Genesis 29:1

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 29:1 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then Jacob went on his journey, and came to the land of the children of the east.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then Jacob went on his journey, and came to the land of the children of the east.
Genesis 29:1 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 29

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Then Jacob went on his journey, and came to the land of the children of the east.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then Jacob went on his journey, etc.] After the above vow at Bethel, and having had some intimation that what he desired would be granted him; or “he lift up his feet” f1461, which not only shows that he walked afoot, but that he went on his journey with great cheerfulness; for having such gracious promises made him, that God would be with him, and keep him, and supply him with all necessaries, and return him again to the land of Canaan, which made his heart glad; his heart, as the Jewish writers say f1462, lift up his legs, and he walked apace, and with great alacrity: and came into the land of the people of the east; the land of Mesopotamia or Syria, which lay to the east of the land of…”
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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
“THE WELL OF HARAN. (Gen. 29:1-35) Then Jacob went, &c.--Hebrew, "lifted up his feet." He resumed his way next morning with a light heart and elastic step after the vision of the ladder; for tokens of the divine favor tend to quicken the discharge of duty (Neh 8:10). and came into the land, &c.--Mesopotamia and the whole region beyond the Euphrates are by the sacred writers designated "the East" (Jdg 6:3; Kg1 4:30; Job 1:3). Between the first and the second clause of this verse is included a journey of four hundred miles.”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“29:1–31:55 These chapters tell how God kept his promise by abundantly blessing Jacob with family and possessions. God also disciplined Jacob, leaving him to struggle with Laban for many years. Laban was Jacob’s match in deception, and thus a means of correction. • The story of Jacob and Laban parallels Israel’s later sojourn in Egypt. Jacob struggled while serving his uncle but finally emerged with a large family (the founders of the twelve tribes) and great wealth. In Egypt, the Israelites suffered under their oppressors, but they also flourished, becoming a great nation of twelve large tribes and escaping with great riches. 29:1 Jacob hurried on: The Hebrew text says that he “picked up his…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification