Genesis 46:2
New International Version
And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied.

New Living Translation
During the night God spoke to him in a vision. “Jacob! Jacob!” he called. “Here I am,” Jacob replied.

English Standard Version
And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.”

Berean Standard Bible
And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob.

King James Bible
And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.

New King James Version
Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” And he said, “Here I am.”

New American Standard Bible
And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.”

NASB 1995
God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.”

NASB 1977
And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.”

Amplified Bible
And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” And he said, “Here I am.”

Christian Standard Bible
That night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob! ” he said. And Jacob replied, “Here I am.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
That night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. And Jacob replied, “Here I am.”

American Standard Version
And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.

Contemporary English Version
That night, God spoke to him in a dream and said, "Jacob! Jacob!" "Here I am," Jacob answered.

English Revised Version
And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God spoke to Israel in a vision that night and said, "Jacob, Jacob!" "Here I am," he answered.

Good News Translation
God spoke to him in a vision at night and called, "Jacob, Jacob!" "Yes, here I am," he answered.

International Standard Version
God spoke to Israel through night visions, addressing him, "Jacob! Jacob!" "Here I am!" Jacob replied.

Majority Standard Bible
And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob.

NET Bible
God spoke to Israel in a vision during the night and said, "Jacob, Jacob!" He replied, "Here I am!"

New Heart English Bible
And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night, and said, "Jacob, Jacob." And he said, "Here I am."

Webster's Bible Translation
And God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob: and he said, Here am I.

World English Bible
God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” He said, “Here I am.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and God speaks to Israel in visions of the night and says, “Jacob, Jacob”; and he says, “Here I [am].”

Young's Literal Translation
and God speaketh to Israel in visions of the night, and saith, 'Jacob, Jacob;' and he saith, 'Here am I.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And God will speak to Israel in a vision of the night, and he will say, Jacob! Jacob! and he will say, Behold me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He heard him by a vision in the night calling him, and saying to him: Jacob, Jacob. And he answered him: Lo, here I am.

Catholic Public Domain Version
he heard him, by a vision in the night, calling him, and saying to him: “Jacob, Jacob.” And he answered him, “Behold, here I am.”

New American Bible
There God, speaking to Israel in a vision by night, called: Jacob! Jacob! He answered, “Here I am.”

New Revised Standard Version
God spoke to Israel in visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And God spoke to Israel in a vision of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And God spoke to Israel in a vision of the night and said, “Yaquuv, Yaquuv”, and he said, “Here I am.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And God spoke unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said: 'Jacob, Jacob.' And he said: 'Here am I.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And God spoke to Israel in a night vision, saying, Jacob, Jacob; and he said, What is it?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jacob's Journey to Egypt
1So Israel set out with all that he had, and when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. 2And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob. 3“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.…

Cross References
Genesis 15:1
After these events, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”

Genesis 28:12-13
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. / 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.

Genesis 31:11
In that dream the angel of God said to me, ‘Jacob!’ And I replied, ‘Here I am.’

Genesis 22:11
Just then the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham, Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.

Exodus 3:4
When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered.

1 Samuel 3:4
Then the LORD called to Samuel, and he answered, “Here I am.”

Job 33:14-16
For God speaks in one way and in another, yet no one notices. / In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds, / He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings

Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”

Daniel 10:9
I heard the sound of his words, and as I listened, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground.

Acts 9:4
He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”

Acts 10:13
Then a voice said to him: “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!”

Acts 22:7
I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’

Matthew 1:20
But after he had pondered these things, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 2:13
When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”

Matthew 2:19
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.


Treasury of Scripture

And God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.

in the visions.

Genesis 15:1,13
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward…

Genesis 22:11
And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

Numbers 12:6
And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

Jacob.

Genesis 22:1
And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

Exodus 3:3,4
And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt…

1 Samuel 3:4,10
That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I…

Jump to Previous
Israel Jacob Night Night-Vision Speaketh Vision Visions
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Israel Jacob Night Night-Vision Speaketh Vision Visions
Genesis 46
1. Jacob is comforted by God at Beersheba.
5. Thence he with his company goes into Egypt.
8. The number of his family that went into Egypt.
28. Joseph meets Jacob.
31. He instructs his brothers how to answer Pharaoh.














And that night
This phrase sets the temporal context for the divine encounter. The night often symbolizes a time of vulnerability and reflection in biblical narratives. In the Hebrew context, night can be a time when God reveals His will, as seen in other instances like the dreams of Joseph. The use of "night" here underscores the intimacy and solemnity of the moment when God chooses to communicate with Jacob.

God spoke
The Hebrew word for "spoke" is "דִּבֶּר" (dibber), which implies a direct and personal communication. This is not a mere impression or feeling but a clear and articulate message from God. The act of God speaking highlights His personal involvement and the importance of the message being conveyed. It is a reminder of the living and active nature of God, who engages with His people.

to Israel
The use of "Israel" instead of "Jacob" initially is significant. "Israel" is the name given to Jacob after wrestling with God (Genesis 32:28), symbolizing his transformation and the covenant relationship with God. This name reflects Jacob's identity as the father of the twelve tribes and the nation of Israel. It emphasizes the covenantal aspect of the communication and the broader implications for the descendants of Jacob.

in a vision
The Hebrew word for "vision" is "מַרְאָה" (mar'ah), which indicates a supernatural revelation. Visions are a common means through which God communicates His will and guidance in the Old Testament. This method of communication signifies the clarity and authority of the message. It is a divine encounter that transcends ordinary experience, providing assurance and direction.

'Jacob, Jacob!'
The repetition of Jacob's name is a literary device used to convey urgency and importance. It is a call to attention, emphasizing the personal nature of God's message. This repetition is seen in other biblical instances, such as "Moses, Moses" (Exodus 3:4), indicating a significant moment of divine intervention. It underscores God's intimate knowledge of and relationship with Jacob.

He said
This phrase introduces the direct speech of God, highlighting the immediacy and personal nature of the communication. It is a reminder that God is not distant but actively engages with His people, providing guidance and reassurance.

'Here I am,'
Jacob's response, "Here I am," is a statement of readiness and willingness to listen. The Hebrew phrase "הִנֵּנִי" (hineni) is a declaration of availability and submission to God's will. It reflects a posture of obedience and attentiveness, a model for how believers should respond to God's call. This response is echoed by other biblical figures, such as Abraham and Samuel, indicating a readiness to serve and follow God's direction.

Verse 2. - And God (Elohim) spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob - the name Jacob being employed probably to remind Jacob of what he had been (Lawson, Bush, Wordsworth), and repeated ut magis attentus reddatur (Calvin). And he said, Here am I - literally, behold me (cf. Genesis 22:1),

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And that night
הַלַּ֔יְלָה (hal·lay·lāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

God
אֱלֹהִ֤ים ׀ (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

spoke
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to Israel
לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (lə·yiś·rā·’êl)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

in a vision:
בְּמַרְאֹ֣ת (bə·mar·’ōṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4759: A vision, a mirror

“Jacob,
יַעֲקֹ֣ב ׀ (ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

Jacob!”
יַעֲקֹ֑ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290: Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc

He said.
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Here I am,”
הִנֵּֽנִי׃ (hin·nê·nî)
Interjection | first person common singular
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

replied Jacob.
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say


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OT Law: Genesis 46:2 God spoke to Israel in the visions (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 46:1
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