And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put [them for] his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
11. And he lighted ] i.e. he by chance reached, like our colloquial “hit upon.” The Divine purpose of the revelation made to Jacob is contrasted in this word with the fortuitousness of Jacob’s action.
a certain place ] Heb. the place. For the special significance of “place,” with the possible meaning of “sacred spot,” see note on Gen 12:6. The scene of this story is afterwards ( Gen 28:19) identified as Bethel: and it is natural to assume that the famous story of the Theophany to Jacob was preserved and honoured at the shrine of Bethel.
put it under his head ] Jacob makes a pillow of the stone: his action in so doing, though it may sound strange to English readers, can be illustrated by the ordinary experience of those who are acquainted with Arab life and Oriental travel.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 11. A certain place, and tarried there] From Ge 28:19, we find this certain place was Luz, or some part of its vicinity. Jacob had probably intended to reach Luz; but the sun being set, and night coming on, he either could not reach the city, or he might suspect the inhabitants, and rather prefer the open field, as he must have heard of the character and conduct of the men of Sodom and Gomorrah. Or the gates might be shut by the time he reached it, which would prevent his admission; for it frequently happens, to the present day, that travellers not reaching a city in the eastern countries previously to the shutting of the gates, are obliged to lodge under the walls all night, as when once shut they refuse to open them till the next day. This was probably Jacob’s case.
He took of the stones] He took one of the stones that were in that place: from Ge 28:18 we find it was one stone only which he had for his pillow. Luz was about forty-eight miles distant from Beer-sheba; too great a journey for one day, through what we may conceive very unready roads.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
11. he lighted upon a certainplaceBy a forced march he had reached Beth-el, aboutforty-eight miles from Beer-sheba, and had to spend the night in theopen field.
he took of the stones,etc.”The nature of the soil is an existing comment on therecord of the stony territory where Jacob lay” [CLARKE’STravels].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he lighted upon a certain place,…. Without any design to take up there, but as it were casually to him, though very providentially, after he had travelled forty eight miles; for so far it seems it was from Beersheba to Luz or Bethel k, as this place was called:
and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; which hindered his pursuing his journey any further that day, and therefore took a night’s lodging here: and he took of the stones of that place; one of the stones that lay there, as Aben Ezra and Ben Melech rightly interpret it, as appears from Ge 28:13; though the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem will have it, that these were four stones that he took, and that by a miracle they became one, and is one of the five miracles they say were done for Jacob on that day:
and put [them for] his pillows, and lay down in that place and slept; being weary with his journey though he had no other bed than the earth, and for his pillow a stone, and for his canopy or curtain the open heaven; a different lodging this from what he had been used to in his father’s house, and under the indulgence of his mother; and one would wonder how he could sleep in such circumstances, and that he did not take cold, after such a journey: but it must be considered that it was in a warm climate, and in an age when they did not use themselves to such soft beds as now, and especially that he was under the particular care of divine Providence.
k Bunting’s Travels, p. 72.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(11) He lighted upon a certain place.Heb., he lighted upon the place. The article probably signifies that it was the place appointed for the revelation, though lighted upon by Jacob by chance. As it lay twelve miles north of Jerusalem, in the mountains of Ephraim, Jacob had already been at least four days on the route (see Note on Gen. 22:4); and though we are not to suppose that Isaac would send away the son who was heir of the blessing without a few trusty servants (nor does the expression in Gen. 32:10 require it), yet Jacob would none the less feel the solemnity of the journey, and the difficulties which surrounded him. Well may he have asked whether El Shaddai would confirm him in the possession of that which he had defiled by fraud and cunning. And thus, meditating much and praying much, he had in those four days drawn near to God, and is at last accepted. The interest in Jacobs life lies in the gradual improvement and progress of his character. Religion was always a reality with him; but at first it was of a low type, and marred by duplicity and earthly scheming. His schemes succeed, but bring with them sorrow and trial; and trial purifies him, and gradually he advances into a region of unselfish and holy piety. Though to the last he was a man sagacious, and full of expedients, yet the nobler part of his character finally had the supremacy.
He took of the stones. . . . Heb., he took one of the stones of the place, and put it as his bolster. Jewish commentators identify the place with Mount Moriah, and say that the stone which Jacob placed under his head was one of those which had formed the altar upon which Isaac had been bound for sacrifice. The name Beth-el signified, they add, the temple, and as makmplaceis thrice used in this verse, it mysteriously foreshadowed the three templesSolomons, Ze-rubbabels, and Herodswhich successively occupied the site. More probably Beth-el was really the town of that name, and these explanations are allegorical rather than expository.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
11. Upon a certain place Hebrews, struck in the place . His striking on that particular place was to him accidental, but the place was one already hallowed by one of Abraham’s altars . Gen 12:8; Gen 13:4.
Tarried there all night Tarried, as it appears, in the open field, not seeking the hospitality of the neighbouring Luz . Gen 28:19. Many anxious thoughts, doubtless, filled his soul; and when night overtook him there, he preferred to lie down alone rather than mix with any Canaanites .
The stones of that place The ridges and valleys about Beitin, the representative of the ancient Bethel, are covered with stones . Hard pillows were these, but there came refreshing visions .
Lay down to sleep Before darkness covered him he, doubtless, like Abram long before in this place, (Gen 13:14,) looked “northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward,” and saw afar the hills and mountains towering up like a stairway to heaven a kind of preparation for his dream.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jacob’s Dream In Gen 28:11-22 Jacob dreamed of a ladder that was placed upon earth that ascended into Heaven with the angels of God ascending and descending upon it. When we read the story of Jacob we find that he had a number of divine encounters with angels who were sent to save him and his twelve sons who were the beginnings of the nation of Israel. Therefore, one meaning of this dream was that God was sending His holy angels to be with Jacob in order to protect him on his journeys.
Gen 28:11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
Gen 28:12 Gen 28:12
Gen 31:38, “This twenty years have I been with thee; thy ewes and thy she goats have not cast their young, and the rams of thy flock have I not eaten.”
Gen 32:1, “And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.”
While Jacob had a dream of angels ascending and descending a ladder from heaven in order to bring about God’s plan of redemption upon the earth, Ezekiel had a vision of angels coming to earth from the throne of God in a great whirlwind to accomplish the same. While these two visions are similar in meaning, the question can be asked as to why they are presented differently to these to Old Testament prophets. Jacob lived in a time when Israel was in its earliest infancy, and God was building the nation of Israel. Ezekiel lived in a time when God had judged and destroyed the nation of Israel and reserved a remnant for future restoration. The whirlwind can certainly represent divine judgment upon Israel and the nations who destroyed Jerusalem. The Lord standing in Heaven at the top of a ladder extending to earth perhaps represents God’s ability to fulfill His promise of building a nation out of Jacob through continual involvement in the life of Jacob and his descendants.
Gen 28:13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
Gen 28:12-13
[236] Jeffery D. Arthurs, Preaching With Variety (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2007), 79.
Gen 28:12-15 Comments – The Lord Blesses Jacob The Lord appears to Jacob in the dream and promises that He will bless him and give him the promised land of Abraham and Isaac. This promise was based upon a covenant promise that was first given to Abraham and passed down to Isaac. God is not blessing Jacob because of his faith, but because of the faith of his fathers.
Gen 28:16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
Gen 28:16
Gen 28:19 Word Study on “Bethel” Strong says the Hebrew word “Bethel” ( ) (H1008) literally means “house of God,” and is taken from Jacob’s declaration in Gen 28:17 that this place was the house of God.
Gen 28:17, “And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God , and this is the gate of heaven.”
Gen 28:22 “I will surely give the tenth unto thee” – Comments – Abraham tithed one tenth (Gen 14:20), giving Jacob an example of how to serve the God of Abraham. Perhaps Abraham gave tithes on a regular basis, setting an example for his sons Isaac and Jacob to follow.
Gen 14:20, “And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all .”
Fuente: Everett’s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures
Gen 28:11. Lighted upon a certain place, &c. From Beer-sheba to Padan-aram was a journey of about 500 miles. In the first day’s journey he rested at a place called Luz, Gen 28:19 which is about a day’s journey from Beer-sheba. Here he found a convenient place to lodge in, shaded probably with trees, for the word Luz signifies an almond tree: and, used to the labours of a pastoral life, he chose one of the stones which he thought most convenient for his pillow; on which, being properly strawed or covered over, he rested his head and slept: When, behold, the Almighty appeared to him in an extraordinary vision, and renewed his promise of blessing to him. The ladder, which reached from earth to heaven, was a proper image of the Providence of God, whose care extends to all things on earth and in heaven, Psa 113:5-6. The angels are represented ascending and descending upon this mysterious ladder, because these ministering spirits are always active in the execution of the wise designs of Providence, and are especially appointed guardians to watch over and protect the just, Heb 1:14. They ascend, as it were, to receive, and descend to execute the Divine orders. Lastly, by the representation of the Divine Majesty appearing above the ladder, is meant, that however the conduct of Providence be high, and often beyond the reach of human comprehension, yet the whole is under the management of infinite wisdom and goodness; that though we see but a few of the lower steps of the ladder, or that end of it which stands upon the earth, yet it hath a top which reacheth unto heaven; and, could we trace the concatenation of causes and effects up to their hidden source, we should see them all ascend by just gradation higher and higher, till they terminate in the Supreme Being, the first and proper Cause of all, who presides over, superintends, and directs the complicated scheme of Providence, from the beginning of the world to the consummation of things. That this is a true explication of the vision, appears not only from the suitableness of the several images to illustrate all the parts of the moral truth designed, but from the direct application which God makes of it to Jacob, in the 15th verse, by assuring him, that, in consequence of this general view of Providence, and more especially of the grand [evangelical] promise granted to him, his particular interest would always be taken care of, that God was now with him, would keep him in all places whither he went, would bring him again to his father’s land, and not leave him until he had accomplished his promise concerning him. And what could have been a more seasonable relief to him in his present circumstances, than to have such a joyful assurance that, though exiled from his native home, he was still in the presence of his Maker; and that, whatever dangers he might be exposed to in his perilous journey, he was safe from any absolute or real evil, under the Divine foresight and protection. See more in Saurin’s twenty-eighth Dissertation. Eusebius has made it appear, that the heathens have many traces of this vision of Jacob’s, as well as of many other particulars in his life.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Perhaps never one apparently more forlorn and friendless, when he lay down. Perhaps never one more blessed, before he rose up.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 28:11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put [them for] his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
Ver. 11. And he lighted upon a certain place. ] Little thinking to have found heaven there. Let this comfort travellers, and friends that part with them. Jacob never lay better than when he lay outdoors; nor yet slept sweeter than when he laid his head upon a stone. a He was a rich man’s son, and yet inured to take harsh situation.
a Male cubans suaviter dormit, et foeliciter somniat.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
of the stones. Hebrew from; i.e. one from among them. Compare verses: Gen 28:18, Gen 28:22.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
took: Gen 28:18, Gen 31:46, Mat 8:20, 2Co 1:5
put them: This should be “put it;” for we find – Gen 28:18 it was only one stone.
Reciprocal: Gen 25:27 – a plain man Gen 32:10 – my staff 1Ki 19:5 – as he lay Hos 12:4 – found
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 28:11. The stones for his pillows, and the heavens for his canopy! Yet his comfort in the divine blessing, and his confidence in the divine protection, made him easy, even when he lay thus exposed: being sure that his God made him to dwell in safety, he could lie down and sleep upon a stone!