Log inSign up

Genesis 28 · a question people ask

Was Jacob's vow a bargain with God?

Interpretation

Jacob's vow begins "If" (28:20). Its conditions follow God's own promises closely: God said, "I am with you, and will keep you… and will bring you again into this land" (28:15), and Jacob says, "If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go… so that I come again to my father’s house in peace" (28:20-21). Protestants read the vow in two main ways.

How Christians read it

Where Christians differ, Favor sets out the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.

A cautious bargain

Those who hold this view take the "If" at face value: Jacob, who has bargained before (25:31-33), puts conditions on God before he will say "the LORD will be my God" (28:21). They note that God later reminds him, "I am the God of Bethel… where you vowed a vow to me" (31:13).

Genesis 25:31-33 · Genesis 28:20-21 · Genesis 31:13

Taking God at his word

Those who hold this view note that Jacob's conditions follow what God has just promised (28:15), adding only bread and clothing (28:20), and that he answers with worship: a pillar anointed with oil (28:18) and a tenth of all God gives him (28:22). Years later he goes back to build an altar there "to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me on the way which I went" (35:3), and builds it (35:7).

Genesis 28:15 · Genesis 28:18 · Genesis 28:20 · Genesis 28:22 · Genesis 35:3 · Genesis 35:7

The verses

“Behold, I am with you, and will keep you, wherever you go, and will bring you again into this land. For I will not leave you until I have done that which I have spoken of to you.””
Genesis 28:15 · World English Bible
“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 clothing to put on, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, and the LORD will be my God, then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, will be God’s house. Of all that you will give me I will surely give a tenth to you.””
Genesis 28:20-22 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Genesis 28

Genesis 28: The gate of heaven

Isaac sent Jacob away with the blessing of Abraham. On the run, Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven with the angels of God ascending and descending, and the LORD promised, "I am with you, and will keep you… I will not leave you." Jacob named the place Bethel, God's house, and Jesus later said the angels would ascend and descend on the Son of Man.

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekGenesis 28 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Genesis 28

All questions about Genesis →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions