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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.

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Chapter outline

How Genesis 35 unfolds

  1. Genesis 35:1–4 God's Command to Jacob

    God instructs Jacob to return to Bethel and build an altar, prompting Jacob to order his family to discard foreign gods.

  2. Genesis 35:5–8 Journey to Bethel and Protection

    As Jacob travels, God instills fear in nearby cities, ensuring safe passage, and Rachel's nurse Deborah dies and is buried.

  3. Genesis 35:9–14 God Renames Jacob

    God appears to Jacob again, renaming him Israel and reaffirming His covenant promises of land and descendants.

  4. Genesis 35:15–19 Rachel's Death and Burial

    After giving birth to Benjamin, Rachel dies and is buried, leading Jacob to set up a pillar at her grave.

  5. Genesis 35:20–22 Reuben's Sin

    The chapter notes the birth of Jacob's twelve sons and records Reuben's inappropriate act with Bilhah.

  6. Genesis 35:23–27 Jacob's Sons Listed

    The twelve sons of Jacob are listed according to their mothers, establishing the foundation of the Israelite tribes.

  7. Genesis 35:28–29 Isaac's Death

    Jacob returns to Isaac, who dies at 180 years old, and both sons, Esau and Jacob, bury him.

Key verses

  • Genesis 35:10Genesis 35:10 captures the pivotal moment of Jacob's transformation and God's reaffirmation of His covenant.

Main themes in Genesis 35

Divine Command and Obedience

This theme surfaces when God commands Jacob to return to Bethel in verse 1. Jacob responds to this divine directive by instructing his family to purify themselves and prepare for the journey. The chapter highlights that obedience to God's commands is essential for the faithful, demonstrating that following divine guidance leads to fulfillment of God's purposes.

Covenant and Promise

The covenant theme is highlighted when God reaffirms His promise to Jacob in verses 10-12. In these verses, God assures Jacob of his identity and the blessings that will flow from his lineage, marking the establishment of a great nation. This section emphasizes the steadfastness of God's covenant, showcasing His commitment to fulfill promises that transcend generations.

Loss and Mourning

Rachel's death in verse 19 introduces the theme of loss and mourning into the narrative. Jacob's profound grief is portrayed as he erects a pillar at her grave, signifying both personal sorrow and familial loss. This theme serves to illustrate the deep emotional struggles individuals face, even as they navigate the broader context of God's unfolding plans.

Purity in Worship

Jacob's command for his family to discard foreign gods and purify themselves in verse 2 underscores the theme of purity in worship. This directive emphasizes the necessity of devotion to the one true God, positioning their spiritual integrity as a prerequisite for engaging in sacred practices. The chapter conveys that true worship requires a clear commitment to God, free from influences that compromise faith.

Cross-references

Passages that echo Genesis 35

Study questions

Questions for studying Genesis 35

  1. What does God command Jacob to do in verse 1?
  2. How does Jacob prepare his family for the journey to Bethel?
  3. What significant event occurs during Rachel's labor?
  4. What is the meaning of Jacob's new name, Israel?
  5. How does God protect Jacob during his journey?
  6. What sin does Reuben commit in this chapter?
  7. Why is the listing of Jacob's sons significant in the narrative?

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.

Related chapters

Chapters that connect with Genesis 35

Study Notes