Genesis 35:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So Jacob called the name of the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.

NIV: Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel.

NASB: And Jacob named the place where God had spoken with him, Bethel.

CSB: Jacob named the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.

NLT: And Jacob named the place Bethel (which means 'house of God'), because God had spoken to him there.

KJV: And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel.

NKJV: And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel.

Jacob responded to a renewed command from God (Genesis 35:1). That included burying his family's idols (Genesis 35:4) and traveling to Bethel, where Jacob had once had a divine encounter with God (Genesis 28:10–12). There, God confirmed the covenant promises of Jacob's ancestors are also his (Genesis 17:1; 26:2–4; 28:13–15; 35:11–12). In response, Jacob erected a pillar as a monument, and poured drink and oil offerings on it (Genesis 35:14).

Here, Jacob reconfirms the name of this very special place. This is where God has appeared to him, twice. It is appropriate to call it Bethel, meaning "house of God."

Genesis 35:1–15 describes the fulfillment of Jacob's vows made to the Lord some twenty years earlier. Then, Jacob encountered God after fleeing from Esau (Genesis 27:42). Now that Jacob has returned safely to Canaan and resolved the conflict with Esau, God commands him to build an altar at the place of their earlier meeting. Jacob rids his family of all of their false idols and builds the altar. God appears to him, confirming the covenant promises once more. Jacob responds to God's appearance and blessing by building a stone pillar and pouring a drink offering and oil over it. This location is named Bethel, meaning "House of God."

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.

Accessed 5/6/2024 8:47:06 AM