1 And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.
2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that [were] with him, Put away the strange gods that [are] among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which [were] in their hand, and [all their] earrings which [were] in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which [was] by Shechem.
5 And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that [were] round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.
6 So Jacob came to Luz, which [is] in the land of Canaan, that [is], Bethel, he and all the people that [were] with him.
7 And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother.
8 But Deborah Rebekah’s nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth.
9 And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.
10 And God said unto him, Thy name [is] Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.
11 And God said unto him, I [am] God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;
12 And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.
13 And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him.
14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, [even] a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
15 And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel.
16 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.
17 And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.
18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.
19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which [is] Bethlehem.
20 And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that [is] the pillar of Rachel’s grave unto this day.
21 And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar.
22 And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine: and Israel heard [it]. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:
23 The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:
24 The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin:
25 And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali:
26 And the sons of Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid; Gad, and Asher: these [are] the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padanaram.
27 And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which [is] Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.
28 And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years.
29 And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, [being] old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
Summary of Genesis Chapter 35
Genesis Chapter 35 recounts significant events in the life of Jacob, including God’s command to return to Bethel, the death of Rachel, and the establishment of Jacob’s family lineage. This chapter emphasizes themes of divine guidance, the importance of worship, and the complexities of familial relationships.
Key Themes
- Divine Command and Obedience: Jacob receives a directive from God to return to Bethel, highlighting the importance of following divine instructions.
- Worship and Altars: The chapter underscores the significance of worship through the act of building an altar at Bethel.
- Family Dynamics: The chapter addresses the complexities of Jacob’s family, particularly the birth and death of Rachel, and the implications for his lineage.
- God’s Promises: The reaffirmation of God’s covenant with Jacob reinforces the theme of divine promise and blessing.
Detailed Analysis
1. God’s Command to Return to Bethel (Verses 1-3)
God instructs Jacob to go to Bethel, where he is to build an altar. This command signifies a return to a place of spiritual significance for Jacob, reminding him of his earlier encounter with God (Genesis 28:10-22). Jacob’s obedience is immediate, showcasing his commitment to following God’s will.
2. Jacob’s Preparation (Verses 2-5)
Jacob commands his household to purify themselves and discard foreign gods, emphasizing the necessity of spiritual cleanliness when approaching God. This act of purification is symbolic of a deeper commitment to monotheism and the covenant with Yahweh. The fear of God striking the cities around them serves as a protective measure during their journey, illustrating divine intervention in Jacob’s life.
3. Worship at Bethel (Verses 6-7)
Upon arriving in Bethel, Jacob builds an altar and names the place El Bethel, signifying “God of Bethel.” This act of worship reestablishes the covenant relationship between Jacob and God, reinforcing the importance of acknowledging God’s presence in his life.
4. The Birth of Benjamin and the Death of Rachel (Verses 16-20)
As they travel, Rachel goes into labor and gives birth to Benjamin but dies in childbirth. This moment is poignant, as it highlights the struggles and sacrifices within Jacob’s family. Rachel’s death marks a significant turning point in Jacob’s life, as she was his favored wife. The naming of Benjamin, meaning “son of the right hand,” reflects both joy and sorrow, encapsulating the duality of life experiences.
5. The Establishment of the Twelve Tribes (Verses 21-26)
After Rachel’s death, the chapter lists Jacob’s sons, establishing the foundation for the twelve tribes of Israel. This lineage is crucial for the identity of the Israelite nation and God’s ongoing covenant with Jacob’s descendants.
6. The Death of Isaac (Verses 27-29)
The chapter concludes with the death of Isaac, Jacob’s father, marking the end of an era. Isaac’s death signifies the transition of patriarchal leadership to Jacob, emphasizing the continuity of God’s promises through generations.
Conclusion
Genesis Chapter 35 serves as a pivotal moment in Jacob’s life, encapsulating themes of divine guidance, the significance of worship, and the complexities of family relationships. The chapter reinforces the importance of obedience to God’s commands and the establishment of a legacy through Jacob’s lineage, which plays a crucial role in the unfolding narrative of the Israelites.
