35:1 Bethel See 28:19 and note.

dwell there It is unclear why Jacob does not stay longer at Bethel.

make an altar When Jacob first encountered God at Bethel (28:10–22), he erected a pillar (matsevah in Hebrew) and anointed it (see 28:18–22). Now he is instructed to build an altar at the same location.

Altars in the Old Testament Table

the God Here, the Hebrew word for “God” is el, not the more common elohim. El is used deliberately to recall the incident at Bethel (beth-el) in ch. 28. A similar use of el occurs in 31:13 to remind Jacob of God’s covenant promises.

35:2 foreign gods The Hebrew phrase used here, elohe nekhar, refers to the idols buried by Jacob in v. 4. At his encounter with God at Bethel in 28:10–22, Jacob vowed that if God were to rescue him from exile, then Yahweh shall be his God. However, it seems that those of Jacob’s household, and perhaps even him, had been worshiping other gods since then. Although a different Hebrew word is used here than the one used for the figurines (or household gods) that Rachel stole from her father Laban (see 31:19 and note), Jacob could be referring to those figurines. It seems, though, that more than the figurines stolen by Rachel were involved.

purify yourselves and change your garments The meaning of these acts is unclear, but the acts likely have to do with meeting God on holy ground (compare Exod 3:5) and may be related to purification needed after the defiling acts of Gen 34. Jacob and his family departed from Shechem (34), part of the promised land (see 12:1–9). But for Jacob Bethel was one of the most holy places because God had appeared to him there (28:18–22).

35:4 ornamental rings The inclusion of the rings suggests they were associated with the foreign gods (perhaps carved with symbols) or used in the worship of foreign gods. God’s previous blessings of Jacob—despite the presence of idolatry among his household—represents the fulfillment of Yahweh’s promise to Abraham and Isaac (Gen 28:13–15). Compare note on v. 2.

oak Trees often marked sacred sites in Israelite religion. This tree can be identified with the tree of Moreh at Shechem mentioned in Abraham’s encounter with Yahweh many years earlier (12:6–7). Burial of the foreign gods and rings at this place, and under this tree, marks a surrender of these items and the people of Jacob’s household to the lordship of Yahweh.

Sacred Trees in Israelite Religion

35:5 the terror of God While it is unclear what this description refers to, it is clear that God makes the safe passage possible. It seems that it was necessary because of the actions of Levi and Simeon at Shechem (see 34:30 and note)—travel was also risky in general in the ancient Near East.

35:6 Luz The earlier name of the city of Bethel, according to 28:19 (see note on 28:19).

35:7 El-Bethel This term means the “the God of Bethel.”

God The Hebrew word used here is ha-elohim; in the Hebrew text it is accompanied by the definite article (“the”), which at times indicates that Yahweh is the God, set apart from, and superior to, all others (see Deut 4:35). Here, its use indicates the significance of the Bethel event—that the true God, Yahweh, had passed on His promises to Jacob at that time and place (compare note on Gen 35:1–15).

35:8 the nurse of Rebekah See 24:59.

Allon-Bacuth This term means the “oak of weeping.”

35:9 God appeared to Jacob again The Hebrew phrase used here could indicate that God appeared again to Jacob during, or upon, his return to Bethel. This would indicate that the narrative of vv. 9–13 records a new divine encounter with God that brings together various moments in Jacob’s life. If this is the case, the “again” would refer back to an earlier encounter, such as that at Peniel (32:22–32) or Bethel 30 years earlier (28:10–22). Alternatively, the Hebrew phrase may not refer to Jacob having a new encounter with God, but instead indicate that vv. 9–13 is a recounting of earlier events with additional details. In v. 7, Jacob’s first encounter with God at Bethel (28:10–22) was referenced, suggesting that vv. 9–13 could refer to Jacob’s second divine encounter at Peniel (32:22–32).

35:10 Israel shall be your name See 32:28 and note.

35:11 I am El-Shaddai See note on 17:1.

Be fruitful and multiply This command appears elsewhere in Genesis (see 1:22, 28 and note; 8:17; 9:1 and note; 9:7; compare 28:3; 48:4).

A nation Part of the original promise to Abraham (12:2 and note). God repeats the covenant stipulations to Jacob (28:13–15), showing Jacob’s participation in God’s covenant with the Abrahamic line.

kings shall go out from your loins See 49:10; compare 17:6, 16.

35:14 a pillar of stone See note on 28:18.

a drink offering This offering involved pouring out liquid, usually wine, in honor of God (compare Exod 29:40–42; Isa 57:6).

oil on it This marks the pillar as sacred (compare Gen 28:18).

35:16 Then they journeyed from Bethel There is no indication why Jacob leaves Bethel after God told him to dwell there. However, the length of time between the rededication at Bethel and their departure is not specified. The term does not require a specific amount of time.

Ephrath Rachel gives birth to Benjamin just before reaching Ephrath, and will be buried nearby (v. 19). v. 19 identifies Ephrath with Bethlehem, as do other passages (48:7; 1 Sam 17:12; Ruth 1:2; 4:11; Mic 5:2). Bethlehem is located in the territory of the tribe of Judah; it is surprising that Rachel is not buried in one of the territories allotted to her sons—Joseph and Benjamin.

35:17 you have another son Although children were viewed as marks of divine favor, sons were especially prized. In addition to carrying on the family name, they worked for and protected the family as they increased in age and strength.

35:18 Ben-Oni This Hebrew name can mean either “son of my sorrow,” “son of my oath” or “son of my wickedness.” Because of the context, “son of my sorrow” is more likely.

his father called him Benjamin (binyamin in Hebrew) means “son of the right hand.” Since the Hebrew word -yamin is also used to denote the southern direction (facing east), the name can also mean “son of the south.”

Symbolic Names of People in Hebrew Table

35:22 Bilhah, his father’s concubine Bilhah was Rachel’s maidservant. With the matriarch of the family (Rachel) now dead, Reuben’s violation of Bilhah ensures she will never replace Rachel as chief wife. Had Bilhah desired this status, her chief rival would have been Leah—Reuben’s mother.

the sons of Jacob See chs. 29–30. These sons, with their descendants Ephraim and Manasseh (ch. 48), become the tribes of Israel.

35:27 Kiriath-Arba This is an early name for Hebron. See note on 23:2.

35:29 Isaac passed away Genesis 49:29–32 clarifies that Isaac was buried at the Cave of Machpelah. Isaac’s wife, Rebekah, was also buried there.