Genesis 35:11

Footnotes

1. 24 The name אֵל שַׁדַּי (’el shadday, “El Shaddai”) has often been translated “God Almighty,” primarily because Jerome translated it omnipotens (“all powerful”) in the Latin . There has been much debate over the meaning of the name. For discussion see W. F. Albright, “The Names Shaddai and Abram,” 54 (1935): 173–210; R. Gordis, “The Biblical Root sdy-sd,” 41 (1940): 34–43; and especially T. N. D. Mettinger, In Search of God, 69–72. Shaddai/El Shaddai is the sovereign king of the world who grants, blesses, and judges. In the Book of Genesis he blesses the patriarchs with fertility and promises numerous descendants. Outside Genesis he both blesses/protects and takes away life/happiness. The patriarchs knew God primarily as El Shaddai (Exod 6:3). While the origin and meaning of this name are uncertain its significance is clear. The name is used in contexts where God appears as the source of fertility and life. For a fuller discussion see the note on “sovereign God” in .
2. 25 Heb “A nation and a company of nations will be from you and kings from your loins will come out.” A nation … will descend from you. The promise is rooted in the Abrahamic promise (see Gen 17). God confirms what Isaac told Jacob (see Gen 28:3–4). Here, though, for the first time Jacob is promised kings as descendants.