John Gill Commentary Genesis 28:20

John Gill Commentary

Genesis 28:20

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
John Gill
John Gill

John Gill Commentary

Genesis 28:20

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"And 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 raiment to put on," — Genesis 28:20 (ASV)

And Jacob vowed a vow
Which is the first vow we read of in Scripture: saying, if God will be with me ;
the word if is not a sign of doubting, but is either an adverb of time, and may be rendered, "when God shall be with me" F20 ; or as a supposition, expressive of an inference or conclusion drawn, "seeing God will be with me" F21 ; which he has the utmost reason to believe he would, since he had not only promised it, but has so lately granted him his presence in a very singular and remarkable manner, referring to the promise of God, (Genesis 28:15) : and will keep me in this way that I go ;
as he had said he would, and as hitherto he had, and for the future he had reason to believe he still would: and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on ;
which is included in that clause, "I will not leave you" (Genesis 28:15) , even not without food and raiment; which is all men can desire or use, and therefore with them should be content.


FOOTNOTES:

  • F20: (Ma) "quum", Junius & Tremellius; so Ainsworth.
  • F21: Quandoquidem, Tigurine version.