Jacob’s Dream at Bethel
Genesis 28:10-22
Gen.28.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מבאר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שבע: NUM,card
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- חרנה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- Gen.27:43-45 (structural): Immediate narrative cause of Jacob's departure — Rebekah and Isaac urge Jacob to flee to Laban in Haran to escape Esau's threat, which directly leads to Gen 28:10.
- Gen.29:1 (structural): Narrative continuation: Jacob's arrival in the region of Haran (the land of the easterners) and his meeting with Rachel — the destination toward which he set out in 28:10.
- Gen.12:1-5 (thematic): Abram's earlier departure from Haran to go to a foreign land — a comparable patriarchal journey that frames themes of leaving home and divine direction.
- Gen.31:17-21 (thematic): Jacob's later flight from Laban back toward Canaan — another episode of clandestine departure, travel in exile, and concern for safety within Jacob's life.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran.
- And Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran.
Gen.28.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפגע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- במקום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וילן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- כי: CONJ
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- השמש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מאבני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מראשתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- וישכב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- במקום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
Parallels
- Gen.28:18-22 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the scene: Jacob takes the stone he used as a pillow, sets it up as a pillar and pours oil on it — same actions and the consecration of the place begun in 28:11.
- Gen.35:14-15 (structural): When Jacob later returns to Bethel he repeats the ritual of setting up a stone as a pillar and consecrating the site, explicitly echoing the actions and sanctification that began in 28:11–18.
- Exod.3:1-6 (thematic): Moses' encounter with God at Horeb and the designation of the spot as holy (remove sandals/holy ground) parallels the motif of a divine revelation tied to a specific place that Jacob experiences after laying down in 28:11.
- Judg.6:11-24 (thematic): Gideon's nocturnal divine visitation and subsequent ritual response (preparing an offering/building an altar) echoes the pattern of an unexpected divine appearance at a personal lodging-place followed by consecration, similar to Jacob's sleep and later dedication of the stone.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he came upon the place and spent the night there, for the sun had set; and he took from the stones of the place and set them at his head, and he lay down in that place.
- And he came upon the place and lodged there, for the sun had set; and he took one of the stones of the place and set it at his head, and he lay down in that place.
Gen.28.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויחלם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- והנה: ADV
- סלם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מצב: VERB,pual,ptcp,-,m,sg
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וראשו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- מגיע: VERB,qal,ptcp,-,m,sg
- השמימה: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והנה: ADV
- מלאכי: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עלים: VERB,qal,ptcp,-,m,pl
- וירדים: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- John 1:51 (verbal): Jesus echoes Jacob's vision language: 'angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man,' directly alluding to Genesis' ladder and identifying himself as the link between heaven and earth.
- Genesis 35:9-13 (thematic): A later theophany to Jacob where God reaffirms the covenant promises first given at Bethel (the site of the ladder vision), continuing the theme of divine presence and promise.
- Psalm 91:11 (thematic): Speaks of God commanding his angels to guard believers—uses the motif of angels acting between heaven and earth, paralleling the ladder vision's depiction of heavenly messengers.
- Hebrews 1:14 (thematic): Describes angels as 'ministering spirits sent out to serve,' resonating with Genesis' depiction of angels moving between heaven and earth to minister to humans.
- 2 Kings 6:15-17 (thematic): Elisha's servant's eyes are opened to see heavenly hosts around Elisha—another passage where angelic/ heavenly beings are revealed as active intermediaries between God and the human realm.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder set upon the earth, and its top reaching the heavens; and behold, angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
- And he dreamed, and behold, a stairway set upon the earth, and its top reaching the heavens; and behold, angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
Gen.28.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והנה: ADV
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נצב: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אברהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביך: NOUN,m,sg,suff+2ms
- ואלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יצחק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- שכב: VERB,qal,inf
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- אתננה: VERB,qal,fut,1,sg
- ולזרעך: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Gen.12:7 (thematic): God appears to Abram and promises the land to his offspring — the original granting of the land that Genesis 28:13 recalls and builds upon.
- Gen.17:8 (thematic): God's covenant formula: 'I will give to you and your offspring the land' — a formalization of the land-and-seed promise echoed to Jacob in 28:13.
- Gen.26:3-4 (verbal): God repeats the land-and-descendants promise to Isaac using language very similar to that addressed to Abraham and to Jacob, emphasizing continuity of the covenant.
- Exod.3:6 (verbal): God identifies himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — the same patriarchal identification used in Genesis 28:13 to ground the promise to Jacob in covenant history.
- Gen.35:12 (allusion): A later reaffirmation to Jacob: 'the land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you and your offspring,' explicitly echoing and confirming the promise of 28:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- And behold, the LORD stood over him and said, I am the LORD, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you are lying, to you I will give it and to your seed.
- And behold, YHWH stood beside him and said, I am YHWH, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you are lying, to you I will give it and to your seed.
Gen.28.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- זרעך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- כעפר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ופרצת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ימה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וקדמה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וצפנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ונגבה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ונברכו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
- בך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- כל: DET
- משפחת: NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- האדמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ובזרעך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 13:16 (verbal): God promises Abram offspring 'like the dust of the earth' — nearly identical language about multitudinous seed.
- Genesis 12:3 (verbal): The earlier Abrahamic promise that 'all the families of the earth shall be blessed' through Abram, echoed here in Jacob's blessing.
- Genesis 22:17 (thematic): God promises Abraham innumerable descendants ('as the stars of heaven and as the sand') — a parallel promise of vast posterity and blessing.
- Genesis 26:4 (verbal): The promise to Isaac repeats Abraham's covenantal blessing (numerous offspring and blessing to nations), directly paralleling the Jacob text.
- Galatians 3:16 (allusion): Paul cites the 'seed' promise to Abraham and interprets it Christologically — connecting the Abrahamic/Joel promise of blessing to all peoples with New Testament fulfillment.
Alternative generated candidates
- And your seed shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread out westward and eastward and northward and southward; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your seed.
- And your seed shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread out westward and eastward and northward and southward; and all the families of the earth shall bless themselves by you and by your seed.
Gen.28.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והנה: ADV
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- ושמרתיך: VERB,qal,imprf,1,m,sg+OBJ:2,m,sg
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תלך: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- והשבתיך: VERB,hif,imprf,1,m,sg+OBJ:2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- האדמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- אעזבך: VERB,qal,imprf,1,m,sg+OBJ:2,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אם: CONJ
- עשיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דברתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Gen.26:3-5 (verbal): God promises to be with Isaac and to give the land to his descendants — parallel language of divine presence, protection, and fulfillment of the ancestral promise to Abraham (echo of 'I will be with you' and land/seed promise).
- Gen.31:3 (verbal): God tells Jacob to return to his homeland and says 'I will be with thee,' repeating the assurance of divine presence tied to return to the land.
- Exod.3:12 (verbal): God's commission to Moses includes the pledge 'Certainly I will be with thee,' a comparable assurance of presence and support for a mission or journey.
- Josh.1:5 (quotation): God's covenantal promise to Joshua — 'I will not leave thee, nor forsake thee' — closely echoes Genesis 28:15's assurance of ongoing divine presence until God's purposes are accomplished.
- Heb.13:5 (allusion): New Testament invocation of God's promise 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee' as a theological application of the same assurance of God's abiding presence and faithfulness.
Alternative generated candidates
- And behold, I am with you, and I will guard you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.
- And behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.
Gen.28.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וייקץ: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- משנתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3ms
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אכן: ADV
- יש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- במקום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- ואנכי: PRON,1,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- ידעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
Parallels
- Exod.3.5-6 (verbal): Both scenes register a sudden recognition of sacredness in a specific locale: Jacob declares ‘the LORD is in this place,’ while God tells Moses the ground he stands on is holy—both mark theophanic presence tied to place.
- Gen.35.1-7 (structural): Jacob’s later return to Bethel repeats and develops the Bethel/ladder motif: he again recognizes God’s presence, builds an altar, and renames the site, making Genesis 28 the narrative seed for this reprise.
- John 1.51 (allusion): Jesus’ words about angels ascending and descending echo Jacob’s dream of a ladder with angels, explicitly alluding to the Genesis scene and its theological implications about heaven–earth connection.
- Judg.13.20-22 (thematic): Manoah and his wife respond to a divine appearance with fear and the conviction that seeing God brings death—paralleling Jacob’s startled, awe‑filled realization of God’s presence.
- Ps.139.7-10 (thematic): While Jacob discovers God’s presence in a particular place, Psalm 139 thematically frames God’s pervasive presence everywhere, underscoring the theological significance of recognizing God’s nearness.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.
- And Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, Surely YHWH is in this place, and I did not know it.
Gen.28.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויירא: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- נורא: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- אין: PART,neg
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וזה: CONJ+PRON,dem,m,sg,abs
- שער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- John 1:51 (allusion): Jesus alludes to Jacob’s vision: angels ascending and descending on the Son of Man, echoing Jacob’s idea of the site as the connection between heaven and earth (a 'gate of heaven').
- Exodus 3:5 (thematic): Moses is told the ground is holy and to remove his sandals at the divine presence; like Jacob’s fear and confession that the place is the house of God. Both texts mark a location as set apart by God’s immediate presence.
- Psalm 24:7-10 (structural): Uses gate/door imagery for the coming of the divine King. Parallels Genesis 28:17’s language of a 'gate of heaven' as an entrance for God’s presence or glory.
- 1 Kings 8:10-13 (thematic): At the dedication of Solomon’s temple the glory of the LORD fills the house of the LORD; parallels Jacob’s declaration that the site is 'none other than the house of God,' signifying divine indwelling in a locus.
- Ezekiel 43:2-4 (thematic): The glory of the LORD returns to the temple and enters by the gate, echoing the motif of a sacred place where heaven and God’s presence meet — similar to Jacob’s 'gate of heaven' insight.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he was afraid and said, How awe-inspiring is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
- And he was afraid and said, How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of the heavens.
Gen.28.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכם: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בבקר: PREP
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- האבן: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שם: ADV
- מראשתיו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- וישם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- מצבה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויצק: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שמן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ראשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Gen.35:14 (verbal): Near-verbatim repetition: Jacob again ‘set up a pillar’ (stone) at the place he had met God and ‘poured oil’ on it — almost the same actions and wording as 28:18.
- Gen.28:22 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: the same stone is called a pillar and Jacob vows it will be God’s house (Bethel), linking the monument to the site's sacred significance.
- Gen.31:13 (allusion): God identifies himself as ‘the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar,’ explicitly recalling Jacob’s setting up and anointing of the stone in 28:18.
- Josh.4:20-24 (thematic): Setting up stones as memorials: Joshua erects stones taken from the Jordan as a lasting sign/monument for Israel — a comparable practice of erecting stones to mark a divine encounter.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jacob rose early in the morning and took the stone that he had put at his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil upon its top.
- And Jacob rose early in the morning and took the stone that he had set at his head and set it up as a pillar, and he poured oil upon its top.
Gen.28.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שם: ADV
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ואולם: CONJ
- לוז: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לראשנה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.35:6-7,15 (verbal): Jacob returns to the same site, builds an altar and again names the place Bethel/El-bethel; the narrative repeats the identification with Luz (v.15 mentions Luz explicitly).
- Judges 1:22-26 (allusion): A separate tradition about Bethel/Luz: the passage preserves the older name Luz and a story about the city's inhabitants fleeing and reestablishing Luz, linking the two place-names.
- Gen.12:8 (thematic): Abraham's earlier use of the site — he pitches near Bethel, builds an altar and calls on the name of the LORD — showing Bethel's role as a patriarchal sacred site.
- 1 Kings 12:28-29 (thematic): In the divided monarchy Bethel becomes a major cultic center (Jeroboam sets up a golden calf there), reflecting the site's longstanding religious significance referenced by the naming in Gen 28:19.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he called the name of that place Bethel; but formerly the name of the city was Luz.
- And he called the name of that place Bethel; but Luz was the name of the city at the first.
Gen.28.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נדר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- אם: CONJ
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עמדי: PREP+1cs
- ושמרני: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+SUFF:1,sg
- בדרך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- הולך: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- ונתן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאכל: INF,qal
- ובגד: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ללבש: INF,qal
Parallels
- Gen.28.15 (verbal): Immediate literary parallel: God’s promise “I am with you and will keep you” directly precedes Jacob’s vow and uses the same language that Jacob conditions God’s favor upon.
- Gen.32:9-12 (structural): Jacob’s later prayer before meeting Esau recalls God’s presence and blessing and petitions for protection and deliverance—similar appeal to God’s keeping and provision in the face of danger.
- 1 Sam.1:11 (thematic): Hannah’s conditional vow to the LORD if He grants a son parallels Jacob’s conditional vow—both are personal promises made to God contingent on receiving divine provision.
- Judg.11:30-31 (thematic): Jephthah’s conditional vow (promise made to secure divine favor/victory) parallels the formal shape and intent of Jacob’s vow—private oaths appealing to God for help and blessing.
- Matt.6:31-33 (thematic): Jesus’ teaching not to worry about food and clothing and to trust the Father for provision echoes the underlying concern of Jacob’s vow (asking God for bread and garments) and the conviction that God will provide.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me and will guard me in this way that I am going, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear,
- And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me and will keep me on this way that I am going, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear,
Gen.28.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושבתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,sg
- בשלום: PREP
- אל: NEG
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לאלהים: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.28:20-22 (structural): Immediate context — Jacob’s vow at Bethel includes the same petition to return safely to his father’s house and commitment to Yahweh as his God (the verse is part of this vow).
- Gen.31:13 (thematic): God’s promise to Jacob to bring him back to his native land and be with him — parallels Jacob’s hope for a peaceful return and reliance on Yahweh’s presence.
- Ruth 1:16 (verbal): Ruth’s declaration ‘Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God’ echoes the personal commitment ‘the LORD shall be my God’ — a pledge of exclusive loyalty to Yahweh.
- Josh.24:15 (thematic): Joshua’s challenge ‘as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD’ parallels the household/house motif and Jacob’s determination that Yahweh be his God and thereby define his household identity.
- Ps.121:8 (thematic): ‘The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in’ resonates with Jacob’s petition and expectation that God will bring him back in peace to his father’s house.
Alternative generated candidates
- and I return in peace to my father’s house, then the LORD shall be my God,
- and I return in peace to my father's house, then YHWH shall be my God,
Gen.28.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והאבן: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שמתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- מצבה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תתן: VERB,qal,imprf,2,_,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- אעשרנו: VERB,qal,imprf,1,_,sg+PRON,3,_,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 28:17 (verbal): Same episode at Bethel — Jacob calls the place 'the house of God' and 'the gate of heaven,' directly linked to his vow to set up the stone as a pillar.
- Genesis 14:18-20 (thematic): Abram/Abraham gives a tenth to Melchizedek — an earlier narrative precedent for offering a 'tenth' to God or God's representative.
- Leviticus 27:30 (thematic): The law prescribing a tithe ('a tenth') as holy to the LORD echoes Jacob's vow to give a tenth of all that God gives him.
- Exodus 25:8 (thematic): Command to build a sanctuary so God may 'dwell among' his people parallels Jacob's designation of the pillar/stone site as a 'house of God' — the divine dwelling motif.
- 1 Kings 12:28-30 (allusion): Jeroboam establishes a cultic center at Bethel (setting up shrines/altars there), later appropriation of Bethel's identity as a 'house' or center for worship — a polemical echo of Jacob's Bethel.
Alternative generated candidates
- and this stone, which I have set up as a pillar, shall be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will surely give a tenth to you.
- and this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God's house; and of all that you give me I will surely give a tenth to you.
And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba and went toward Haran. And he came upon the place and spent the night there, for the sun had set; and he took one of the stones of the place and placed it at his head, and he lay down in that place. And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and its top reaching the heavens; and behold, angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, YHWH was standing over him, and He said, I am YHWH, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you are lying, to you I will give it and to your seed. And your seed shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread out westward and eastward and northward and southward; and all the families of the earth shall be blessed in you and in your seed. And behold, I am with you and I will keep you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you. And Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, Surely YHWH is in this place, and I did not know. And he was afraid and said, How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of the heavens. And Jacob rose early in the morning and took the stone that he had placed at his head and set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on its top. And he called the name of that place Bethel; but Luz was the name of the city at the first. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I am going, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear,
and I return in peace to my father’s house, then YHWH will be my God,
and this stone which I have set up as a pillar shall be a house of God; and of all that you give me I will surely tithe to you.