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Genesis 28:20

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 28:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
Genesis 28:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 28

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
18And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
19And he called the name of that place Beth-el. But the name of the city was Luz at the first.
20And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
21so that I come again to my father`s house in peace, and Jehovah will be my God,
22then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God`s house. And of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
← Genesis 28:19Genesis 28:21 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And Jacob vowed a vow, etc.] Which is the first vow we read of in Scripture: saying, if God will be with me; the word if is not a sign of doubting, but is either an adverb of time, and may be rendered, “when God shall be with me” f1458; or as a supposition, expressive of an inference or conclusion drawn, “seeing God will be with me” f1459; which he had the utmost reason to believe he would, since he had not only promised it, but had so lately granted him his presence in a very singular and remarkable manner, referring to the promise of God, (<012815>Genesis 28:15): and will keep me in this way that I go; as he had said he would, and as hitherto he had, and for the future he had reason to…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“JACOB'S VOW. (Gen 28:20-22) Jacob vowed a vow--His words are not to be considered as implying a doubt, far less as stating the condition or terms on which he would dedicate himself to God. Let "if" be changed into "since," and the language will appear a proper expression of Jacob's faith--an evidence of his having truly embraced the promise. How edifying often to meditate on Jacob at Beth-el. Next: Genesis Chapter 29”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“28:20-22 In view of what God would do for him, Jacob vowed to do certain things for God. He believed the Lord’s words and responded in gratitude. Jacob’s vow influenced Israel’s way of making commitments to God in worship.”
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Related study paths

Read Genesis 28 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification