Read Genesis 28:10-22 and note the various instances of the use of repetition. By David Buck

After reading through Genesis 28, I was able to recognize the many different repetitions that exist in this passage of scripture. It is important that we pay attention to these repetitions when we come across them because it is no accident that they are there. Many times they exist to make sure that we (the reader) do not miss what the author is communicating in the writing. This is definitely the case in Genesis 28. One of the words that is repeated many times in this passage of scripture is the word behold. This word means to look at or observe. Therefore, every time the author, in this case Moses, uses the word behold, he is calling the readers attention telling us not to miss what he is about to communicate. Other repetitions that I recognized throughout Genesis 28 include: The LORD, I, Jacob, lay or lie, and stone. The repetition of the words The LORD, I, and Jacob signify the importance of the covenant that is being made in this passage between God and Jacob. The repetition of the words lay or lie and stone signify the importance of the land that is part of the covenant and its identification. The reason for the repetitions in Genesis 28 is to communicate the importance of this covenant between God and Jacob to the reader, as it says in this passage that this covenant will have an effect on all of the families of the earth (v. 14).