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Genesis 35

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1God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and live there. Make there an altar to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.” 2Then Jacob said to his household, and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, change your garments. 3Let us arise, and go up to Bethel. I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me on the way which I went.” 4They gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the rings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem. 5They traveled, and a terror of God was on the cities that were around them, and they didn’t pursue the sons of Jacob. 6So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him. 7He built an altar there, and called the place El Beth El; because there God was revealed to him, when he fled from the face of his brother. 8Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the oak; and its name was called Allon Bacuth. 9God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan Aram, and blessed him. 10God said to him, “Your name is Jacob. Your name shall not be Jacob any more, but your name will be Israel.” He named him Israel. 11God said to him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations will be from you, and kings will come out of your body. 12The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give it to you, and to your offspring after you will I give the land.” 13God went up from him in the place where he spoke with him. 14Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he spoke with him, a pillar of stone. He poured out a drink offering on it, and poured oil on it. 15Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him “Bethel”. 16They traveled from Bethel. There was still some distance to come to Ephrath, and Rachel travailed. She had hard labor. 17When she was in hard labor, the midwife said to her, “Don’t be afraid, for now you will have another son.” 18As her soul was departing (for she died), she named him Benoni, but his father named him Benjamin. 19Rachel died, and was buried on the way to Ephrath (also called Bethlehem). 20Jacob set up a pillar on her grave. The same is the Pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day. 21Israel traveled, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Eder. 22While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father’s concubine, and Israel heard of it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve. 23The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob’s firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. 24The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. 25The sons of Bilhah (Rachel’s servant): Dan and Naphtali. 26The sons of Zilpah (Leah’s servant): Gad and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan Aram. 27Jacob came to Isaac his father, to Mamre, to Kiriath Arba (which is Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac lived as foreigners. 28The days of Isaac were one hundred eighty years. 29Isaac gave up the spirit, and died, and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. Esau and Jacob, his sons, buried him.

World English Bible (public domain)

And God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name." And he called his name Israel.

Genesis 35:10

Summary

In Genesis chapter 35, God commands Jacob to return to Bethel, the place where Jacob first encountered the divine. As Jacob obeys, he instructs his household to put away foreign gods and purify themselves, illustrating the importance of dedicating one's life to the one true God. Upon their journey, God protects Jacob and his family, striking fear into the cities around them to prevent them from pursuing Jacob's clan. The chapter emphasizes the fulfillment of God's promises, as He reaffirms the covenant made with Jacob, declaring him as the father of nations and promising land to his descendants. Additionally, the chapter recounts the death of Rachel during childbirth and the subsequent burial of Jacob's beloved wife, highlighting themes of loss and God's sovereignty in times of grief.

Key Themes

Divine Command and ObedienceCovenant and PromiseLoss and MourningPurity in Worship

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Genesis 35: frequently asked questions

What is Genesis 35 about?+
In Genesis chapter 35, God commands Jacob to return to Bethel, the place where Jacob first encountered the divine. As Jacob obeys, he instructs his household to put away foreign gods and purify themselves, illustrating the importance of dedicating one's life to the one true God. Upon their journey, God protects Jacob and his family, striking fear into the cities around them to prevent them from pursuing Jacob's clan. The chapter emphasizes the fulfillment of God's promises, as He reaffirms the covenant made with Jacob, declaring him as the father of nations and promising land to his descendants. Additionally, the chapter recounts the death of Rachel during childbirth and the subsequent burial of Jacob's beloved wife, highlighting themes of loss and God's sovereignty in times of grief.
What is the key verse in Genesis 35?+
Genesis 35:10: "And God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name." And he called his name Israel."
What are the main themes of Genesis 35?+
The main themes of Genesis 35 are Divine Command and Obedience, Covenant and Promise, Loss and Mourning, Purity in Worship.

Study Notes