Genesis 28:11 kjv
And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
Genesis 28:11 nkjv
So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep.
Genesis 28:11 niv
When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.
Genesis 28:11 esv
And he came to a certain place and stayed there that night, because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head and lay down in that place to sleep.
Genesis 28:11 nlt
At sundown he arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone to rest his head against and lay down to sleep.
Genesis 28 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 28:12-16 | And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up... and the Lord stood above it... | God meets Jacob in a desolate place. |
| Gen 28:17 | And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God.. | Jacob recognizes the place's holiness. |
| Gen 28:19 | And he called the name of that place Bethel... | The desolate "place" is named "House of God". |
| Gen 31:13 | I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me... | God identifies with the Bethel encounter. |
| Gen 35:1 | And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there... | God calls Jacob back to Bethel. |
| Judg 6:11-12 | And there came an angel of the Lord, and sat under an oak... | God appearing to humble figures in obscure places. |
| Matt 8:20 | And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. | Jesus' humble state mirrors Jacob's lack of comfort. |
| Lk 9:58 | And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. | Reinforces Jesus' solidarity with the marginalized. |
| Jn 1:51 | And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man. | Jesus is the ladder, the connection between heaven and earth. |
| Ps 3:5 | I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. | Trust in God provides security in sleep. |
| Ps 4:8 | I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. | Rest is found in reliance on God's safety. |
| Ps 139:7-12 | Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? ... | God's omnipresence ensures His presence even in desolation. |
| Prov 3:24 | When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. | The security found in wisdom/God's favor. |
| Deut 31:6 | Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. | God's steadfast presence and protection. |
| Heb 13:5 | Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. | God's faithfulness to His promises. |
| Phil 4:11-13 | Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. | Contentment in hardship and lack of comfort. |
| 1 Pet 5:7 | Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. | Trusting God in vulnerable moments. |
| 1 Cor 1:27 | But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; | God reveals Himself powerfully in humble contexts. |
| Ex 3:5 | And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. | God making a common place holy by His presence. |
| 1 Tim 3:15 | ...that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. | The concept of "House of God" extends to His people. |
| Job 33:15-17 | In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men... | God's common use of dreams for communication. |
Genesis 28 verses
Genesis 28 11 Meaning
Genesis 28:11 describes Jacob's first night as a fugitive, alone on his journey to Haran. Having no proper lodging, he encounters a nondescript "place" where he decides to spend the night because the sun has set. In his primitive circumstances, he uses stones from that location as a pillow for his head and lies down there to sleep. This verse highlights Jacob's vulnerability, destitution, and humble circumstances, setting the stage for the pivotal divine encounter that follows.
Genesis 28 11 Context
Jacob's flight in Genesis 28 follows his deception of his blind father, Isaac, to receive the patriarchal blessing instead of his elder brother, Esau. This act provoked Esau's murderous intent, leading Rebekah, Jacob's mother, to advise him to flee to her brother Laban in Haran. Jacob embarks on this long journey alone, with meager provisions, highlighting his vulnerable and isolated state. Verse 11 portrays him at his lowest, finding rest in a barren, uninviting wilderness, unaware that this seemingly ordinary place would become the site of a profound encounter with God, known later as Bethel, "the house of God." The setting of hardship and loneliness profoundly contrasts with the divine revelation he receives.
Genesis 28 11 Word analysis
- And he lighted upon (וַיִּפְגַּע, vayyiphga‘): From the Hebrew root paga‘, meaning "to encounter," "to meet," or "to strike upon." While it often implies a chance or accidental meeting, in a theological context within the Abrahamic narrative, it frequently suggests a divinely appointed "encounter." Jacob wasn't just aimlessly wandering; God led him to this specific, predetermined place for His revelation.
- a certain place (מָקוֹם, maqom): This word is repeated several times in the verse, emphasizing its particularity. Maqom means "place" or "standing place." Before God's revelation, it is "a certain place," undefined and common. After the dream, it transforms into "the house of God" (Gen 28:17, 19), imbued with sacred significance. The initial anonymity of the "place" heightens the surprise and impact of the divine presence within it.
- and tarried there all night (וַיָּלֶן שָׁם, vayyalen sham): From the root lun, meaning "to lodge" or "to stay overnight." Jacob's rest was not by choice for comfort but out of necessity due to the fading light. This signifies his weariness and lack of alternatives, underscoring his exposed condition.
- because the sun was set: Marks the arrival of night, necessitating a halt to his journey. It implies a sense of urgency to find a place of rest, however minimal.
- and he took of the stones (מֵאַבְנֵי הַמָּקוֹם, me'avney hammaqom): Avanim means "stones" or "rocks." These are not carved or selected stones, but simply "of the stones of the place," indicating readily available, natural, and probably uncomfortable materials. This detail further highlights his desolate situation.
- and put them for his pillows (וַיָּשֶׂם מְרַאֲשֹׁתָיו, vayyasem mera'ashotav): Mera'ashotav literally means "at his head" or "under his head." It refers to something placed at the head to rest upon, functioning as a pillow. The use of hard stones instead of a soft pillow emphasizes his discomfort and humble state. This physical hardship contrasts sharply with the spiritual blessing he is about to receive.
- and lay down in that place to sleep: Concludes the actions of finding rest. Despite the harsh conditions, Jacob achieves sleep, perhaps out of exhaustion. This simple act of sleeping in a vulnerable position paves the way for the profound divine communication through a dream, illustrating that God often meets humanity in moments of extreme humility and helplessness.
Genesis 28 11 Bonus section
- Significance of "Maqom" (Place): The repeated mention of "the place" (maqom) is a significant literary device. It transforms an unnamed, arbitrary location into a site of profound theological importance due to God's self-revelation. This emphasis prefigures the renaming of the spot to Bethel ("House of God"), signifying that holiness is imparted by God's presence, not by human designation or inherent sanctity.
- The Patriarch's Journeys: Jacob's journey to Haran, like Abraham's earlier migrations, is a motif of faith and reliance on divine guidance. Even when appearing lost or destitute, the patriarchs are implicitly under God's watchful eye.
- Contrast with Human Expectations: This verse highlights a common biblical theme: God often meets individuals not when they are comfortable and secure, but when they are at their lowest point, vulnerable, and in dire need. This unexpected divine encounter in a desolate place underscores God's grace and sovereignty, not man's effort or merit. It subtly critiques the notion that grand altars or humanly impressive structures are necessary preconditions for divine communion.
Genesis 28 11 Commentary
Genesis 28:11 powerfully sets the scene for Jacob's defining encounter with God, often called "Jacob's Ladder." The verse paints a stark picture of a lone, desperate fugitive who, due to circumstance (sunset), finds an impromptu lodging. His choice of "stones of that place" for a pillow accentuates his vulnerability and the absence of any worldly comforts. This seemingly ordinary, even bleak, environment becomes the very stage for God's extraordinary intervention. The passage implicitly underscores a theological truth: God's presence is not confined to sacred shrines or human constructs but can be revealed anywhere, especially in moments of human weakness and need. Jacob, the trickster, is reduced to relying on the very earth beneath him, positioning him to receive a revelation that would shape his identity and the future of the covenant people. His physical discomfort on the cold stones ironically prefigures the immense spiritual comfort and assurance of God's unwavering covenant he is about to receive.