Genesis 28:3

_AND GOD ALMIGHTY BLESS THEE, AND MAKE THEE FRUITFUL, AND MULTIPLY THEE, THAT THOU MAYEST BE A MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE;_ A multitude of people, х_ `AMIYM_ (H5971), peoples] - the word uniformly employed in the renewal of the promise to Jacob; whereas the expression used twice to Abraham is, that he should be a father of many х_ GOWYIM_ (H1471)] nations. The invariable use of these different terms in the two cases indicates an essential difference in the substance of the promise as made to the two patriarchs (see the note at Genesis 35:9-12; Genesis 48:3-4)....

3._And God Almighty bless thee_. Here follows the form of benediction, which slightly differs in words from the former, but nevertheless tends to the same end. First, he desires that Jacob should be blessed by God; that is, that he should be so increased and amplified in his own offspring, as to grow into a multitude of nations; or, in other words, that he should produce many people who might combine into one body under the same head; as if he had said, Let there arise from thee many tribes, who shall constitute one people. And this truly was, in some measure, fulfilled when Moses distributed the people into thirteen divisions. Nevertheless, Isaac looked for a further result, namely, that many were at length to be gathered together out of various nations, to the family of his son, that, in this manner, from a vast and previously scattered multitude, might be formed one assembly. For it i...

1-5 Jacob had blessings promised both as to this world and that which is to come; yet goes out to a hard service. This corrected him for the fraud on his father. The blessing shall be conferred on him, yet he shall smart for the indirect course taken to obtain it. Jacob is dismissed by his father with a solemn charge. He must not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan: those who profess religion, should not marry with those that care not for religion. Also with a solemn blessing. Isaac had before blessed him unwittingly; now he does it designedly. This blessing is more full than the former; it is a gospel blessing. This promise looks as high as heaven, of which Canaan was a type. That was the better country which Jacob and the other patriarchs had in view....

Verse Genesis 28:3. _THAT THOU MAYEST BE A MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE_] לקהל עמים _likhal ammim_. There is something very remarkable in the original words: they signify literally _for an assembly_, _congregation_, or _church_ of _peoples_; referring no doubt to the Jewish Church in the wilderness, but more particularly to the _Christian Church_, composed of every kindred, and nation, and people, and tongue. This is one essential part of the blessing of Abraham. See Genesis 28:4....

- 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 28:1 AND ISAAC CALLED JACOB (to his bed-side), AND BLESSED HIM,—in enlarged form, renewing the benediction previously given (Genesis 27:27)—AND SAID UNTO HIM, THOU SHALT NOT TAKE A WIFE OF THE DAUGHTERS OF CANAAN (cf. Genesis 14:3). Intermarriage with the women of the land was expressly forbidden to the theocratic heir, while his attention was directed to his mother's kindred. GENESIS 28:2 ARISE, GO TO PADAN-ARAM (_vide _

AND GOD ALMIGHTY BLESS THEE,.... This is not a new blessing, distinct from that in Genesis 28:1, but the same; there it is expressed in general, here the particulars of it are given; and by which it appears, that Isaac's blessing Jacob was a prayer, wishing a blessing from God upon him, and was the prayer of faith, delivered out under the spirit of prophecy; and they are blessed indeed that are blessed of God, and they must needs be blessed who are blessed by the Almighty; for what is it he cannot do or give? The Targum of Jonathan adds, "with much riches;'' but no doubt all kind of blessings are included, both temporal and spiritual: AND MAKE THEE FRUITFUL, AND MULTIPLY THEE; with a numerous offspring: THAT THOU MAYEST BE A MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE; or an "assembly" or "congregation" g of them; which may all unite in one body and ma

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

GENESIS 27:46 TO GENESIS 28:9. JACOB IS SENT FROM HOME TO MARRY INTO HIS MOTHER'S FAMILY. The reader may readily suppose that Rebekah uses the unfortunate marriage of Esau as a pretext to hide her real reason for sending Jacob away, which was to baulk Esau of his revenge. But this section comes from P and links on to Genesis 26:34 f. Intermarriage with Canaanites was contrary to the ideals of Judaism; Edom may do such things, but not Israel. When Esau learnt that his father was not pleased with his wives, and in sending Jacob to Laban had given him the blessing of Abraham, he married the daughter of Ishmael, his cousin, though not so pure in breed as his own family, since her grandmother was Egyptian. It is noteworthy that

AND. Note the Figure of speech _Polysyndeton_ in verses: Gen 28:28, Genesis 28:3 and Genesis 28:4 (App-6), marking. items in blessing. See App-10. GOD ALMIGHTY. _EI Shaddai._ See App-4. MULTITUDE: or convocation. Hebrew. _kahal._ First occurance. Occurs 123 times: rendered "multitude" 3, "assembly" 17, "congregation" 86, "company" 17. "Compare Genesis 49:6; Psalms 22:22; Psalms 22:25. PEOPLE. Hebrew peoples....