Bible Strands
Genesis 28:21
so that I may return safely to my father’s house, then the LORD will be my God.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jacob speaks to God while resting at Bethel during his flight to Haran. He formulates a conditional vow that ties future covenant loyalty to immediate divine protection and provision.
The words — The Hebrew שַׁבְתִּי (shav.Ti) translates to "I will return," paired with בְּשָׁלוֹם (bə·šā·lō·mê) for "in peace." This phrasing establishes the safe conclusion of the journey as the explicit condition for acknowledging Yahweh.
The thread — The text’s conditional pledge structure parallels the return-home vow in Judges 11:31 and the covenant profession in Deuteronomy 26:17. The motif of Yahweh becoming a personal deity also surfaces in Exodus 15:2.
Why it lands — The text records a transactional vow that demands proof of provision before granting allegiance. It requires readers to confront the reality that covenant commitment follows demonstrated faithfulness rather than preceding it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God:
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 26:17 Today you have proclaimed that the LORD is your God and that you will walk in His ways, keep His statutes and commandments and ordinances, and listen to His voice.
- Judges 11:31 then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”
- Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
- 2 Samuel 15:8 For your servant made a vow while dwelling in Geshur of Aram, saying: ‘If indeed the LORD brings me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the LORD in Hebron.’”
- 2 Samuel 19:24 Then Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he returned safely.
- 2 Samuel 19:30 And Mephibosheth said to the king, “Instead, since my lord the king has safely come to his own house, let Ziba take it all!”
- 2 Kings 5:17 “If you will not,” said Naaman, “please let me, your servant, be given as much soil as a pair of mules can carry. For your servant will never again make a burnt offering or a sacrifice to any other god but the LORD.