Genesis 28:15 kjv

And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.

Genesis 28:15 nkjv

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you."

Genesis 28:15 niv

I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

Genesis 28:15 esv

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."

Genesis 28:15 nlt

What's more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you."

Genesis 28 verses

Genesis 28 15 Meaning

God here makes an absolute promise to Jacob during his flight from Esau. He declares His perpetual presence with Jacob, assuring divine protection and guidance no matter where he travels. Most significantly, God guarantees Jacob's safe return to the land of Canaan, emphasizing that His divine commitment, embodied in His spoken word and covenant, will be fully accomplished and will not be abandoned until every promise is fulfilled. This is a covenantal assurance of unfailing faithfulness.

Genesis 28 15 Context

Genesis 28:15 occurs immediately after Jacob's profound dream at Bethel. Fleeing the wrath of his brother Esau after deceiving Isaac for the birthright blessing (Gen 27), Jacob is at a low point, vulnerable and alone. He stops at a certain place for the night, lays his head on a stone, and dreams of a ladder (or staircase) reaching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. Above the ladder, God Himself stands. The preceding verses (Gen 28:13-14) describe God identifying Himself as the God of Abraham and Isaac, then reaffirming the covenant promises of land, innumerable offspring, and universal blessing through Jacob's lineage, originally made to Abraham and reiterated to Isaac. Verse 15 builds directly upon this, shifting from the promises concerning his descendants and land to a personal assurance of divine presence and protection for Jacob personally during his arduous journey and until the complete fulfillment of all stated promises. This revelation transforms Jacob's desolate night into a moment of divine encounter and covenant renewal.

Genesis 28 15 Word analysis

• Behold (הִנֵּה - hinneh): An emphatic interjection. It commands attention to the divine declaration that follows, highlighting its certainty and significance. It prepares the listener for a direct revelation from God.
• I (אָנֹכִי - ʼānoḵî): God explicitly identifies Himself as the active agent. This personal pronoun emphasizes the divine Speaker's direct involvement and authority in making the promise.
• am with you (עִמָּךְ - ʿimmāḵ): Hebrew often conveys presence through prepositions. This signifies a close, personal, and supportive relationship. It implies divine companionship, favor, and aid, not just theoretical awareness. This recurring phrase throughout the Bible assures God's active involvement in the life of His chosen ones.
• and will keep you (וּשְׁמַרְתִּיךָ - ǔshmartāḵ): From the verb shamar (שָׁמַר), meaning "to guard, preserve, watch over, protect." This denotes active and comprehensive protection from dangers, both seen and unseen, safeguarding Jacob physically and ensuring his well-being.
• wherever you go (בְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר־תֵּלֵךְ - běkhôl ǎshěr-tēlēkh): This phrase emphasizes the boundless extent of God's protective presence. It assures Jacob that no matter how far he travels or what unfamiliar territory he encounters, he will remain under God's vigilant care. It combats the ancient belief that deities were localized.
• and will bring you back (וַהֲשִׁבֹתִיךָ - vahašibōtîkhā): From the root shuv (שׁוּב), meaning "to return" or "restore." In the Hiphil causative stem, it means "cause to return" or "bring back." This is a definitive guarantee of safe repatriation, directly addressing Jacob's present condition as a fugitive leaving his home.
• to this land (אֶל־הָאָדָמָה הַזֹּאת - ʾel-hāʾădāmâ hazzoʾt): Refers to the land of Canaan, specifically the spot where Jacob is presently, Bethel. This firmly connects the promise to the specific land of the Abrahamic covenant, underscoring its historical and prophetic significance.
• for I will not leave you (לֹא אֶעֱזָבְךָ - loʾ ʾeʾězāvekā): A strong negation. From ʿazav (עָזַב), meaning "to abandon, forsake, desert." This is a solemn oath emphasizing God's unyielding commitment, a bedrock assurance against abandonment in any circumstance.
• until I have done (עַד־אִם־עָשִׂיתִי - ʿad ʾim ʿāśîtî): Signifies a guaranteed completion. This is a divine deadline—God's faithfulness is demonstrated by seeing His promises through to their very end. There's no possibility of His work remaining unfinished.
• what I have spoken to you (אֵת אֲשֶׁר־דִּבַּרְתִּי לָךְ - ʾēth ʾǎshěr-dibārtî lāk): Refers to all the preceding covenant promises and assurances. God's divine word (davar) is His bond; it is performative and has inherent power to accomplish what it declares.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go": This opening segment establishes God's personal and ever-present commitment. It conveys omnipresent protection that transcends geographical boundaries, offering comprehensive security against any adversity Jacob might face on his journey. It implies active guardianship and not mere observation.
• "and will bring you back to this land": This phrase pinpoints a critical future event—Jacob's guaranteed return. It underscores the specific land promises of the Abrahamic covenant, assuring that Jacob, as the heir, will personally partake in this part of the covenant. It is a promise of restoration and homecoming.
• "for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you": This serves as the powerful bedrock for all the preceding promises. It articulates God's unwavering faithfulness and determination to fully complete His divine plan. This isn't conditional on Jacob's behavior but rests solely on God's character and word. It defines the timeframe and the certainty of God's covenant actions.

Genesis 28 15 Bonus section

• This verse highlights God's initiative in His covenant relationship. Jacob did not seek God out; God sovereignly revealed Himself and extended the promise.
• The "I am with you" promise recurs significantly in Scripture for those called to difficult tasks, from Moses (Ex 3:12) to Joshua (Josh 1:5) and the disciples (Matt 28:20), indicating it's not merely comfort but divine empowerment for purpose.
• The phrase "until I have done what I have spoken" underscores the theological concept of God's perfect perseverance in His own plans. His purposes will inevitably be brought to completion.
• Jacob's later life (e.g., his wrestling with the angel in Gen 32, his family troubles) demonstrates that God's presence and promises do not exempt one from trials or personal struggles, but ensure ultimate divine triumph and covenant fulfillment. God keeps His promises despite Jacob's imperfect faith.
• This verse provides a theological framework for understanding God's relationship with Israel through subsequent generations: His presence, protection, and promise to return them to the land, alongside the unfailing commitment to His covenant words, remain consistent.

Genesis 28 15 Commentary

Genesis 28:15 stands as a profound declaration of God's unconditional faithfulness amidst human brokenness. Jacob is a deceiver, fleeing, and now desolate, yet God sovereignly initiates this encounter and affirms the covenant promises without a prerequisite for Jacob's immediate moral uprightness or merit. This verse is not merely a comforting promise for a weary traveler; it is a fundamental articulation of God's nature as the covenant-keeping Lord.

God's pronouncement "I am with you" (Ex 3:12; Jos 1:5; Isa 41:10) is a hallmark of divine assurance in the Bible, signifying presence, power, and partnership. His promise to "keep" Jacob speaks to comprehensive, protective oversight, while "wherever you go" transcends spatial limitations, establishing God's omnipresence and universal authority, countering any pagan notions of localized deities. The crucial promise "will bring you back to this land" reiterates the indispensable land aspect of the Abrahamic covenant, which is vital for the formation of the nation of Israel and their subsequent history.

The concluding affirmation, "for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you," highlights the non-negotiable certainty of divine fulfillment. God's word (His "davar") is not empty; it carries its own power to achieve what it proclaims (Isa 55:11). This guarantee grounds Jacob's future security not in his strength or cunning, but solely in the unyielding commitment and integrity of God. This principle of divine faithfulness assures believers that God's plans and promises are steadfast and will ultimately come to pass, regardless of immediate circumstances or personal shortcomings. It calls Jacob, and by extension all believers, to trust in God's faithfulness despite fearful circumstances.