Arise go to Bethel — Here God minds Jacob of his vow at Beth — el, and sends him thither to perform it, Jacob had said in the day of his distress, If I come again in peace, this stone shall be God's house, Genesis 28:22. God had performed his part, had given Jacob more than bread to eat, and raiment... [ Continue Reading ]
And they gave to Jacob — His servants, and even the retainers to his family, gave him all the strange gods, and the ear — rings they wore either as charms, or to the honour of their gods. Jacob took care to bury their images, we may suppose, in some place unknown to them, that they might not afterwa... [ Continue Reading ]
And the terror of God was upon the cities — Though the Canaanites were much exasperated against the sons of Jacob for their barbarous usage of the Shechemites; yet they were so restrained by a divine power, that they could not take this fair opportunity to avenge their neighbours quarrel. God govern... [ Continue Reading ]
He built an altar — And no doubt offered sacrifice upon it, perhaps the tenth of his cattle, according to his vow, I will give the tenth unto thee. And he called the place, That is, the altar, El — beth — el, the God of Beth — el. As when he made a thankful acknowledgement of the honour God had done... [ Continue Reading ]
There he buried Deborah, Rebekah's nurse — We have reason to think that Jacob, after he came to Canaan, while his family dwelt near Shechem, went himself to visit his father Isaac at Hebron. Rebekah probably was dead, but her old nurse (of whom mention is made Genesis 24:59,) survived her, and Jacob... [ Continue Reading ]
God now confirmed the change of his name. It was done before by the angel that wrestled with him, Genesis 32:28, and here it was ratified by the divine majesty, to encourage him against the fear of the Canaanites. Who can be too hard for Israel, a prince with God?... [ Continue Reading ]
He renewed and ratified the covenant with him, by the name of El — Shaddai, I am God Almighty. God All — sufficient, able to make good the promise in due time, and to support thee and provide for thee. Two things are promised him. That he should be the father of a great nation: great in number, a co... [ Continue Reading ]
And God went up from him — Or, from over him — In some visible display of glory, which had hovered over him, while he talked with him.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jacob set up a pillar — When he was going to Padan — aram he set up that stone which he had laid his head on for a pillar; but now he took time to erect one more stately, and durable, probably inserting that stone into it. And in token of his intending it for a sacred memorial of his communion w... [ Continue Reading ]
She had hard labour — Harder than usual.... [ Continue Reading ]
Rachel had said when she bore Joseph, God shall give me another son, which now the midwife remembers, and tells her, her words were made good. Yet this did not avail; unless God command away fear, no one else can. We are apt in extreme perils to comfort ourselves and our friends with the hopes of a... [ Continue Reading ]
Her dying lips calls her new — born soon Benoni, the son of my sorrow. But Jacob because he would not renew the sorrowful remembrance of his mother's death every time he called his son by name, changed his name, and called him Benjamin, the son of my right hand — That is, very dear to me; set on my... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jacob set up a pillar upon her grave — So that it was known long after to be Rachel's sepulchre, 1 Samuel 10:2, and Providence so ordered it, that this place afterwards fell in the lot of Benjamin. Jacob set up a pillar in remembrance of his joys Genesis 35:14, and here he set up one in remembra... [ Continue Reading ]
Israel, a prince with God, yet dwells in tents; the city is reserved for him in the other world.... [ Continue Reading ]
When Israel dwelt in that land — As if he were then absent from his family, which might be the unhappy occasion of these disorders. Though perhaps Bilhah was the greater criminal, yet Reuben's crime was so provoking that for it he lost his birth — right and blessing, Genesis 49:4. And Israel heard i... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jacob came unto Isaac his father — We may suppose he had visited him before since his return, for he sore longed after his father's house, but never 'till now brought his family to settle with him, or near him. Probably he did this now upon the death of Rebekah, by which Isaac was left solitary.... [ Continue Reading ]
The age and death of Isaac are here recorded, though it appears by computation that he died not 'till many years after Joseph was sold into Egypt, and much about the time that he was preferred there. Isaac, a mild quiet man, lived the longest of all the patriarchs, for he was one hundred and eighty... [ Continue Reading ]