Genesis 28:21

21 so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the LORD[a] will be my God

Genesis 28:21 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:
English Standard Version (ESV)
21 so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God,
New Living Translation (NLT)
21 and if I return safely to my father’s home, then the LORD will certainly be my God.
The Message Bible (MSG)
21 and brings me back in one piece to my father's house, this God will be my God.
American Standard Version (ASV)
21 so that I come again to my father's house in peace, and Jehovah will be my God,
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
21 and if I return safely to my father's home, then the LORD will be my God.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
21 and if I return safely to my father's house, then the Lord will be my God.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
21 May he do as he has promised so that I can return safely to my father's home. Then you, Lord, will be my God.

Genesis 28:21 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 28:21

So that I come again to my father's house in peace
In safety from Esau, and all other enemies, as God promised him he should: then the Lord shall be my God;
not as if he should not be his God if he did not do all this for him; which would savour not only of a mercenary spirit, but of great impiety; neither of which were to be found in Jacob: but the meaning is, that he should not only continue to own him as his God, and to worship him, but having fresh obligations upon him, should be stirred up more eagerly and devoutly to serve him in a very singular way and manner, and particularly by doing what is expressed in ( Genesis 28:22 ) . Some think he has respect to the Messiah, owning him to be the true God with the Father and the blessed Spirit, who had appeared to Abraham, and was the fear of Isaac, and whom Jacob now owned as his God: this receives some confirmation from the Targum of Jonathan, which begins the paragraph thus,

``if the Word of the Lord will be my help then the Lord shall be my God.''

Genesis 28:21 In-Context

19 He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz.
20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear
21 so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the LORD will be my God
22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”

Cross References 3

  • 1. Judges 11:31
  • 2. S ver 15
  • 3. Exodus 15:2; Deuteronomy 26:17; Joshua 24:18; Psalms 48:14; Psalms 118:28

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "Since God … father’s household, the " Lord
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.