Arise, go to Padanaram, to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father; and take thee a wife from thence of the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother.

GENESIS 28:2KJV
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Genesis 28:2 (KJV)

What does Genesis 28:2 mean?

Genesis 28:2 tells Jacob to get up and travel to Padanaram, to his grandfather Bethuel’s house, and to marry one of the daughters of Laban, his mother’s brother. The verse is a direct instruction about where Jacob should go and whom he should marry, keeping his marriage within his extended family.

In this verse, Isaac is speaking to his son Jacob. The situation is that Jacob is being sent away from home, both to avoid conflict with his brother Esau and to find a wife from among his relatives, rather than from the local Canaanite people. The instruction is specific: Jacob is to seek a wife from his mother’s side of the family, emphasizing family ties and cultural continuity.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 28:2

  • פַּדַּנֲָּרָם (Padanaram, transliteration: Paddan-aram): This name refers to a region in northern Mesopotamia. Mentioning this specific place highlights that Jacob is being sent far from home to a known family location.
  • בֵּית (house, transliteration: beit): The word for “house” here means more than just a building; it refers to the household or family of Bethuel, showing that Jacob is to connect with his extended kin.
  • לָקַח (take, transliteration: laqach): The verb “take” here is a common Hebrew term for marrying or acquiring a wife, emphasizing an intentional and formal choice.
  • אִשָּׁה (wife, transliteration: ishah): This word simply means “woman” or “wife,” but in this context, it underscores the importance of marriage arrangements within the family.

Why Genesis 28:2 matters

  • Genesis 28:2 clarifies that Jacob’s marriage is not just a personal matter but a family concern, with his parents guiding him to maintain their traditions and values.
  • The verse helps explain why Jacob leaves home, connecting his journey to both family safety and the broader story of the patriarchs seeking wives from their own kin.
  • By specifying Laban and Bethuel, the verse ties Jacob’s story to earlier events in Genesis, showing continuity in how Abraham’s family sought spouses for their children.

Where else these words appear

“Bethuel” Hebrew H1328 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 22:22 And Chesed, and Hazo, and Pildash, and Jidlaph, and Bethuel.
  • Genesis 24:24 And she said unto him, I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, which she bare unto Nahor.
  • Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.

“Padanaram” Hebrew H6307 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 25:20 And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian.
  • Genesis 28:7 And that Jacob obeyed his father and his mother, and was gone to Padanaram;
  • Genesis 35:9 And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.

“Laban” Hebrew H3837 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 24:29 And Rebekah had a brother, and his name was Laban: and Laban ran out unto the man, unto the well.
  • Genesis 29:25 And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?
  • Genesis 31:24 And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.