Study Desk

But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, "Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad."

It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, "Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.'

Unless the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed. God has seen my affliction and the labor of my hands, and rebuked you last night."

If you afflict my daughters, or if you take other wives besides my daughters, although no man is with us--see, God is witness between you and me!"

The God of Abraham, the God of Nahor, and the God of their father judge between us." And Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.

So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.

Then Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the LORD who said to me, "Return to your country and to your family, and I will deal well with you':

And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; [fn] for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed."

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: [fn] "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."

And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, "Who are these with you?" So he said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant."

And Jacob said, "No, please, if I have now found favor in your sight, then receive my present from my hand, inasmuch as I have seen your face as though I had seen the face of God, and you were pleased with me.

Please, take my blessing that is brought to you, because God has dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough." So he urged him, and he took it.

Then God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother."

Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone."

And they journeyed, and the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.

And he built an altar there and called the place El Bethel, [fn] because there God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother.

Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him.

And God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel shall be your name." So He called his name Israel.

Also God said to him: "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body.

Then God went up from him in the place where He talked with him.