Genesis 28:18

_AND JACOB ROSE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND TOOK THE STONE THAT HE HAD PUT FOR HIS PILLOWS, AND SET IT UP FOR A PILLAR, AND POURED OIL UPON THE TOP OF IT._ Jacob ... took the stone, ... - a monument, a cippus (cf. 1 Samuel 7:12). The mere setting up of the stone might have been as a future memorial to mark the spot; and this practice is still common in the East, in memory of a religious vow or engagement. Oil is so much used in the East for food and for bodily refreshment that a supply of it invariably forms an important part of a traveler's viaticum. From its excellent material properties, it came to be used as a symbol for spiritual influences, and, still later, as a means for setting apart or consecrating anything to God. The pouring of oil upon the stone was a consecration; nor was oil the only substance used for this purpose, but wine also, as ghee is in India.

18._And Jacob rose up early_. Moses relates that the holy father was not satisfied with merely giving thanks at the time, but would also transmit a memorial of his gratitude to posterity. Therefore he raised a monument, and gave a name to the place, which implied that he thought such a signal benefit of God worthy to be celebrated in all ages. For this reason, the Scripture not only commands the faithful to sing the praises of God among their brethren; but also enjoins them to train their children to religious duties, and to propagate the worship of God among their descendants. _And set it up for a pillar_. Moses does not mean that the stone was made an idol, but that it should be a special memorial. God indeed uses this word מצבה (_matsbah_,) when he forbids statues to be erected to himself, (Leviticus 26:1,) because almost all statu

16-19 God manifested himself and his favour, to Jacob, when he was asleep. The Spirit, like the wind, blows when and where it listeth, and God's grace, like the dew, tarrieth not for the sons of men. Jacob sought to improve the visit God had made him. Wherever we are, in the city or in the desert, in the house or in the field, in the shop or in the street, we may keep up our intercourse with Heaven, if it is not our own fault. But the more we see of God, the more cause we see for holy trembling before him....

Verse Genesis 28:18. _AND JACOB-TOOK THE STONE - AND SET IT UP_ FOR _A PILLAR_] He placed the stone in an erect posture, that it might stand as a monument of the extraordinary vision which he had in this place; _and he poured oil upon it_, thereby consecrating it to God, so that it might be considered an _altar_ on which libations might be poured, and sacrifices offered unto God. See Genesis 35:14. The Brahmins anoint their _stone images_ with _oil_ before bathing; and some anoint them with sweet-scented oil. This is a practice which arises more from the _customs_ of the Hindoos than from their _idolatry_. Anointing _persons_ as an act of homage has been transferred to their _idols_....

- Jacob’s Journey to Haran 3. קהל _qâhāl_, “congregation.” 9. מחלת _māchălat_, Machalath, “sickness, or a harp.” 19. לוּז _lûz_, Luz, “almond.” The blessing of his sons was the last passage in the active life of Isaac, after which he retires from the scene. Jacob now becomes the leading figure in the sacred history. His spiritual character has yet come out to view. But even now we can discern the general distinction in the lives of the three patriarchs. Abraham’s is a life of authority and decision; Isaac’s, of submission and acquiescence; and Jacob’s, of trial and struggle. Genesis 28:1 Isaac has now become alive to the real destiny of Jacob. He therefore calls for

EXPOSITION GENESIS 28:10 AND JACOB WENT OUT FROM BEERSHEBA,—in obedience to his father's commandment to seek a wife (Genesis 28:2), but also in compliance with his mother's counsel to evade the wrath of Esau (Genesis 27:43; cf. Hosea 12:12. On Beersheba _vide _Genesis 21:31; Genesis 26:33—AND WENT TOWARDS HARAN—probably along the route traversed by Abraham's servant (cf....

AND JACOB ROSE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING,.... In order to proceed on his journey, being comfortably refreshed both in body and mind: but first he TOOK THE STONE THAT HE HAD PUT [FOR] HIS PILLOWS, AND SET IT UP [FOR] A PILLAR; not for a statue or an idol to be worshipped, but for a memorial of the mercy and goodness of God unto him, see Joshua 4:3; indeed, among the Heathens, stones, even rude and unpolished ones, were worshipped as gods; and this was the ancient custom among the Greeks, and which, as Pausanias l says, universally obtained among them: AND POURED OIL UPON THE TOP OF IT; which he had brought with him for necessary uses in his journey, or fetched from the neighbouring city; the former is most likely: and this he did, that he might know it again when he returned, as Aben Ezra remarks, and not for the consecration of it for religious use; though it i

CHAPTER 28 JACOB'S DEPARTURE TO PADAN-ARAM AND HIS VISION _ 1. Isaac sends Jacob away and gives his blessing (Genesis 28:1)_ 2. Esau's action (Genesis 28:6) 3. Jacob's vision and vow (Genesis 28:10) We enter with this upon the interesting wanderings of the third patriarch, Jacob. God was pleased to reveal Himself to the three illustrious men, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as He did not before. In Exodus 3:4 Jehovah reveals Himself to Moses and Jehovah calls Himself “the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. This is My name forever.” In Abraham, as we have seen, we have the type of the Father; in

YAHWEH REVEALS HIMSELF TO JACOB AT BETHEL. This section is taken from J and E. To E Genesis 28:11 f., Genesis 28:17 f., Genesis 28:20_ a_, Genesis 28:22 may be assigned, to J Genesis 28:10; Genesis 28:13, and perhaps Genesis 28:19_ a_. This may be an insertion, so perhaps Genesis 2

JACOB ROSE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING. Sleep had been banished by his wonderful vision. He would hardly have dared to lie down to sleep in. place that seemed the very house of God and gateway to heaven. The revelations called for worship, and. fitting recognition on his part. Hence, as soon as the daylight came, he proceeded to commemorate the events of the night. Took the stone that he had put for his pillows. He took the stone upon which his head had reposed, placed it in an upright position that it might stand as. permanent monument of the vision, and then poured oil upon it, thus anointing it, or consecrating it to God. This was an ancient method of consecration. Aaron and his sons were consecrated by the anointing of oil, when set apart to priestly work; Saul and David were anointed with oil, as kings of Israel. "A pillar erected and anointed was the most ancient monument that marked....