Even though Jacob tricked his father in order to receive Esau's blessing, the chapter repeats the blessing, ensuring he inherits the blessings promised to Abraham. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#bless and /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#inherit and /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#promise)
Jacob had a dream or received a vision. The purpose of this dream is to show that, despite Jacob's sin, God is giving Abraham's covenant promises to Jacob and his descendants. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#sin and /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#covenant and /WA-Catalog/en_tw?section=kt#promise)
This was an important city for Abraham and his descendants. It is possible that there is some theological significance to the city of Bethel.
"Do not take"
"Go right away"
This was another name for the region of Mesopotamia, which about the same location as modern Iraq. See how this was translated in Genesis 25:20. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-names)
This refers to a person's descendants or other relatives. Alternate translation: "family" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-metonymy)
Bethuel was Rebekah's father. See how you translated this name in Genesis 22:22. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-names)
"your grandfather"
"from the daughters"
"your uncle"
Isaac continues speaking to Jacob
The word "multiply" explains how God would make Jacob "fruitful." Alternate translation: "give you many children and descendants" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-doublet)
This speaks about blessing someone as if a blessing were an object that a person can give. The abstract noun "the blessing" can be stated as "bless." Alternate translation: "May God bless you and your descendants as he blessed Abraham" or "May God give to you and your descendants what he promised to Abraham" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-metaphor and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-abstractnouns)
God giving the land of Canaan to Jacob and his descendants is spoken of as if a child were inheriting money or possessions from his father. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-metaphor)
"the land where you have been staying"
"which God promised to Abraham"
This was another name for the region of Mesopotamia, which about the same location as modern Iraq. See how this was translated in Genesis 25:20. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-names)
Bethuel was Rebekah's father. See how you translated this name in Genesis 22:22. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-names)
The story changes from Jacob to Esau
This word is used here to mark a change from the story to background information about Esau. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#writing-background)
This was another name for the region of Mesopotamia, which about the same location as modern Iraq. See how this was translated in Genesis 25:20. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-names)
"to take a wife for himself"
"Esau also saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob"
"Do not take"
"daughters of Canaan" or "Canaanite women"
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This continues the background information about Esau.
"Esau realized"
"his father Isaac did not approve of the women of Canaan"
"daughters of Canaan" or "the Canaanite women"
"Because of that, he went"
"in addition to the wives that he already had"
This is the name of one of Ishmael's daughters. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-names)
This is the name of one of Ishmael's sons. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-names)
The story switches back to Jacob
"He came to a certain place and, because the sun had set, he decided to stay for the night"
"Jacob had a dream"
"with the bottom of it touching the ground"
This refers to the place where God lives.
The word "behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
Possible meanings are 1) "Yahweh was standing at the top of the stairway" or 2) "Yahweh was standing next to Jacob"
Here "father" means "ancestor." Alternate translation: "Abraham your ancestor" or "Abraham your forefather"
God continues to talk to Jacob in a dream.
God compares Jacob's descendants to the dust of the earth to emphasize their huge number. Alternate translation: "You will have more descendants than you can count" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-simile)
The word "you" is singular and refers to Jacob. Here Jacob represents his descendants. Alternate translation: "your descendants will spread out to the west" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-metonymy)
This means the people will extend the borders of their land and occupy more territory.
This phrases are used together to mean "all directions." Alternate translation: "in all directions" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-synecdoche)
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I will bless all families on the earth through you and your descendants" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-activepassive)
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: I am"
"for I will not leave you until I have done all"
"I will keep you safe" or "I will protect you"
"I will bring you back to this land"
"woke up from his sleep"
The phrase "the gate of heaven" explains that this place is the entrance to "the house of God" and "the entrance to where God lives." (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-doublet)
This speaks about the entrance to the place where God lives as if it were a literal kingdom that had a gate that someone has to open to let people in. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-metaphor)
This is a memorial pillar, that is, simply a large stone or boulder set up on its end.
This action symbolizes that Jacob is dedicating the pillar to God. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "poured oil on the top of it in order to dedicate the pillar to God" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-symaction and /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-explicit)
Translators may also add a footnote that says "The name Bethel means 'house of God.'"
This is the name of a city. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#translate-names)
Jacob begins to make a vow to Yahweh.
"made a vow" or "solemnly promised God"
Jacob is speaking to God in the third person. This can be stated in the second person. Alternate translation: "If you will ... clothes to wear" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-123person)
This stands for Jacob's journey to find a wife and to return home. Alternate translation: "on this journey" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-metonymy)
Here "bread" stands for food in general. (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-synecdoche)
The vow that began with the words "If God will ... clothes to wear" in verse 20 continues here.
The vow that began with the words "If God will ... clothes to wear" in verse 20 continues here. Jacob is speaking to God in the third person. This can be stated in the second person. "If you will ... clothes to wear ... so that I return safely ... then you, Yahweh, will be the God that I will worship" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-123person)
Here "house" stands for Jacob's family. Alternate translation: "to my father and the rest of my family" (See: /WA-Catalog/en_tm?section=translate#figs-metonymy)
This means that the stone will mark the place where God appeared to him and it will be a place where people can worship God. Alternate translation: "God's house" or "God's place"