3rd act of James: his vow to God is the first of the vows recorded in the Bible. In this vow (considered by the rabbis to be the model or norm of all vows and for all times) there are 3 elements:

1) inner and sincere recognition of the Almighty as one's God, with the dedication of oneself to the service of Him;

2) special dedication and reverence for the place of vision; and

3) the promise to God of tithes from all things.

Apparently, Jacob conditioned his faith in God on external and personal interests. But, first, this condition of the vow in James is a simple paraphrase of the immediately preceding promise of God (vv. 13-15); secondly, Jacob asks the Lord only for bread and clothing and thus fulfills the Gospel covenant about non-acquisitiveness (John Chrysostom, Philaret); thirdly, with what humility and gratitude Jacob understood the blessings of God, is evident from his prayer (32:10[863]).

Tithes, as can be seen from the example of Abraham (14:20 [864]), was an ancient custom in the community, in relation to kings. Here we read for the first time about tithing to God.

"The stone... Will... the house of God" (beth Elohim) – perhaps in connection with this idea there is the Old Testament magnification of God – Zur Israel, the rock, the stronghold of Israel (49:24; 865] Isa. 30:29[866]).

Chapter 29.

1. Jacob comes to Haran.

1. And Jacob arose and went into the land of the children of the east (to Laban the son of Bethuel the Aramean, to the brother of Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau).

Strengthened by a heavenly vision, Jacob continues his journey and comes "to the land of the children of the east;" "sons of the east" are usually the inhabitants of Arabia (Judg. 6:33;[ 867] Job. 1:3; [868] Isa. 11:14[869]); here (as in Num. 23:7[870]) – in a broader sense, applied to the inhabitants of Syria. According to the Midrash, Esau sent his son Eliphaz to pursue Jacob, but he did him no harm.

2. And he saw, "Behold, there was a well in the field, and there were three flocks of flocks lying near it, for the flocks were watering from that well." Above the mouth of the well was a large stone.

The first thing that Jacob met with in the country which was the end of his journey was a well, as Eliezer is said to be similar in chapter 24, verse 11[871]; only in the latter case a suburban well is understood, and in the case under consideration, a cistern which apparently did not lie near the city (as is evident from the question of James, v. 4). A large stone (Hebrew haeben with the article) – a stone known for its purpose) covered the mouth of a well to protect the mouth of the water from sand – a common phenomenon even now in the hot areas of Arabia and Asia Minor. The whole picture of the impending meeting of Jacob with Rachel (cf. 24:11ff.; Exodus 2:16[872]) bears the stamp of specific features of Eastern life