God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The promise "that you may become a company of peoples" isn't just about having a large family; it specifically uses a word that means "assembly" or "congregation," hinting at the formation of a unified nation, and even a spiritual gathering for God. This word choice suggests that the blessing isn't merely about quantity, but about the quality of a people united for a divine purpose.
God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jacob is on the run from his brother Esau, fleeing to Padan Aram after deceiving him and their father Isaac. Isaac, as a prophet, is passing on the covenant blessing to Jacob, which includes promises of descendants and land. This blessing is given just before Jacob's departure, shaping his understanding of the journey and God's promises to him.
Why does Isaac use a specific name for God when blessing Jacob? It's more than just a name; it's a promise packed with power.
Isaac blesses Jacob using the name 'El Shaddai,' which translates to 'God Almighty.' This isn't just any title; it's the same name God used when He established His covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:1).
The Power of the Name
Jacob is promised to become 'a multitude of peoples.' What does this phrase really mean? It's not just about size, but about significance.
The Hebrew phrase for 'a multitude of peoples' (likhal ammim) is quite specific. It doesn't just mean a large number of individuals, but an 'assembly' or 'congregation' of peoples.
The Meaning Behind the Words
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Understand the original words
El Shaddai · Hebrew Noun phrase
The Hebrew title El Shaddai, often translated as 'God Almighty.' It emphasizes God's all-sufficiency, power to provide, and ability to sustain His people according to His promises, particularly in the context of the patriarchal covenant.
parah · Hebrew Verb
To produce abundant life or increase. In Scripture, this concept is rooted in the creation mandate and is frequently associated with God's covenant blessing, promising the expansion of the people of God to fulfill His purpose on earth.
This blessing isn't just a nice wish; it's a re-commissioning of the Abrahamic covenant promises specifically to Jacob, God's chosen heir, during a critical moment of transition and exile.
c. 1800 BC
God's Covenant with Abraham
God establishes a covenant with Abraham, promising him land, descendants as numerous as the stars, and that through him all nations will be blessed.
c. 1790 BC
Isaac's Birth and Early Life
Isaac is born to Abraham and Sarah, the promised heir through whom the covenant will pass. He later marries Rebekah.
c. 1750 BC
Birth of Jacob and Esau
Isaac and Rebekah have twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Jacob, the younger, later controversially obtains the birthright and blessing intended for Esau.
c. 1720 BC— this verse
Jacob Flees to Haran
Fearing Esau's wrath after securing the patriarchal blessing, Jacob flees his home in Beersheba, heading towards Padan-aram.
c. 1720 BC
Jacob's Dream at Bethel
While sleeping on his journey, Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven, with angels ascending and descending. God appears and reaffirms the covenant promises to Jacob.
c. 1713 BC
Jacob Arrives in Padan-aram
After seven years of service for Rachel, Jacob marries Leah and then Rachel, beginning the process of fulfilling the promise of numerous descendants.
This verse echoes the very first command and blessing God gave humanity to 'Be fruitful and multiply,' establishing a foundational theme of divine blessing tied to procreation and abundance that continues with Jacob.
Genesis 17:4-6Here, God reiterates the promise of abundant offspring to Abraham, using the same title 'El Shaddai' (God Almighty) and promising that kings would come from him, directly paralleling Isaac's blessing to Jacob and showing the continuity of God's covenant.
Deuteronomy 7:13-14This passage shows the Mosaic covenant continuing the promise of blessing and multiplication for Israel, emphasizing that God's favor would result in abundant harvests and numerous offspring, demonstrating how this patriarchal blessing extended to the nation.
Hebrews 11:12This New Testament reference highlights the spiritual significance of the patriarchs' lineage, stating that descendants came from Abraham 'as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore,' underscoring the immense scope of the blessing given to Jacob.
calvinGenesis 28:1-22: "And Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him, and charged him, and said unto him, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan."
When Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and sent him away to Padanaram, to take him a wife from thence; and that as he blessed him he gave him a charge, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan;
Et vidit Esau quod benedixisset Ishac Iahacob, et misisset eum in Padan Aram, ut caperet sibi inde uxorem: et benedicendo…
clarkeGenesis 28:3: "And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;"
That thou mayest be a multitude of people - לקהל עמים likhal ammim. There is something very remarkable in the original words: they signify literally for an assembly, congregation, or church of peoples; referring no doubt to the Jewish Church in the wilderness, but more particularly to the Christian Church, composed of every kindred, and nation, and people, and tong…
The promise "that you may become a company of peoples" isn't just about having a large family; it specifically uses a word that means "assembly" or "congregation," hinting at the formation of a unified nation, and even a spiritual gathering for God. This word choice suggests that the blessing isn't merely about quantity, but about the quality of a people united for a divine purpose.
Jacob is on the run from his brother Esau, fleeing to Padan Aram after deceiving him and their father Isaac. Isaac, as a prophet, is passing on the covenant blessing to Jacob, which includes promises of descendants and land. This blessing is given just before Jacob's departure, shaping his understanding of the journey and God's promises to him.
Jacob is on the run from his brother Esau, fleeing to Padan Aram after deceiving him and their father Isaac. Isaac, as a prophet, is passing on the covenant blessing to Jacob, which includes promises of descendants and land. This blessing is given just before Jacob's departure, shaping his understanding of the journey and God's promises to him.
"God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples." — The promise "that you may become a company of peoples" isn't just about having a large family; it specifically uses a word that means "assembly" or "congregation," hinting at the formation of a unifi…
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Last reviewed October 2026