Genesis 28:21

to my father's house in peace It does not appear that this was literally fulfilled. Jacob, on his return, did not dwell at his father's house. But, perhaps, "father's house" means "the land of his fathers." "In peace," a common Heb. phrase, noticeable here for the rendering of LXX μετὰ σωτηρίας, "with safety."

then shall the Lord be my God The rendering of the margin, and the Lord will be my God, then this stone, &c., is that of the ancient versions, LXX, Lat. and Syr.: that of the text is on the whole preferable. The crowning thought is that in days to come, Jehovah, who has been the God of Abraham and Isaac, shall also be the God of Jacob. This forms the substance of Jacob's vow; to which is added, that Bethel, as well as Beer-sheba and Hebron, shall be a place of Jehovah's worship. Jacob's vow, with the conditions attached to it, reflects his calculating character. But it acknowledges that Jehovah is the God who has revealed Himself to his fathers, and is distinct from mere nature-gods.