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Chapter
35 of 50
Testament
Old Testament
Verses
29
✦ Chapter Background
Genesis 35 — The renewal of God's covenant with Jacob is affirmed through the removal of idolatry and the dedication of a sacred altar at Bethel.
After Jacob's 20-year sojourn with Laban, God commands him to return to Bethel, where Jacob purifies his household by discarding foreign gods and erects a new altar to mark the renewal of the Abrahamic covenant. This chapter records Jacob's obedience, the divine terror that confirms God's presence in Canaan, and the birth of Benjamin.
H2588 — "altar" (a raised platform for sacrifice) — It encapsulates the chapter's purpose: a tangible sign of covenant renewal, divine presence, and proper worship after spiritual purification.
Author
Moses
Written
~1445-1405 BC (Traditional view) / ~6th century BCE (Scholarly consensus)
Genesis — Chapter 35 — KJV
1
And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.
Simply PutGod (Elohim, H430) calls Jacob to rise and return to Bethel. He wants Jacob to set up a mizbeah (altar, G4620) where God first appeared when he fled from Esau. This is a reminder that the One who chased you away can also be your refuge.
2
Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
Simply PutJacob asks his household to put away the elohim zarim (strange gods, H2150) among them. He urges them to become tahor (clean, G8459) and change their garments. It's a call to strip away the idols that crowd our hearts and start fresh in God.
3
And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
Simply PutJacob promises to build an altar to the God who shama (answered, H8084) him in distress. He acknowledges that God walked with him on the road he traveled. Even in our darkest valleys, God's presence is constant.
4
And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.
Simply PutThe family hands over their elohim zarim and earrings, and Jacob hides them under an allon (oak, H556). This act symbolizes burying the past sins and keeping them out of sight. It shows a decisive break from old worship.
5
And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.
Simply PutAs they journey, the terror (ra'ah, H7148) of God falls upon the surrounding cities. The enemy does not pursue Jacob's sons. God's protective fear can shield us when we trust Him.
6
So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, that is, Bethel, he and all the people that were with him.
Simply PutJacob reaches Luz, later known as Bethel—House of God. He arrives with all his people. This is a reminder that even after wandering, we can find a divine dwelling place.
7
And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother.
Simply PutHe builds an altar and names the site Elbethel (God of Bethel, H430 + H1120). It commemorates the first appearance of God when Jacob fled his brother. The name reminds us that God's grace follows our flight.
8
But Deborah Rebekah’s nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth.
Simply PutDeborah, Rebekah’s nurse, dies and is buried beneath an allon bachuth (oak of weeping, H556 + H269). The place is named for its sorrowful memory. Even in grief, God's presence can be a silent comfort.
9
And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.
Simply PutGod appears again as Jacob leaves Padan-Aram and blesses him. This second blessing shows that God's favor can follow us over distance and change.
10
And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.
Simply PutGod declares, “Your name is Jacob no longer; it will be Israel.” The new name (Yisra’el, H3475) means “he struggles with God.” It signifies a transformation from merely grasping to wrestling with the Divine.
11
And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;
Simply PutGod declares Himself as Ehyeh (I AM, H1961) Almighty. He commands Jacob to be fruitful and multiply into a nation of nations with kings from his loins. This promise speaks to the power within each believer to bear fruit despite trials.
12
And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.
Simply PutGod promises that the land given to Abraham and Isaac will be Jacob’s inheritance. The seed (zera, H2199) of his line will own it forever. It assures that God's promises are passed down through generations.
13
And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him.
Simply PutAfter speaking with Jacob, God ascended (na'ala, H5129) from the place. This signifies God's departure but also His continued presence in the covenant.
14
And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
Simply PutJacob sets up a stone pillar at the place where God talked with him and makes a drink offering. The pillar stands as a lasting reminder of divine encounter. It teaches us to memorialize God's moments in our lives.
15
And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel.
Simply PutHe names the place Bethel, “House of God.” The name holds the memory of God's speech. It reminds us that sacred places are wherever we hear God’s voice.
16
And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.
Simply PutThe journey from Bethel to Ephrath is short, but Rachel experiences hard labour. Even a little piece of ground can become a place of great trial. It's a reminder that life’s burdens can strike unexpectedly.
17
And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.
Simply PutAs Rachel labors, the midwife says, “Fear not; you will also have this son.” This reassurance offers hope amid pain. Even in suffering, God promises new life.
18
And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin.
Simply PutRachel names her son Benoni—“son of my sorrow”—as she dies. Jacob renames him Benjamin—“son of the right hand.” Even in loss, God gives us a new identity and future.
19
And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.
Simply PutRachel is buried on the road to Bethlehem, the City of Ephrath. Her final resting place marks a transition point for the nation. It reminds us that death can become part of God's larger purpose.
20
And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave unto this day.
Simply PutJacob sets a pillar on Rachel’s grave, which still stands today. The pillar serves as a tangible memory of love lost and God’s faithfulness. It shows how we can honor those who shaped our journey.
21
And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar.
Simply PutIsrael spreads his tent beyond the tower of Edar, expanding his family’s reach. This action signifies growth and settlement. It encourages us to move beyond our current limits.
22
And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve:
Simply PutWhile Israel dwells in the land, Reuben lies with Bilhah (his father's concubine), and Jacob hears of it. This act brings tension among the sons, foreshadowing future conflicts. It warns that hidden sins can erupt into family strife.
23
The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:
Simply PutThe sons of Leah—Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun—are listed. Each will play a role in the unfolding story of Israel. It reminds us that every family member contributes to God's plan.
24
The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin:
Simply PutThe sons of Rachel—Joseph and Benjamin—are named. They will become central to Israel’s destiny. Even a small family can hold great purpose.
25
And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali:
Simply PutThe sons of Bilhah—Dan and Naphtali—are recorded. Their names carry unique meanings. It shows God’s inclusion of all within the covenant.
26
And the sons of Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid; Gad, and Asher: these are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in Padanaram.
Simply PutThe sons of Zilpah—Gad and Asher—are listed, born in Padan-Aram. These twelve form the foundation of Israel’s tribes. It highlights that God gathers a diverse people.
27
And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.
Simply PutJacob travels to Isaac at Mamre in Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned. This visit reconnects generations. It illustrates the continuity of God’s promise across ages.
28
And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years.
Simply PutIsaac lives to be an hundred and fourscore years. His long life reflects God’s blessing. It reminds us that faithful living can be richly rewarded.
29
And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
Simply PutIsaac gives up his ghost (naphash, H5355), dies, and is gathered unto his people. He is buried by his sons Esau and Jacob. This closure shows that life ends, but the covenant continues through the descendants.
Genesis 28:18-22Jacob’s first altar at Bethel and vow there directly precede his return in Genesis 35, showing the continuity of divine encounter and covenant renewal.
Deuteronomy 12:2"And thou shalt put away all the strange gods which are among you," echoing Jacob’s command in v2 to remove foreign idols from his household.
Exodus 3:1-6God's manifestation in the burning bush at Horeb parallels the appearance of God to Jacob at Bethel, underscoring the sacredness of that location.
Joshua 24:15The Israelites’ covenant renewal to serve the LORD mirrors Jacob’s vow at Bethel, highlighting a recurring biblical theme of recommitment to God.
Reflect
Reflect on a recent moment when you sensed God speaking to you in a particular place or situation—how did that encounter shape the way you 'named' or honored that moment in your life?
