Genesis 35:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

NIV: Israel moved on again and pitched his tent beyond Migdal Eder.

NASB: Then Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

CSB: Israel set out again and pitched his tent beyond the Tower of Eder.

NLT: Then Jacob traveled on and camped beyond Migdal-eder.

KJV: And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar.

NKJV: Then Israel journeyed and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

This is the first time Scripture directly uses the name Israel for the man born as Jacob (Genesis 35:10). The two names will alternate throughout the rest of the Bible. His birth name of Ya'aqōb can suggest someone who "usurps," or steals the benefits of others. This is exactly what he did to his older twin, Esau (Genesis 25:25–26; 27:30–35). After a divine encounter with God, Jacob is given the name Yisrā'ēl, noting his struggling with both men and with the Lord (Genesis 32:28).

Jacob's beloved wife, Rachel, has recently died in childbirth (Genesis 35:16–20). The family was on their way from Bethel to the region of Ephrath (Genesis 35:1). Now they move on and set up camp at a location called Migdal-'ēder. This Hebrew phrase literally means "tower of the flock." It might have been an actual, literal watchtower meant to better observe the shepherds in the region. Or, this is simply the same given to that area. An exact location is unknown, though it's somewhere between Bethlehem (Genesis 35:19) and Hebron (Genesis 35:27).

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.

Accessed 5/2/2024 1:09:27 AM