'to bring back, restore'; the Hiphil causative makes YHWH the active agent of return; the exile is bounded by divine commitment.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; specifies the destination of the promised return: this land.
הָאֲדָמָ֖הthis landart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Object of אֶל (destination of return)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, land'; with the demonstrative הַזֹּאת — 'this land' = the very ground Jacob sleeps on; the return promise is geographically specific.
הַזֹּ֑אתthisart + demonstrative pronoun f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Demonstrative modifier of הָאֲדָמָהזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; with article; 'this land' specifies the very spot — turning the ordinary stopping place into the promised territory.
כִּ֚יforconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (ground for the promise)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the grounding clause: YHWH will not abandon Jacob because he has spoken.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particleלֹא (H3808) absolute negation; with the following impf. expresses an absolute divine commitment not to abandon Jacob.
אֶֽעֱזָבְךָ֔I will forsake youQal impf 1cs + 2ms suffix · עָזַב (H5800)Predicate verb (negative assurance)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — absolute future negationעָזַב (H5800) 'to abandon, forsake, leave'; negated with לֹא; the absolute commitment not to abandon Jacob until the promise is fulfilled is the anchor of the entire speech.
עַ֚דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (duration)עַד (H5704) 'until'; marks the temporal limit of YHWH's commitment: the abandonment is ruled out until the deed is done; then, by implication, Jacob will be home and the vow fulfilled.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducer (content of עַד)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; with עַד: 'until that which …'; introduces the content-clause of the temporal limit.
אִםindeedconjunction · אִם (H518)Asseverative particle (strengthening אֲשֶׁר)אִם (H518) 'if'; here in the idiom עַד אֲשֶׁר אִם functioning as an asseverative: 'until I have certainly done'; stresses the certainty of the divine deed.
עָשִׂ֔יתִיI have doneQal perf 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (content of temporal clause)→ Perfective: prophetic perfect — the deed treated as certainעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, accomplish'; perfect tense in the subordinate temporal clause; the done-deed framing makes YHWH's faithfulness the non-negotiable ground.
אֵ֥ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the content of YHWH's pledge as a definite direct object.
אֲשֶׁרwhatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducer (specifying the deed)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces 'what I have spoken to you' — the deed is the fulfillment of the spoken word; speech and action are bound together.
דִּבַּ֖רְתִּיI have spokenPiel perf 1cs · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (content of אֲשֶׁר clause)→ Perfective: completed, authoritative speech-actדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; perfect; the Piel of דָּבַר emphasizes purposeful, authoritative speech; YHWH's word is the measure and the guarantee of the coming action.
לָֽךְto youprep לְ + 2fs suffix · לְ (l)Indirect object of דִּבַּרְתִּילְ with 2fs suffix (pointing variant for 2ms in pause); marking Jacob as the addressee of the spoken promise; closes the divine speech with personal directness.
16

וַיִּיקַ֣ץ יַעֲקֹב֮ מִשְּׁנָתוֹ֒ וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אָכֵן֙ יֵ֣שׁ יְהוָ֔ה בַּמָּק֖וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וְאָנֹכִ֖י לֹ֥א יָדָֽעְתִּי

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely YHWH is in this place, and I did not know it."

Awakening recognition: Jacob realizes the divine presence after the visionוַיִּיקַ֣ץ
Jacob's waking does not dissolve the vision's force; it sharpens it into realization. His confession contrasts YHWH's objective presence with his prior unawareness.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיִּיקַ֣ץawokeQal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָקַץ (H3364)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (awakening)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָקַץ (H3364) 'to awake, rouse'; the sleep that opened v.11 is now ended; awakening from the divine dream is the transition from revelation to response.
יַעֲקֹב֮JacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of וַיִּיקַץיַעֲקֹב (H3290); the now-awakened recipient of the dream; his waking response will transform his perception of the place and issue in vow.
מִשְּׁנָתוֹ֒from his sleepprep מִן + N f sg constr + 3ms suffix · שֵׁנָה (H8142)Ablative prepositional phrase (source of awakening)שֵׁנָה (H8142) 'sleep'; 3ms suffix; awakening from sleep marks the transition from dream-revelation to waking recognition and response.
וַיֹּ֕אמֶרand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol introducing Jacob's speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say, speak'; introduces Jacob's verbal interpretation of the dream experience.
אָכֵן֙surelyadv · אָכֵן (H403)Asseverative adverb (expressing genuine certainty)אָכֵן (H403) 'surely, truly, indeed'; an asseverative that expresses surprised or newly grasped certainty; the word marks Jacob's recognition as a genuine discovery rather than prior knowledge.
יֵ֣שׁisexistential particle · יֵשׁ (H3426)Existential predicateיֵשׁ (H3426) 'there is, exists'; the existential particle asserts the objective reality of YHWH's presence at this place, independent of Jacob's prior awareness.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHProper noun · יהוה (H3068)Subject of existential clauseיהוה (H3068); the divine name as subject of יֵשׁ; YHWH's presence is a fact Jacob has just discovered — not that YHWH exists generally, but that he is specifically here.
בַּמָּק֖וֹםin this placeprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Locative prepositional phraseמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; fifth and now theologically loaded occurrence; the anonymous stopping-place has been revealed as a divine dwelling point.
הַזֶּ֑הthisart + demonstrative pronoun m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative modifier of הַמָּקוֹםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; the demonstrative grounds the recognition in the specific present location.
וְאָנֹכִ֖יand Iconj וְ + 1cs independent pronoun · אָנֹכִי (H595)Contrastive subject pronounאָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; the longer emphatic form; the contrast is between YHWH's objective presence (יֵשׁ) and Jacob's prior subjective ignorance (לֹא יָדַעְתִּי).
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particleלֹא (H3808) absolute negation; with the perfect expresses completed ignorance — Jacob did not know this when he arrived.
יָדָֽעְתִּיknewQal perf 1cs · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (confession of prior ignorance)→ Perfective: completed past state — previously did not knowיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; perfect of completed not-knowing; Jacob's confession of prior ignorance makes the revelation more striking — the divine was present even before he perceived it.
17

וַיִּירָא֙ וַיֹּאמַ֔ר מַה נּוֹרָ֖א הַמָּק֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה אֵ֣ין זֶ֗ה כִּ֚י אִם בֵּ֣ית אֱלֹהִ֔ים וְזֶ֖ה שַׁ֥עַר הַשָּׁמָֽיִם

And he was afraid and said, "How fearsome this place is. This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."

Reverent interpretation: the place is named as sacred thresholdוַיִּירָא֙
Fear follows recognition, and Jacob names the site's significance in cultic-cosmic terms. The stopping point is no longer ordinary terrain but the house of God and the gate of heaven.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיִּירָא֙was afraidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָרֵא (H3372)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (fear response)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear, be in awe'; the appropriate response to theophanic encounter; fear here is religious awe (Gottesfurcht), not mere fright.
וַיֹּאמַ֔רand saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol introducing Jacob's exclamation→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Jacob's interpretive naming of the place; speech follows directly upon fear.
מַהhowinterrogative particle · מָה (H4100)Exclamatory particle (rhetorical exclamation)מָה (H4100) 'what, how'; in exclamatory use with an adjective: 'how fearsome!' — not a question but an expression of awe.
נּוֹרָ֖אfearsomeNiphal ptc m sg abs · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate adjective in exclamation→ Participial: stative — the place is intrinsically awesomeיָרֵא (H3372) Niphal 'to be feared, awesome'; ptc. used as an adjective; the same root as וַיִּירָא — Jacob's fear and the place's awesome quality are lexically linked.
הַמָּק֣וֹםthe placeart + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Subject of the exclamationמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; sixth and climactic occurrence; the word that has been building since v.11 now receives its full theological weight in Jacob's exclamation.
הַזֶּ֑הthisart + demonstrative pronoun m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative modifier of הַמָּקוֹםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; grounds the awesome quality in the specific locale; 'this place' is the site of the divine encounter.
אֵ֣יןthere is nonenegative existential particle · אַיִן (H369)Negative existential predicateאַיִן (H369) 'there is not, none'; the negated existential; 'this is nothing but' — it expresses exclusive identification.
זֶ֗הthisdemonstrative pronoun m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject of אֵין (negative existential)זֶה (H2088) 'this (place)'; the demonstrative pronoun referring to the site; 'there is not this except …' idiomatically = 'this is none other than.'
כִּ֚יbutconjunction · כִּי (H3588)Restrictive conjunction (כִּי אִם = none other than)כִּי (H3588) in the idiom אֵין … כִּי אִם = 'none other than'; the particle introduces the exclusive identification.
אִםexceptconjunction · אִם (H518)Restrictive particle (exclusion clause)אִם (H518) 'if, except'; together with כִּי: כִּי אִם = 'except, but only'; the idiom creates an exclusive predicate: the place is nothing but the house of God.
בֵּ֣יתhouse ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Predicate nominative (exclusive identification)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house, dwelling'; constr. with אֱלֹהִים; בֵּית אֱלֹהִים 'house of God' names the place as a sacred dwelling — the origin of the toponym Bethel (v.19).
אֱלֹהִ֔יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival) — house of Godאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct with בֵּית; the sleeping-stone site is now identified as God's own house — a dwelling place for the divine.
וְזֶ֖הand thisconj וְ + demonstrative pronoun m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject of second nominative clauseזֶה (H2088) 'this'; the second clause adds a second identification: the place is also the gate of heaven.
שַׁ֥עַרgate ofN m sg constr · שַׁעַר (H8179)Predicate nominative (second identification)שַׁעַר (H8179) 'gate, entrance'; constr.; the gate of heaven is the point of access between earth and the heavenly realm — the threshold through which divine messengers passed on the stairway.
הַשָּׁמָֽיִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Construct chain (genitival) — gate of the heavensשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens'; with article; the heavens to which the stairway reached (v.12); the gate metaphor confirms that this site mediates access to the divine realm.
18

וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם יַעֲקֹ֜ב בַּבֹּ֗קֶר וַיִּקַּ֤ח אֶת הָאֶ֨בֶן֙ אֲשֶׁר שָׂ֣ם מְרַֽאֲשֹׁתָ֔יו וַיָּ֥שֶׂם אֹתָ֖הּ מַצֵּבָ֑ה וַיִּצֹ֥ק שֶׁ֖מֶן עַל רֹאשָֽׁהּ

So Jacob rose early in the morning, took the stone that he had placed at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on its top.

Memorial act begun: Jacob marks the revelatory site with pillar and oilוַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם
Jacob's waking response leads immediately to a concrete cultic act. The stone that served as his headrest is transformed into a marked memorial, and the oil-pouring solemnizes the place as charged with divine significance.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨םrose earlyHiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁכַם (H7925)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (morning action)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁכַם (H7925) Hiphil 'to rise early, do early'; the Hiphil indicates purposeful early rising; Jacob's response to the revelation is prompt and intentional.
יַעֲקֹ֜בJacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of וַיַּשְׁכֵּםיַעֲקֹב (H3290); the responsive actor; his morning actions transform the sleeping-place into a memorial site.
בַּבֹּ֗קֶרin the morningprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Temporal prepositional phraseבֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; with article and בְּ; specifies the time of Jacob's response — the dawn after the revelatory night.
וַיִּקַּ֤חand tookQal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, acquire'; Jacob takes the stone — the same one used as a headrest — for transformation into a sacred pillar.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the stone as the definite direct object.
הָאֶ֨בֶן֙the stoneart + N f sg abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Direct object of וַיִּקַּחאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; the article (הָאֶבֶן) marks the specific stone previously mentioned in v.11; the ordinary sleeping-stone becomes a sacred monument.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducerאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; identifies the stone further by its previous function at Jacob's head during the dream-night.
שָׂ֣םhe had placedQal perf 3ms · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb (relative clause — prior action)→ Perfective: completed past placementשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place, set'; perfect marking prior action: Jacob had placed this stone at his head; its previous identity as headrest contrasts with its new identity as pillar.
מְרַֽאֲשֹׁתָ֔יוat his headN f pl constr + 3ms suffix · מְרַאֲשׁוֹת (H4763)Locative noun phrase (prior position of stone)מְרַאֲשׁוֹת (H4763) 'head-place, headrest'; from רֹאשׁ; the same phrase as v.11; the stone's transformation from headrest to pillar mirrors Jacob's transformation from sleeping fugitive to worshiper.
וַיָּ֥שֶׂםand set it upQal wayyiqtol 3ms · שִׂים (H7760)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place, set'; same root as שָׂם in v.11; the deliberate repetition marks the transformation: formerly placed as headrest, now set up as pillar.
אֹתָ֖הּitobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (the stone)אֵת (H853) with 3fs suffix referring to the stone (fem. אֶבֶן); the stone is now the object being erected as a memorial pillar.
מַצֵּבָ֑הas a pillarN f sg abs · מַצֵּבָה (H4676)Predicate complement (adverbial accusative of role)מַצֵּבָה (H4676) 'standing stone, pillar, monument'; from נָצַב 'to stand'; a vertical memorial stone; the cognate of מֻצָּב (v.12) for the stairway links the pillar to the dream vision.
וַיִּצֹ֥קand pouredQal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָצַק (H3332)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (anointing)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצַק (H3332) 'to pour, cast'; the pouring of oil on the pillar is an anointing act that consecrates the stone as sacred; the earliest recorded anointing in Genesis.
שֶׁ֖מֶןoilN m sg abs · שֶׁמֶן (H8081)Direct object of וַיִּצֹקשֶׁמֶן (H8081) 'oil, olive oil'; the substance poured on the pillar; oil as a consecrating liquid appears throughout ANE ritual; here it solemnizes the site as holy.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (surface of anointing)עַל (H5921) 'upon, on'; marks the surface receiving the oil — the top of the pillar.
רֹאשָֽׁהּits topN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Object of עַל (top of pillar)רֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head, top'; 3fs suffix referring to the pillar (מַצֵּבָה, fem.); the top of the stone receives the oil, completing the anointing of the monument.
19

וַיִּקְרָ֛א אֶת שֵֽׁם הַמָּק֥וֹם הַה֖וּא בֵּֽית אֵ֑ל וְאוּלָ֛ם ל֥וּז שֵׁם הָעִ֖יר לָרִאשֹׁנָֽה

And he called the name of that place Bethel; but formerly the name of the city was Luz.

Place redefined: Jacob names the site Bethel against its older civic nameוַיִּקְרָ֛א
Jacob interprets the site by naming it. The contrast with Luz marks the event as a redefinition of place: what was formerly an ordinary city is now understood as a divine meeting place.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַיִּקְרָ֛אcalledQal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (naming act)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; Jacob exercises the naming authority of one who has received a revelation; the ordinary location receives a permanent theological name.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking שֵׁם הַמָּקוֹם as the definite direct object of the naming.
שֵֽׁםname ofN m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object (construct head)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; constr. with the place; calling the name is the standard formula for place-naming; revelation is inscribed into topography.
הַמָּק֥וֹםthe placeart + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Construct chain (genitival) — name of the placeמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; climactic and final occurrence of the word threading through vv.11–19; the formerly anonymous site now receives a permanent name.
הַה֖וּאthatart + demonstrative pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Demonstrative modifier of הַמָּקוֹםהוּא (H1931) 'that'; with article; 'that place' — the demonstrative marks the specific location whose identity is now permanently fixed.
בֵּֽיתBeth-Proper noun · בֵּית אֵל (H1008)Predicate nominative (place name given)בֵּית אֵל (H1008) 'Bethel' = 'house of God'; the name directly echoes Jacob's exclamation in v.17 (בֵּית אֱלֹהִים); the theological experience becomes the geographical name.
אֵ֑לElProper noun · בֵּית אֵל (H1008)Construct chain — Bethel (second element of place name)אֵל (H1008) 'El, God'; second element of Bethel; echoes the divine name El Shaddai from v.3 and the vision of YHWH in v.13.
וְאוּלָ֛םbut formerlyconj וְ + adversative adv · אוּלָם (H199)Adversative conjunction (introducing prior name)אוּלָם (H199) 'but, however, yet'; the adversative introduces the contrasting historical datum: the site had a different, non-theological name before.
ל֥וּזLuzProper noun · לוּז (H3870)Subject nominative (the former name)לוּז (H3870) 'Luz'; the pre-Israelite Canaanite name of the city; its meaning is uncertain (possibly 'almond/hazel'); retained alongside Bethel to preserve concrete geographic memory.
שֵׁםname ofN m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Predicate nominative (former name in verbless clause)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; second occurrence in the verse; the verbless clause asserts: 'Luz was the name of the city formerly.'
הָעִ֖ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Construct chain (genitival) — name of the cityעִיר (H5892) 'city'; with article; confirms this is a real named settlement being renamed by Jacob's revelatory experience.
לָרִאשֹׁנָֽהformerlyprep לְ + art + Adj f sg abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Temporal adverbial (the former time)רִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first, former'; with לְ and article: 'formerly'; marks the old name as belonging to a pre-revelation era now superseded by Bethel.
20

וַיִּדַּ֥ר יַעֲקֹ֖ב נֶ֣דֶר לֵאמֹ֑ר אִם יִהְיֶ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֜ים עִמָּדִ֗י וּשְׁמָרַ֨נִי֙ בַּדֶּ֤רֶךְ הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָנֹכִ֣י הוֹלֵ֔ךְ וְנָֽתַן לִ֥י לֶ֛חֶם לֶאֱכֹ֖ל וּבֶ֥גֶד לִלְבֹּֽשׁ

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me, and will keep me on this way that I am going, and will give me bread to eat and a garment to wear,

Vow opened: Jacob answers the revelation with conditional speech of trust and requestוַיִּדַּ֥ר
Jacob's response moves from memorial action to spoken vow. Divine presence, protection, and provision become the stated grounds of his pledged devotion.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיִּדַּ֥רvowedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָדַר (H5087)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (vow act)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָדַר (H5087) 'to vow, make a vow'; the vow is Jacob's formal religious response to the revelation; it binds his future behavior to the divine promises just received.
יַעֲקֹ֖בJacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of וַיִּדַּריַעֲקֹב (H3290); the vow-maker; Jacob's vow is a formal speech act answering the divine promise with human commitment.
נֶ֣דֶרa vowN m sg abs · נֶדֶר (H5088)Cognate accusative of וַיִּדַּרנֶדֶר (H5088) 'vow'; cognate of the verb; the cognate accusative ('vowed a vow') emphasizes the formal and binding nature of the commitment.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Lamed-infinitive introducing quoted speech→ Infinitive construct: manner — introducing direct speechאָמַר (H559); inf. constr. with לְ; the standard formula introducing the content of Jacob's vow verbatim.
אִםifconjunction · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction (opening the vow's protasis)אִם (H518) 'if'; opens the protasis of the conditional vow; whether Jacob expresses doubt or simply structures his response conditionally remains debated.
יִהְיֶ֨הwill beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (protasis — first condition)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — contingent future conditionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; impf. in the conditional protasis; Jacob takes up YHWH's promise from v.15 and casts it as the first condition of his vow.
אֱלֹהִ֜יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of יִהְיֶהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; Jacob uses the more general divine name in the protasis before using יהוה in the apodosis (v.21).
עִמָּדִ֗יwith meprep עִם + 1cs suffix · עִם (H5978)Predicate prepositional phrase (presence condition)עִם (H5978) 'with'; 1cs suffix; directly echoes YHWH's promise in v.15 ('I am with you'); Jacob restates that promise as the first condition of his vow.
וּשְׁמָרַ֨נִי֙and keeps meconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms + 1cs suffix · שָׁמַר (H8104)Weqatal of the protasis (second condition)→ Weqatal: contingent future — second conditionשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, protect'; echoes v.15's 'I will keep you'; Jacob mirrors YHWH's promises point for point in his vow.
בַּדֶּ֤רֶךְon the wayprep בְּ + art + N (c) sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Locative prepositional phraseדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'road, way, journey'; with article and הַזֶּה; 'this road' refers specifically to Jacob's current journey to Paddan-aram.
הַזֶּה֙thisart + demonstrative pronoun m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative modifier of הַדֶּרֶךְזֶה (H2088) 'this'; specifies the particular journey Jacob is undertaking.
אֲשֶׁ֣רon whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducerאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces the relative clause: 'on which I am going.'
אָנֹכִ֣יI1cs independent pronoun · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of הוֹלֵךְ (relative clause)אָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; emphatic independent pronoun used as the subject of the participial predicate.
הוֹלֵ֔ךְam goingQal ptc m sg abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Participial predicate (present ongoing travel)→ Participial: ongoing process — currently travelingהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to go, walk'; ptc. describing Jacob's current journey as the living situation addressed by the divine promise and now the vow.
וְנָֽתַןand givesconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Weqatal of protasis (third condition — provision)→ Weqatal: contingent future — third conditionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, grant'; third condition in the vow's protasis; YHWH's provision of food and clothing as basic sustenance is what Jacob lays before God.
לִ֥יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לְ (l)Indirect object of וְנָתַןלְ with 1cs suffix; Jacob as the recipient of the divine provision.
לֶ֛חֶםbreadN (c) sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Direct object of וְנָתַן (first item)לֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; the staple of sustenance; Jacob's request is notably modest — bread to eat, appropriate for an exile's minimal needs.
לֶאֱכֹ֖לto eatprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָכַל (H398)Infinitive of purpose (food's purpose)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — to eatאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; inf. constr. with לְ specifying the purpose of the bread; the simplicity of the request contrasts with the magnificence of the promise given.
וּבֶ֥גֶדand a garmentconj וְ + N m sg abs · בֶּגֶד (H899)Coordinated direct object (second item)בֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment, clothing'; the second basic necessity; together with לֶחֶם, these cover food and clothing — a merism for basic sustenance.
לִלְבֹּֽשׁto wearprep לְ + Qal inf constr · לָבַשׁ (H3847)Infinitive of purpose (garment's purpose)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — to wearלָבַשׁ (H3847) 'to wear, clothe oneself'; inf. constr. with לְ; parallel to לֶאֱכֹל; the pair food/garment forms a modest merism for all basic provision.
21

וְשַׁבְתִּ֥י בְשָׁל֖וֹם אֶל בֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑י וְהָיָ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה לִ֖י לֵאלֹהִֽים

and I return in peace to my father's house, then YHWH shall be my God,

Vow continued: safe return climaxes in personal acknowledgment of YHWHוְשַׁבְתִּ֥י
Return home in peace completes the hoped-for divine guardianship. The line then turns to covenantal language: YHWH shall be my God stands as the vow's personal center.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְשַׁבְתִּ֥יand I returnconj וְ + Qal weqatal 1cs · שׁוּב (H7725)Weqatal continuing the protasis (fourth condition)→ Weqatal: contingent future — fourth and final conditionשׁוּב (H7725) 'to return, come back'; the fourth condition mirrors YHWH's promise in v.15 ('I will bring you back'); Jacob's own safe return completes the protasis.
בְשָׁל֖וֹםin peaceprep בְּ + N m sg abs · שָׁלוֹם (H7965)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner of return)שָׁלוֹם (H7965) 'peace, wholeness, safety'; with בְּ; 'in peace' implies arriving intact — encompassing total well-being on the journey home.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phrase (destination of return)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the destination of the hoped-for safe return.
בֵּ֣יתhouse ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Object of אֶל (construct head)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; constr. with אָבִי; the return to the father's house is the goal and the setting of the apodosis.
אָבִ֑יmy fatherN m sg constr + 1cs suffix · אָב (H1)Construct chain (genitival) — father's houseאָב (H1) 'father'; 1cs suffix; Jacob's father's house is the destination of return — the patriarchal household whose blessing he carries.
וְהָיָ֧הthen shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal opening the apodosis→ Weqatal: consequential future — apodosis of vowהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; weqatal shifts from the protasis (conditions) to the apodosis (Jacob's pledged response); the vow's main commitment is now stated.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHProper noun · יהוה (H3068)Subject of apodosisיהוה (H3068); Jacob switches from אֱלֹהִים in the protasis to יהוה in the apodosis, directly acknowledging the covenant God who spoke in the dream.
לִ֖יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לְ (l)Indirect object (Jacob as recipient of YHWH's Godship)לְ with 1cs suffix; 'YHWH will be to me' — the relationship is personal and direct.
לֵאלֹהִֽיםas my Godprep לְ + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate complement (the apodosis commitment)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; with לְ forming a predicate: 'will be to me as God'; this is the heart of the vow — personal acknowledgment of YHWH as Jacob's own deity, echoing the covenant formula.
22

וְהָאֶ֣בֶן הַזֹּ֗את אֲשֶׁר שַׂ֨מְתִּי֙ מַצֵּבָ֔ה יִהְיֶ֖ה בֵּ֣ית אֱלֹהִ֑ים וְכֹל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּתֶּן לִ֔י עַשֵּׂ֖ר אֲעַשְּׂרֶ֥נּוּ לָֽךְ

and this stone, which I have set up as a pillar, shall be God's house, and of all that you give me I will surely give a tenth to you."

Vow concluded: place and goods are dedicated to God in response to his careוְהָאֶ֣בֶן
The vow closes with two concrete pledges: the marked stone will stand as God's house, and Jacob will answer divine provision with a tithe. Place, worship, and material obligation are joined in a single response.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְהָאֶ֣בֶןand this stoneconj וְ + art + N f sg abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Subject of the first apodotic pledgeאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; with article and demonstrative הַזֹּאת; the stone previously used as headrest (v.11) and erected as pillar (v.18) is now formally pledged as a sacred site.
הַזֹּ֗אתthisart + demonstrative pronoun f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Demonstrative modifier of הָאֶבֶןזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; the specific stone already acted upon; the demonstrative ties the pledge to the concrete object.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducerאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces a relative clause identifying the stone by its erection as a pillar.
שַׂ֨מְתִּי֙I have set upQal perf 1cs · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: completed act — the stone is already erectedשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place, set'; perfect 1cs; Jacob refers to the erection already performed in v.18; the stone's consecrated status is an accomplished fact.
מַצֵּבָ֔הas a pillarN f sg abs · מַצֵּבָה (H4676)Adverbial accusative (role specification)מַצֵּבָה (H4676) 'standing stone, pillar, monument'; from נָצַב; second occurrence (cf. v.18); the pillar is the concrete symbol of the encounter with YHWH.
יִהְיֶ֖הshall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (apodosis — first pledge)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/future — vowed commitmentהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the future tense declares what this pillar-stone will be: God's house; it turns the memorial stone into a permanent cultic site.
בֵּ֣יתhouse ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Predicate nominative (what the pillar will be)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; constr. with אֱלֹהִים; the anointed stone becomes 'God's house' — the name Bethel (בֵּית אֵל) is embedded in the vow as an ongoing cultic commitment.
אֱלֹהִ֑יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct chain (genitival) — house of Godאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct with בֵּית; the stone site is pledged as God's house — a site of worship consistent with v.17's identification and the future Bethel sanctuary.
וְכֹל֙and allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject of the second pledge clause (tithe)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; constr. with אֲשֶׁר; 'all that you give me' — Jacob pledges a tithe on everything, making divine provision the basis of covenantal giving.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause introducer (content of כֹּל)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces the content: whatever YHWH gives Jacob is the tithe base.
תִּתֶּןyou giveQal impf 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (relative clause — YHWH as giver)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — ongoing future givingנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, grant'; impf. 2ms addressing YHWH directly; the shift to second person within the vow is striking — Jacob speaks to YHWH as he swears to him.
לִ֔יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לְ (l)Indirect object of תִּתֶּןלְ with 1cs suffix; Jacob as the recipient of YHWH's giving; the first-person suffix keeps the relationship personal.
עַשֵּׂ֖רa tenthPiel inf abs · עָשַׂר (H6237)Infinitive absolute (emphatic intensifier of אֲעַשְּׂרֶנּוּ)→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — I will surely titheעָשַׂר (H6237) Piel 'to tithe, give a tenth'; inf. abs. preceding the finite verb to express emphasis: 'I will surely tithe it'; cognate construction intensifying the pledge.
אֲעַשְּׂרֶ֥נּוּI will tithe itPiel impf 1cs + 3ms suffix · עָשַׂר (H6237)Predicate verb (vow commitment — tithe)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/future — the vowed actionעָשַׂר (H6237) Piel 'to give a tenth of'; impf. 1cs + 3ms suffix referring to 'all that you give me'; the tithe pledge commits a tenth of all divine provision back to YHWH.
לָֽךְto youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְ (l)Indirect object (YHWH as recipient of the tithe)לְ with 2ms suffix (2ms in pause); the tithe goes to YHWH; the vow closes with the same second-person address to YHWH with which it opened (תִּתֶּן לִי … אֲעַשְּׂרֶנּוּ לָךְ), forming a liturgical ring.