Genesis 28:20

And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

Cross-reference

In Genesis 28:15, God promises to be with and watch over Jacob, which directly prompts Jacob's vow for provision.

In Genesis 31:13, God directly references this vow, reminding Jacob: 'I am the God of Bethel, where you made a vow to me.'

Genesis 31:3 Historical context

In Genesis 31:3, God assures Jacob of His presence, fulfilling the condition of Jacob's vow for provision.

Genesis 35:3 Historical context

In Genesis 35:3, Jacob recalls God answering him in distress, referencing the vow at Bethel and its fulfillment.

In Judges 11:30, Jephthah makes a conditional vow to God — if God grants victory, he will offer something in return. This mirrors Jacob's conditional vow here.

In 1 Samuel 1:11, Hannah makes a conditional vow — if God grants a son, she will dedicate him to the LORD. Same pattern of promising to give back to God if blessed.

Psalm 132:2 Allusion

Psalm 132:2 recalls a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob, directly linking to Jacob's God and his vow tradition.

In Numbers 30:2, this establishes the core law: a vow made to the LORD must be kept. Jacob's vow at Bethel is an early example of this principle.

Ecclesiastes 5:4 Related theme

In Ecclesiastes 5:4, making a vow and not paying it is called foolish. This warns against failing the commitment Jacob made.

Deuteronomy 23:21 Related theme

In Deuteronomy 23:21, not vowing is preferable to vowing and failing. This underscores the seriousness of Jacob's vow.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 Related theme

In Ecclesiastes 5:2, the warning is against being hasty with words before God, cautioning against the kind of conditional speech in Jacob's vow.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 warns against rash vows, contrasting with Jacob's vow made after a divine revelation.

1 Timothy 6:8 Related theme

In 1 Timothy 6:8, Paul teaches contentment with food and clothing, echoing Jacob's request for these basic needs.

Acts 23:12-15 depicts Jews taking an oath to kill Paul, contrasting Jacob's vow for God's protection and provision.

Psalm 66:14 Related theme

In Psalm 66:14, fulfilling vows made in distress is an act of worship. Jacob's vow in his time of need finds a parallel here.

In 2 Samuel 15:8, Absalom mentions a conditional vow he made — if God brings him back, he will serve the LORD. Like Jacob, he uses vow language tied to a journey.

In 1 Samuel 14:24, Saul binds Israel under an oath with a curse. Both involve conditional vow language, but Saul's oath is rash and coercive, not worshipful.

In Numbers 21:2, Israel makes a conditional vow like Jacob's — asking God for protection in exchange for devotion.