GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 35:1 Jacob moves by stages from Shechem to Bethel, eventually coming to Hebron, where his father Isaac is still alive. Transformed by the experiences of Bethel and Peniel, Jacob is now ready to assume his role as the one through whom God’s promises to Abraham will be continue... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 35:2 Jacob prepares his household for entering God’s presence: BETHEL is the “house of God.” They must rid themselves of FOREIGN GODS, as emphasized in the first of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3). Rachel’s theft of her father’s household gods suggests that polytheistic be... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 35:4 It is not clear whether THE RINGS THAT WERE IN THEIR EARS were worn by the people or by the foreign gods. Some ancient Near Eastern evidence indicates that idols could have earrings. Jacob probably buried these cultic objects. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTa... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 35:5 A TERROR FROM GOD. While the nature of this terror is unknown, other passages in Genesis 1:1 record how the fear of God is used to protect the patriarchs (e.g., Genesis 20:8; Genesis 26:28). Jacob’s fears (Genesis 34:30) are answered by God’s protection, in spite of Sime... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 35:6 LUZ (THAT IS, BETHEL). See note on 28:19. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 35:8 DEBORAH, REBEKAH’S NURSE, was mentioned in Genesis 24:59, though not by name. Deborah’s presence with Jacob may suggest that Rebekah had sent her to him in connection with her promise to bring Jacob back home (Genesis 27:45). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTag... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 35:9 BLESSED HIM. This not only confirms the blessing of Genesis 32:29 but also makes Jacob equal to Abraham and Isaac (see Genesis 24:1; Genesis 25:11). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElements [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 35:10 On the change of Jacob’s name to ISRAEL, see note on 32:28. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 35:11 God’s second statement emphasizes that Jacob is now heir to the divine promises given to Abraham and Isaac. KINGS SHALL COME FROM YOUR OWN BODY. The promise of royal descendants is first given to Abraham in Genesis 17:6. This theme will reappear in Joseph’s dreams (Gene... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 35:14 PILLAR. See note on 28:18. DRINK OFFERING. This is the only mention in Genesis 1:1 of such an offering. Later references suggest that wine was used (e.g., Numbers 15:1). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = docume [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 35:16 RACHEL dies while giving birth. The name that Rachel gives her newborn son, BEN-ONI, is potentially ambiguous (see esv footnote). Jacob changes the name to make its meaning certain. BENJAMIN means “son of my right hand.” ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 35:18 HER SOUL WAS DEPARTING. This is one place in the OT where the Hebrew word translated “soul” refers to what gives life to the body. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 35:22 REUBEN WENT AND LAY WITH BILHAH HIS FATHER’S CONCUBINE. While Reuben’s action may have been prompted by lust, it challenged Jacob’s position as head of the household. Jacob later denies Reuben the inheritance due him as the firstborn (Genesis 49:3). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images =... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 35:26 THESE WERE THE SONS OF JACOB WHO WERE BORN TO HIM IN PADDAN-ARAM. Strictly speaking (see vv. Genesis 35:16), Benjamin was not born in Paddan-aram, but this is a general summary statement. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images... [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 35:27 MAMRE, OR KIRIATH-ARBA (THAT IS, HEBRON). See notes on 13:18; 23:2. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 35:28 In spite of hinting that he would soon die in Genesis 27:1, Isaac has remained alive during Jacob’s 20 years of exile in Paddan-aram. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]