Genesis 35:16 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor.

NIV: Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty.

NASB: Then they journeyed on from Bethel; but when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and she suffered severe difficulties in her labor.

CSB: They set out from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult.

NLT: Leaving Bethel, Jacob and his clan moved on toward Ephrath. But Rachel went into labor while they were still some distance away. Her labor pains were intense.

KJV: And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.

NKJV: Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor.

God appeared to Jacob at a place later named Bethel. This was as Jacob fled his furious brother (Genesis 27:42; 28:10–14). Decades later, God has once again met with Jacob to affirm all the covenant promises given to Abraham and Isaac are for him and his offspring, as well (Genesis 35:11–12). Included in that reminder is that fact that Jacob's name has been changed to Israel (Genesis 32:28; 35:10).

Now the company leaves Bethel and begins to travel south toward the Ephrath region. This is the location of Bethlehem. Before they arrive, Jacob's most loved wife Rachel (Genesis 29:30) goes into labor with her second son. Her first son, Joseph, was an answer to desperate prayer (Genesis 30:22–24). As part of her celebration, Rachel had asked God for another son. Whether she had other children—meaning daughters—between then and now, Scripture does not say.

This labor is difficult, likely made more so by the fact that it occurs during a period of travel. The Hebrew words used in this passage imply concepts such as "severe," "harsh," or even "fierce." Before they can reach their destination, Jacob's great blessing from God will be followed by tragic loss (Genesis 35:17–19).

Genesis 35:16–29 describes Jacob's painful losses following God's great blessing at Bethel. His beloved wife Rachel dies giving birth to his twelfth son, Benjamin. Jacob buries her and builds a stone pillar to mark her tomb. Next, his firstborn son, Reuben, defiles the family by sleeping with one of Jacob's servant-wives. Though Jacob seems to do nothing, at first, Reuben will lose his birthright as a result. Finally, Jacob's father Isaac dies at 180 years old. Jacob and Esau reunite to lay their father to rest at the family burial cave at Mamre. The rest of Genesis will explain how the people of Israel came to live in Egypt.

God commands Jacob to build an altar to Him at Bethel. This will fulfill vows Jacob made after encountering the Lord for the first time, as he was fleeing for his life from Esau. Jacob rids his family of all their false idols and travels to Bethel. God appears to him again, reaffirming all the covenant promises. As they travel away, Rachel dies giving birth to Jacob's twelfth son. His first son, Reuben, sleeps with Jacob's servant-wife Bilhah, losing his birthright as a result. Finally, Jacob's father Isaac dies at 180 years old.

Recent events have left Jacob fearful of the people of the land. His sons slaughtered an entire town to avenge their sister's rape. However, God apparently uses this bloodshed to inspire fear. Nobody attacks Jacob's family as they travel to Bethel, setting up an altar and renewing their covenant with God. Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin. Jacob's eldest son sleeps with one of his servant-wives, losing his birthright. Isaac dies, and Jacob and Esau bury him in the family burial cave in Mamre. The story then focuses on Jacob's sons, primarily Joseph, as the family finds themselves drawn into Egypt.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.