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Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil on the top of it.

Verse Takeaways

1

A Memorial, Not an Idol

Commentators stress that Jacob set up the stone as a memorial to mark the sacred spot of his vision, not as an object of worship. Scholars like Calvin and Gill note that while pagan cultures worshipped stones, Jacob's intent was to create a testimony to God's appearance. This distinction is important, as similar pillars were later forbidden in the Law of Moses precisely because of their misuse in idolatry.

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Book Overview

Genesis

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Commentaries

6

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On Genesis 28:1–22

18th Century

Theologian

קהל qâhāl — “congregation.”

מחלת māchălat — Machalath, “sickness, or a harp.”

לוּז l…

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On Genesis 28:1–22

19th Century

Bishop

THE TÔLDÔTH ISAAC (Genesis 25:19 to Genesis 35:29).

THE BIRTH OF ISAAC’S SONS.

John Calvin

John Calvin

On Genesis 28:18

16th Century

Theologian

And Jacob rose up early. Moses relates that the holy father was not satisfied with merely giving thanks at the time, but would also transm…

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John Gill

John Gill

On Genesis 28:18

17th Century

Pastor

And Jacob rose up early in the morning
In order to proceed on his journey, being comfortably refreshed both in body …

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On Genesis 28:16–19

17th Century

Minister

God manifested himself and his favor to Jacob when he was asleep. The Spirit, like the wind, blows when and where it pleases, and God's grace, like…