Genesis 28:5

5 So Isaac sent Jacob away: and he went to Paddan-aram, to Laban, son of Bethuel the Aramaean, the brother of Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau.

Genesis 28:5 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 28:5

And Isaac sent away Jacob
From Beersheba; not in anger, or in a dishonourable way, but took his leave of him no doubt in an affectionate manner; as it is clear he went with his blessing, and had his good wishes for a prosperous journey: and he went to Padanaram;
which from Beersheba, according to some ^F8, was four hundred and eighty miles: unto Laban, son of Bethuel the Syrian;
some versions make Laban to be the Syrian, others Bethuel; it is a matter of no great moment which is here so called, since they were both called Syrians, see ( Genesis 25:20 ) : the brother of Rebekah;
this refers to Laban, for Bethuel was her father: Jacob's and Esau's mother;
Jacob is set first, not only as being most beloved by his mother, but as now having the birthright and the blessing.

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 Bunting's Travels, p. 72.

Genesis 28:5 In-Context

3 And may God, the Ruler of all, give you his blessing, giving you fruit and increase, so that you may become an army of peoples.

4 And may God give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your seed, so that the land of your wanderings, which God gave to Abraham, may be your heritage.

5 So Isaac sent Jacob away: and he went to Paddan-aram, to Laban, son of Bethuel the Aramaean, the brother of Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau.

6 So when Esau saw that Isaac had given Jacob his blessing, and sent him away to Paddan-aram to get a wife for himself there, blessing him and saying to him, Do not take a wife from among the women of Canaan;

7 And that Jacob had done as his father and mother said and had gone to Paddan-aram;