Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.’” New Living Translation I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, the place where you anointed the pillar of stone and made your vow to me. Now get ready and leave this country and return to the land of your birth.’” English Standard Version I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now arise, go out from this land and return to the land of your kindred.’” Berean Standard Bible I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and made a solemn vow to Me. Now get up, leave this land at once, and return to your native land.’” King James Bible I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred. New King James Version I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.’ ” New American Standard Bible I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a memorial stone, where you made a vow to Me; now arise, leave this land, and return to the land of your birth.’” NASB 1995 I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you made a vow to Me; now arise, leave this land, and return to the land of your birth.’” NASB 1977 ‘I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you made a vow to Me; now arise, leave this land, and return to the land of your birth.’” Legacy Standard Bible I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you made a vow to Me; now arise, leave this land, and return to the land of your kin.’” Amplified Bible I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar, and where you made a vow to Me; now stand up, leave this land, and return to the land of your birth.’” Christian Standard Bible I am the God of Bethel, where you poured oil on the stone marker and made a solemn vow to me. Get up, leave this land, and return to your native land.’ ” Holman Christian Standard Bible I am the God of Bethel, where you poured oil on the stone marker and made a solemn vow to Me. Get up, leave this land, and return to your native land.’” American Standard Version I am the God of Beth-el, where thou anointedst a pillar, where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy nativity. Contemporary English Version and I am the God you worshiped at Bethel, when you poured olive oil on a rock and made a promise to me. Leave here at once and return to the land where you were born." English Revised Version I am the God of Beth-el, where thou anointedst a pillar, where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy nativity. GOD'S WORD® Translation I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, where you poured olive oil on a stone marker for a holy purpose and where you made a vow to me. Now leave this land, and go back to the land of your relatives.' " Good News Translation I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, where you dedicated a stone as a memorial by pouring olive oil on it and where you made a vow to me. Now get ready and go back to the land where you were born.'" International Standard Version I am the God of Bethel, the place where you consecrated that stone and made a vow to me. Now get up, leave this territory, and return to your native land.'" NET Bible I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the sacred stone and made a vow to me. Now leave this land immediately and return to your native land.'" New Heart English Bible I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a standing-stone, where you made a vow to me. Now arise, go out from this land and return to the land of your birth.'" Webster's Bible Translation I am the God of Beth-el, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst to me a vow: now arise, depart from this land, and return to the land of thy kindred. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and made a solemn vow to Me. Now get up, leave this land at once, and return to your native land.’” World English Bible I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you vowed a vow to me. Now arise, get out from this land, and return to the land of your birth.’” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionI [am] the God of Bethel where you have anointed a standing pillar, where you have vowed a vow to me; now, arise, go out from this land, and return to the land of your birth.” Young's Literal Translation I am the God of Bethel where thou hast anointed a standing pillar, where thou hast vowed a vow to me; now, arise, go out from this land, and turn back unto the land of thy birth.' Smith's Literal Translation I the God of the house of God, where thou didst anoint there a pillar; where thou didst vow to me there a vow: now arise, go forth from this land, and turn back to the land of thy kindred. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleI am the God of Bethel, where thou didst anoint the stone, and make a vow to me. Now therefore arise, and go out of this land, and return into thy native country. Catholic Public Domain Version I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the stone and made a vow to me. Now therefore arise, and depart from this land, returning to the land of your nativity.’ ” New American Bible I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a sacred pillar and made a vow to me. Get up now! Leave this land and return to the land of your birth.’ ” New Revised Standard Version I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and made a vow to me. Now leave this land at once and return to the land of your birth.’” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleI am the God of Beth-el, the place where you anointed a pillar to me, and where you vowed a vow to me; now arise, get out from this land, and return to the land of your kindred. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated I AM the God of BaythEil, which you anointed for me there as a monument, and you vowed to me there a vow. Now arise, go out from this land and return to the land of your generations.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917I am the God of Beth-el, where thou didst anoint a pillar, where thou didst vow a vow unto Me. Now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy nativity.' Brenton Septuagint Translation I am God that appeared to thee in the place of God where thou anointedst a pillar to me, and vowedst to me there a vow; now then arise and depart out of this land, depart into the land of thy nativity, and I will be with thee. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jacob Flees from Laban…12‘Look up,’ he said, ‘and see that all the males that are mating with the flock are streaked, spotted, or speckled; for I have seen all that Laban has done to you. 13I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and made a solemn vow to Me. Now get up and leave this land at once, and return to your native land.’” 14And Rachel and Leah replied, “Do we have any portion or inheritance left in our father’s house?… Cross References Genesis 28:13-15 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. / 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. / 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.” Genesis 35:1-3 Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.” / So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments. / Then let us arise and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.” Exodus 3:6 Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Exodus 3:15-16 God also told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.’ This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation. / Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—has appeared to me and said: I have surely attended to you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. Exodus 20:2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Genesis 32:9 Then Jacob declared, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, the LORD who told me, ‘Go back to your country and to your kindred, and I will make you prosper,’ Genesis 46:1-3 So Israel set out with all that he had, and when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. / And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob. / “I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. Genesis 48:3 Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and there He blessed me Genesis 50:24 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die, but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Exodus 6:2-3 God also told Moses, “I am the LORD. / I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by My name the LORD I did not make Myself known to them. Exodus 33:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of the land of Egypt, and go to the land that I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ Deuteronomy 1:8 See, I have placed the land before you. Enter and possess the land that the LORD swore He would give to your fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to their descendants after them.” Deuteronomy 6:10 And when the LORD your God brings you into the land He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that He would give you—a land with great and splendid cities that you did not build, Deuteronomy 26:3 to the priest who is serving at that time, and say to him, “I declare today to the LORD your God that I have entered the land that the LORD swore to our fathers to give us.” Joshua 24:3 But I took your father Abraham from beyond the Euphrates and led him through all the land of Canaan, and I multiplied his descendants. I gave him Isaac, Treasury of Scripture I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar, and where you vowed a vow to me: now arise, get you out from this land, and return to the land of your kindred. the God. Genesis 28:12-22 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it… Genesis 35:7 And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother. return. Genesis 31:3 And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee. Genesis 32:9 And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee: Jump to Previous Anoint Anointed Arise Bethel Beth-El Birth Country Depart Forth Kindred Leave Native Nativity Oath Oil Once Pillar Standing Turn Vow VowedJump to Next Anoint Anointed Arise Bethel Beth-El Birth Country Depart Forth Kindred Leave Native Nativity Oath Oil Once Pillar Standing Turn Vow VowedGenesis 31 1. Jacob, displeased with the envy of Laban and his sons, departs secretly.19. Rachel steals her father's household gods. 22. Laban pursues after him, and complains of the wrong. 34. Rachel's plan to hide the images. 36. Jacob's complaint of Laban. 43. The covenant of Laban and Jacob at Galeed. I am the God of Bethel This phrase identifies God as the deity who appeared to Jacob at Bethel, a significant location in Jacob's life. Bethel, meaning "House of God," was where Jacob had a vision of a ladder reaching to heaven (Genesis 28:10-19). This encounter established Bethel as a sacred place, marking it as a site of divine revelation and covenant. The reference to Bethel underscores God's faithfulness and the continuity of His promises to the patriarchs, linking Jacob's current situation to his past experiences with God. where you anointed the pillar and made a solemn vow to Me Now get up, leave this land at once and return to your native land. Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe speaker in this verse, identifying Himself as the God of Bethel, reminding Jacob of His divine presence and past promises. 2. Jacob The recipient of God's message, who is being instructed to leave Laban's household and return to his homeland. 3. Bethel A significant location where Jacob previously encountered God, anointed a pillar, and made a vow, marking it as a sacred place. 4. Laban's Household The place where Jacob has been living and working for many years, which he is now instructed to leave. 5. Vow A solemn promise Jacob made to God at Bethel, which is being recalled as part of God's directive. Teaching Points God's FaithfulnessGod reminds Jacob of His past faithfulness at Bethel, encouraging trust in His promises. We can rely on God's faithfulness in our own lives. Obedience to God's Call Jacob is instructed to leave and return home, demonstrating the importance of obedience to God's direction, even when it requires significant change. Significance of Vows The recalling of Jacob's vow at Bethel underscores the importance of keeping our commitments to God. Sacred Places and Memories Bethel serves as a reminder of God's presence and past encounters. We should cherish and remember our own spiritual milestones. Divine Guidance in Transition Just as God guided Jacob during a major life transition, we can seek and trust God's guidance during our own times of change. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Genesis 31:13?2. How does Genesis 31:13 emphasize God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises? 3. What does "I am the God of Bethel" reveal about God's identity? 4. How can we apply Jacob's obedience in Genesis 31:13 to our lives? 5. What connections exist between Genesis 31:13 and God's covenant with Abraham? 6. How does Genesis 31:13 encourage us to trust God's guidance in difficult times? 7. What does Genesis 31:13 reveal about God's faithfulness to His promises? 8. How does Genesis 31:13 demonstrate God's guidance in times of uncertainty? 9. Why is the vow at Bethel significant in Genesis 31:13? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 31? 11. How can Hannah's sudden pregnancy in 1 Samuel 1:5, 20 be explained given her long-term infertility? 12. Why does Jacob appear to 'bargain' with God, seemingly contradicting other passages that discourage testing God (Genesis 28:20-22)? 13. Why should the Israelites claim cities they did not build and harvest crops they did not plant (Deuteronomy 6:10-11), and doesn't this raise ethical dilemmas? 14. In Genesis 31:45-49, what evidence confirms or challenges the historical reliability of the Mizpah covenant, and does its ritual element fit known ancient Near Eastern practices? What Does Genesis 31:13 Mean I am the God of BethelGod opens by reminding Jacob who is speaking. This is the same LORD who met him years earlier on his lonely journey (Genesis 28:13: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac”). By naming Bethel, the Lord reaches back to that life-changing encounter where heavenly promises were first spoken. • The identification anchors Jacob’s present in God’s past faithfulness (compare Exodus 3:6). • It reaffirms that the God of Abraham and Isaac is now fully Jacob’s God (Genesis 28:15; 31:5). • The title carries covenant weight, signaling that every instruction that follows rests on the unbreakable oath God already made (Genesis 28:14-15; Hebrews 6:17-18). Where you anointed the pillar Jacob had taken the stone on which his head had rested, set it upright, poured oil on it, and named the spot Bethel—“House of God” (Genesis 28:18-19). God recalls that moment: • The pillar stood as a visible memorial of personal encounter (Genesis 35:14). • It testified that God’s presence turns ordinary places into holy ground (Genesis 28:16-17; Exodus 3:5). • Remembering the pillar now stirs Jacob’s faith to expect the same God to act again (Psalm 77:11-12). And made a solemn vow to Me Jacob’s vow at Bethel was clear: “If God will be with me…then the LORD will be my God…” (Genesis 28:20-22). God brings that commitment to the forefront: • Vows are serious; delaying or ignoring them displeases God (Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Ecclesiastes 5:4-5). • God’s reminder shows He was listening then and is holding Jacob accountable now. • The mention of the vow assures Jacob that God has kept His side—provision, protection, and blessing (Genesis 30:43; 31:42). Now get up The command is immediate and personal. “Get up” signals movement from contemplation to obedience (compare Joshua 7:10; Acts 12:7). • God often couples remembrance with action—look back at His faithfulness, then step forward in trust. • Hesitation would be disobedience; urgency is implied (2 Corinthians 6:2). Leave this land at once Jacob is instructed to break with Mesopotamia and with Laban’s grasping household (Genesis 31:2: “Jacob also saw that the attitude of Laban...was not what it had been”). • Obedience involves costly separation—herds, servants, and family uprooted (Genesis 31:17-18). • Like Abraham before him, Jacob must leave security for promise (Genesis 12:1). • God’s command carries protective intent; He will restrain Laban (Genesis 31:24). And return to your native land Canaan is more than home; it is the land sworn to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 28:13). • Returning aligns Jacob with God’s redemptive plan that centers on that specific territory (Genesis 35:12; Psalm 105:8-11). • The directive ensures that Jacob’s growing family becomes the nation God foretold (Genesis 46:3). • Going back positions Jacob for renewed worship at Bethel (Genesis 35:1) and reconciliation with Esau (Genesis 33:4), illustrating how obedience opens doors for healing. summary Genesis 31:13 is God’s personal, covenant-rooted call to Jacob. He reminds the patriarch of their shared history at Bethel, the memorial pillar, and the vowed commitment, then orders decisive action: rise, depart, and return to the land of promise. The verse shows that God anchors present guidance in past faithfulness, expects integrity to vows, and advances His redemptive plan through obedient steps of faith. (13) I am the God of Beth-el.--The angel of Elohim (Genesis 31:11) was the speaker, but the words were those of God (1Thessalonians 2:13; Hebrews 1:1). With this verse compare Genesis 28:13.Verse 13. - I am the God of Bethel, - the angel here identifies himself with Jehovah (vide Genesis 28:13). Contrary to usual custom, הָאֵל, though in the construct, state, has the art. (vide Ewald, ' Hebrews Synt.,' § 290) - where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred - i.e. to the land of Canaan, which was Jacob's true inheritance.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Iאָנֹכִ֤י (’ā·nō·ḵî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 595: I am the God הָאֵל֙ (hā·’êl) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty of Bethel, אֵ֔ל (’êl) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1008: Bethel -- 'house of God', a city in Ephraim, also a place in southern Judah where אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that you anointed מָשַׁ֤חְתָּ (mā·šaḥ·tā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 4886: To rub with oil, to anoint, to consecrate, to paint the pillar מַצֵּבָ֔ה (maṣ·ṣê·ḇāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4676: Something stationed, a column, an idol and made נָדַ֥רְתָּ (nā·ḏar·tā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5087: To promise a solemn vow to Me. נֶ֑דֶר (ne·ḏer) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5088: A promise, a thing promised Now עַתָּ֗ה (‘at·tāh) Adverb Strong's 6258: At this time get up ק֥וּם (qūm) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand and leave צֵא֙ (ṣê) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim this הַזֹּ֔את (haz·zōṯ) Article | Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, land {at once}, הָאָ֣רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 776: Earth, land and return וְשׁ֖וּב (wə·šūḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to your native מוֹלַדְתֶּֽךָ׃ (mō·w·laḏ·te·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 4138: Nativity, lineage, native country, offspring, family land.’” אֶ֥רֶץ (’e·reṣ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 776: Earth, land Links Genesis 31:13 NIVGenesis 31:13 NLT Genesis 31:13 ESV Genesis 31:13 NASB Genesis 31:13 KJV Genesis 31:13 BibleApps.com Genesis 31:13 Biblia Paralela Genesis 31:13 Chinese Bible Genesis 31:13 French Bible Genesis 31:13 Catholic Bible OT Law: Genesis 31:13 I am the God of Bethel where (Gen. Ge Gn) |