Genesis 29:1 kjv

Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.

Genesis 29:1 nkjv

So Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the East.

Genesis 29:1 niv

Then Jacob continued on his journey and came to the land of the eastern peoples.

Genesis 29:1 esv

Then Jacob went on his journey and came to the land of the people of the east.

Genesis 29:1 nlt

Then Jacob hurried on, finally arriving in the land of the east.

Genesis 29 verses

Genesis 29 1 Meaning

Genesis 29:1 describes Jacob's physical journey and determination following his divine encounter at Bethel. Strengthened and renewed by God's promises and manifest presence, Jacob immediately set out with invigorated purpose, quickening his pace towards Mesopotamia, the ancestral land known as the "land of the people of the East," where he sought refuge and a suitable wife among his mother's kin. The verse highlights his decisive and deliberate movement, empowered by divine leading.

Genesis 29 1 Context

Genesis 29:1 follows immediately after Jacob's profound encounter with God at Bethel (Genesis 28). Jacob had previously deceived his father, Isaac, to secure the birthright blessing, causing him to flee from the vengeful wrath of his brother, Esau (Gen 27). His journey was one of escape, likely filled with fear and uncertainty, as a solitary pilgrim. The dream at Bethel, where God reiterated the Abrahamic covenant and promised Jacob His personal presence and protection, radically transformed Jacob's spirit. From a state of fear and vulnerability, he moved to one of confidence and purpose. This verse, therefore, marks the physical manifestation of his newfound spiritual vigor and divine commission. He is journeying toward Haran, his maternal homeland, as commanded by his parents, seeking a wife from their own kindred (Gen 28:1-2), thus ensuring the continuation of the promised lineage.

Genesis 29 1 Word analysis

• Then Jacob: וַיִּשָּׂא יַעֲקֹב (vayyissā' Yaʿaqōv). "Then" (וַי) serves as a waw consecutive, linking this action directly to the preceding events in Genesis 28, especially Jacob's encounter at Bethel. It signifies immediate succession and consequence. Jacob, whose name means "supplanter" or "he grasps the heel," is still characterized by his natural identity, yet his actions are now influenced by a divine encounter.
• went on his journey: This English rendering often streamlines a very vivid Hebrew idiom.
• lifted up his feet: רַגְלָיו (raglāv). The literal Hebrew reads, "and Jacob lifted up his feet." This idiomatic expression in Hebrew does not simply mean "to walk." Instead, it conveys a sense of renewed strength, determination, enthusiasm, or speed. It implies an eager, resolute departure, in contrast to a weary or hesitant trek. It signifies Jacob's swift and immediate response to God's vision and promise, empowered by a fresh sense of divine guidance and protection. His previous apprehension is replaced with purposeful movement.
• and came: וַיֵּלֶךְ (vayyeleḵ). Simple verb of movement, "and he went." In this context, combined with "lifted up his feet," it emphasizes a deliberate and direct trajectory towards his destination.
• to the land: אֶל-אֶרֶץ (ʾel-ʾereṣ). "Towards the land." Specifies the general region Jacob was headed.
• of the people of the East: בְּנֵי-קֶדֶם (bĕnê-qeḏem). Literally "sons of the East" or "sons of ancientness/forefront." This is a broad geographical designation for the region east of Canaan, encompassing Mesopotamia, particularly referring to the land where Abraham originated (Ur of the Chaldees, then Haran) and where Laban and Rebekah's family resided. This highlights that Jacob is journeying back to his ancestral roots as commanded by God's promise concerning his descendants. It subtly contrasts with the inhabitants of Canaan, implying a search for kin and pure lineage for the covenant promises.

Genesis 29 1 Bonus section

The Hebrew idiom "lifted up his feet" also implicitly stands in contrast to common travel, where weariness might slow one's steps. Here, after a long and possibly anxious journey, followed by a profound all-night spiritual experience, Jacob's response is one of energy and zeal. This indicates not merely physical movement but also a shift in Jacob's internal disposition. His feet were no longer heavy with fear or doubt, but lightened by the weight of divine assurance. This concept resonates throughout Scripture, where zeal and determined effort are often linked to spiritual quickening (e.g., in worship, service, or pilgrimage). The "people of the East" represented not just a location but also the very root of his family line, reminding the original audience of the divine preservation and extension of the Abrahamic covenant through strategic familial connections.

Genesis 29 1 Commentary

Genesis 29:1 marks a pivotal transition for Jacob, moving from a self-serving schemer to a pilgrim operating under divine mandate. The literal translation, "Jacob lifted up his feet," is not merely descriptive but profoundly interpretive. It speaks to a transformative vigor that stemmed directly from his experience at Bethel, where God affirmed His covenant and presence. This spiritual renewal propelled Jacob physically, changing his hurried escape into a purposeful journey. It underscores God's providential care, guiding Jacob to his intended destination despite his past flaws and present circumstances. The immediate action demonstrates an obedience and a newfound trust in the God who had just spoken to him. His journey eastward was thus not just a geographical shift but a testament to a revitalized spirit, responding actively to God's sovereign leading and promise for his life and future lineage. This reflects a fundamental truth: encounters with God empower and direct our path.