Genesis 28 in the early church

183 passages quote, allude to, or echo Genesis 28, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 8 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22

Genesis 28:1

So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him. “Do not take a wife from the Canaanite women,” he commanded.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:1–5On Pascha 69 · text not on this site · Melito of Sardisallusion, medium confidenceca. 160-180
Gen 28:1Fragments on Genesis, column 123 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Gen 28:1Demonstration 3.13 · Aphrahatallusion, high confidence337-345
Gen 28:1Explanation of Twelve Psalms 43.19.2 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-397
Gen 28:1–13Genesis, lines 900–923 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.
Gen 28:1–2Questions and Answers to the Orthodox 90 · Anonymousallusion, high confidence5th century (disputed)
Gen 28:1–4City of God 16.38 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence413–426

Genesis 28:2

“Go at once to Paddan-aram, to the house of your mother’s father Bethuel, and take a wife from among the daughters of Laban, your mother’s brother.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:2–5Fragment 15 · Julius Africanusallusion, medium confidenceafter 221
Gen 28:2On Prayer 3.1 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 233–234
Gen 28:2Homilies on Numbers 12.2 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Gen 28:2Preparation for the Gospel 9.21.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Gen 28:2Letter 11 · Ammonasquotation, high confidenceca. 340-360
Gen 28:2Letter 36.16 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:2Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 4.1.11 · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, high confidence374-377
Gen 28:2On Fleeing the World 20 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 387-391
Gen 28:2Explanation of Twelve Psalms 43.19.2 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-397

Genesis 28:3

May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, so that you may become a company of peoples.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:3Demonstration 18.1 · Aphrahatallusion, medium confidence337-345
Gen 28:3Oration III Against the Arians 13 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 339–346

Genesis 28:4

And may He give the blessing of Abraham to you and your descendants, so that you may possess the land where you dwell as a foreigner, the land God gave to Abraham.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:4Oration III Against the Arians 13 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 339–346

Genesis 28:5

So Isaac sent Jacob to Paddan-aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean, the brother of Rebekah, who was the mother of Jacob and Esau.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:51 Clement 31.4 · Clement of Romeallusion, medium confidenceca. 95–97 (range ca. 70–100)
Gen 28:5On the Destruction of Jerusalem 5.16 · Anonymousallusion, medium confidenceca. 370

Genesis 28:8

And seeing that his father Isaac disapproved of the Canaanite women,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:8Fragments on Genesis, column 123 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 220-254

Genesis 28:10

Meanwhile Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:10Dialogue with Trypho 58.11 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 28:10Prophetic Extracts 1.12 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Gen 28:10Preparation for the Gospel 9.21.2 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Gen 28:10–12Demonstration of the Gospel 1.5.12 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Gen 28:10–13Demonstration of the Gospel 5.10.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Gen 28:10Letter 118.7 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:10Letter 123.14 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:10On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.15 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-390
Gen 28:10–19City of God 16.38 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidence413–426
Gen 28:10–15Sermon 147 · Peter Chrysologusallusion, high confidenceca. 425-450
Gen 28:10–18Part 1, chapter 23 · Quodvultdeus of Carthageallusion, high confidenceca. 445-450

Genesis 28:11

On reaching a certain place, he spent the night there because the sun had set. And taking one of the stones from that place, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:11Dialogue with Trypho 58.11 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 28:11The Instructor 2.9.78 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 190–200
Gen 28:11–18To Quirinus 2.16 · Cyprian of Carthageallusion, high confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Gen 28:11Prophetic Extracts 1.12 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Gen 28:11–12Tractates 2.13.1 · Zeno of Veronaallusion, high confidenceca. 362-380
Gen 28:11Letter 108.13 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:11Letter 118.7 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:11Letter 123.14 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:11On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.15 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-390
Gen 28:11Explanation of Twelve Psalms 36.58.4 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-397
Gen 28:11Sermon 89.5 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 391-430
Gen 28:11–18Sermon 122.2 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 391-430
Gen 28:11Sermon 352.3 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 391-430
Gen 28:11Poem 27, lines 607–647 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, high confidenceca. 393–431
Gen 28:11On Christian Doctrine 1.2 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceBooks 1–3 ca. 396–397; completed 426–427
Gen 28:11–18Against Faustus the Manichaean 12.26 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400

Genesis 28:12

And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:12Dialogue with Trypho 58.11 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 28:12Dialogue with Trypho 86.2 · Justin Martyrallusion, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 28:12The Instructor 2.9.78 · Clement of Alexandriaallusion, high confidenceca. 190–200
Gen 28:12Against Heresies 3.24.1 · Irenaeus of Lyonsecho, low confidenceca. 180–190
Gen 28:12Against Marcion 3.24 · Tertullianallusion, high confidence207/208 (third edition, completed later)
Gen 28:12On Flight in Persecution 1 · Tertullianallusion, high confidenceca. 208–213
Gen 28:12Fragments on Genesis, column 123 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 220-254
Gen 28:12Refutation of All Heresies 5.8.19 · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceca. 222–235
Gen 28:12Address of Thanksgiving 8 · Gregory Thaumaturgusecho, low confidenceca. 238–245
Gen 28:12Commentary on the Song of Songs 0.78 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410)
Gen 28:12Commentary on the Song of Songs 1.90 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410)
Gen 28:12–13Against Celsus 6.21 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 248
Gen 28:12Prophetic Extracts 1.7 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Gen 28:12Bordeaux Pilgrim 588 · Anonymousallusion, high confidence333
Gen 28:12–19Demonstration 4.5 · Aphrahatallusion, high confidence337-345
Gen 28:12Demonstration 14.39 · Aphrahatallusion, high confidence337-345
Gen 28:12Oration I Against the Arians 61 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, medium confidenceca. 339–346
Gen 28:12Letter 7 · Ammonasallusion, high confidenceca. 340-360
Gen 28:12–15On the Trinity 4.30 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 356–360
Gen 28:12–17On the Trinity 5.20 · Hilary of Poitiersallusion, high confidenceca. 356–360
Gen 28:12Defence of His Flight 20 · Athanasius of Alexandriaallusion, medium confidenceca. 357
Gen 28:12Letters to Serapion 1.25 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 357–360
Gen 28:12Letter 42 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 357–378
Gen 28:12Homilies on the Psalms 1.4 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 360-378
Gen 28:12Letter 191 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, low confidenceca. 360–390
Gen 28:12Oration 43.58 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Gen 28:12Tractates 2.13.4 · Zeno of Veronaquotation, high confidenceca. 362-380
Gen 28:12Tractates 2.13.5 · Zeno of Veronaallusion, high confidenceca. 362-380
Gen 28:12Letter 3.4 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:12Letter 22.4 · Jeromeallusion, medium confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:12–13Letter 54.6 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:12Letter 58.2 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:12Letter 98.3 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:12Letter 108.13 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:12Letter 118.7 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:12Letter 123.14 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:12Theological Oration 2 (Or. 28), On the Doctrine of God 18 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidence380
Gen 28:12–13On the Beatitudes 1247 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 380–394
Gen 28:12–13On the Life of Moses 401 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, high confidenceca. 385–395
Gen 28:12On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.1 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-390
Gen 28:12On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.16 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-390
Gen 28:12On Fleeing the World 22 · Ambroseallusion, medium confidenceca. 387-391
Gen 28:12Explanation of Twelve Psalms 1.18.3 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-397
Gen 28:12Explanation of Twelve Psalms 39.13.1 · Ambroseallusion, low confidenceca. 387-397
Gen 28:12Sermon on the Eight Beatitudes 9 · Chromatius of Aquileiaallusion, high confidenceca. 388-407
Gen 28:12Sermon 89.5 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 391-430
Gen 28:12Sermon 122.5 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 391-430
Gen 28:12Against Jovinianus 2.27 · Jeromeallusion, high confidence393
Gen 28:12Poem 17, lines 153–184 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, high confidenceca. 393–431
Gen 28:12Against Faustus the Manichaean 15.6 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400
Gen 28:12Tractates on the Gospel of John 7.23 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 406–420
Gen 28:12Formulae of Spiritual Understanding 7 · Eucherius of Lyonquotation, high confidenceca. 420-430
Gen 28:12In Praise of the Desert 38 · Eucherius of Lyonallusion, high confidenceca. 427-428

Genesis 28:13

And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:13Dialogue with Trypho 58.11 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 28:13Dialogue with Trypho 58.12 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 28:13Against Heresies 4.10.1 · Irenaeus of Lyonsallusion, medium confidenceca. 180–190
Gen 28:13Homilies on Jeremiah 9.3 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 240
Gen 28:13Prophetic Extracts 1.7 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Gen 28:13Prophetic Extracts 1.12 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Gen 28:13–14Demonstration of the Gospel 1.5.13 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Gen 28:13Demonstration of the Gospel 5.10.5 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Gen 28:13–14Demonstration of the Gospel 8.1.4 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Gen 28:13Tractates 2.13.3 · Zeno of Veronaallusion, medium confidenceca. 362-380
Gen 28:13Against Eunomius 2.18 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 364
Gen 28:13Letter 118.7 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:13Letter 123.14 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:13Sermon 89.5 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 391-430
Gen 28:13–14Against the Letter of Parmenian 1.2 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 400
Gen 28:13–22Genesis, lines 924–947 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.
Gen 28:13City of God 18.3 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence413–426
Gen 28:13Part 1, chapter 23 · Quodvultdeus of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 445-450

Genesis 28:14

Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:14Dialogue with Trypho 58.12 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 28:14Dialogue with Trypho 120.1 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 28:14–15Demonstration of the Gospel 5.10.2 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Gen 28:14Letter 236 · Basil of Caesareaallusion, medium confidenceca. 357–378
Gen 28:14Against Faustus the Manichaean 12.41 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400
Gen 28:14Against Faustus the Manichaean 13.5 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 398–400
Gen 28:14The Harmony of the Gospels 1.21 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 399–400
Gen 28:14The Harmony of the Gospels 1.39 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 399–400
Gen 28:14Tractates on the Gospel of John 12.2 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 406–420
Gen 28:14City of God 18.3 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence413–426

Genesis 28:15

Look, I am with you, and I will watch over 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 promised you.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:15Dialogue with Trypho 58.12 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 28:15The Instructor 1.7.56 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 190–200
Gen 28:15Oration III Against the Arians 12 · Athanasius of Alexandriaquotation, high confidenceca. 339–346
Gen 28:15Apostolic Constitutions 7.33.5 · Anonymousquotation, medium confidenceca. 380
Gen 28:15Poem 17, lines 121–152 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, medium confidenceca. 393–431
Gen 28:15Against the Letter of Parmenian 1.3 · Augustine of Hippoquotation, high confidenceca. 400

Genesis 28:16

When Jacob woke up, he said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was unaware of it.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:16Dialogue with Trypho 58.13 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 28:16Prophetic Extracts 1.12 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Gen 28:16–19Demonstration of the Gospel 5.10.3 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Gen 28:16On the Holy Spirit 26.62 · Basil of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 374–375

Genesis 28:17

And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven!”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:17Dialogue with Trypho 58.13 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 28:17Against Marcion 3.24 · Tertullianquotation, high confidence207/208 (third edition, completed later)
Gen 28:17Refutation of All Heresies 5.8.20 · Hippolytus of Romequotation, high confidenceca. 222–235
Gen 28:17Refutation of All Heresies 5.8.44 · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceca. 222–235
Gen 28:17Commentary on the Song of Songs 0.78 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410)
Gen 28:17Prophetic Extracts 1.12 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Gen 28:17Question 111, section 6 · Ambrosiasterquotation, high confidenceca. 370–384
Gen 28:17Letter 98.3 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:17Sermon on the Eight Beatitudes 9 · Chromatius of Aquileiaallusion, medium confidenceca. 388-407

Genesis 28:18

Early the next morning, Jacob took the stone that he had placed under his head, and he set it up as a pillar. He poured oil on top of it,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:18Dialogue with Trypho 58.13 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 28:18Dialogue with Trypho 86.2 · Justin Martyrallusion, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 28:18On the Trinity 19 · Novatianallusion, high confidenceca. 240–250
Gen 28:18Demonstration of the Gospel 1.5.14 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Gen 28:18Oration 43.58 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Gen 28:18Theological Oration 2 (Or. 28), On the Doctrine of God 18 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidence380
Gen 28:18On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.20 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-390
Gen 28:18Homilies on Matthew 80.1 · John Chrysostomallusion, high confidenceca. 390
Gen 28:18Sermon 89.5 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 391-430
Gen 28:18Sermon 89.6 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 391-430
Gen 28:18Sermon 122.5 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 391-430
Gen 28:18On the Trinity 2.6 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 399–419
Gen 28:18On the Trinity 3.10 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 399–419
Gen 28:18Literal Commentary on Genesis 8.4 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 401–415
Gen 28:18Tractates on the Gospel of John 7.23 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 406–420

Genesis 28:19

and he called that place Bethel, though previously the city had been named Luz.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:19Dialogue with Trypho 58.13 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 28:19Commentary on the Song of Songs 3.216 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410)
Gen 28:19Letter 13 · Ammonasallusion, medium confidenceca. 340-360
Gen 28:19Letter 118.7 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:19Homily 5 · Gregory of Nyssaallusion, medium confidenceca. 390–394

Genesis 28:20

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, and if He will provide me with food to eat and clothes to wear,

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:20PG 12:1479 (Ps 60–61 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Gen 28:20On Prayer 3.1 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 233–234
Gen 28:20Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 86 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century)
Gen 28:20Letter 22.32 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:20Letter 120.2 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 28:20Exposition of Psalm 118 2.19.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397
Gen 28:20Homilies on Matthew 21.1 · John Chrysostomquotation, high confidenceca. 390

Genesis 28:21

so that I may return safely to my father’s house, then the LORD will be my God.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:21Miscellanies 1.27.173 · Clement of Alexandriaquotation, medium confidenceca. 198–203
Gen 28:21On Prayer 3.1 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 233–234

Genesis 28:22

And this stone I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give You a tenth.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 28:22PG 12:1479 (Ps 60–61 LXX) · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 220-254
Gen 28:22On Prayer 3.1 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 233–234
Gen 28:22Commentary on Matthew, Latin Series 86 · Origenquotation, high confidenceca. 244–249 (Latin translation, 4th–5th century)
Gen 28:22Demonstration 4.6 · Aphrahatallusion, high confidence337-345
Gen 28:22Exposition of Psalm 118 2.19.1 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-397