Commentary on Genesis 35

Genesis 35 marks a pivotal moment in Jacob's life, as God calls him back to Bethel to fulfill a vow and renew the Abrahamic covenant. This chapter is filled with significant events: the purging of foreign gods, the death of Deborah, the birth of Benjamin and the death of Rachel, and the return to Isaac. It underscores themes of divine faithfulness, Jacob's spiritual growth, and the ongoing, sometimes painful, formation of God's chosen family, setting the stage for the next generation of patriarchs.

Historical context

Genesis, traditionally attributed to Moses, recounts the foundational history of God's relationship with humanity and the patriarchs. Chapter 35 occurs after Jacob's dramatic reconciliation with Esau (Gen 33) and the tragic events at Shechem involving Dinah and Simeon and Levi (Gen 34). Jacob's family is still grappling with the consequences of their actions and the presence of foreign influences within their household.

The narrative is set in Canaan, the land promised to Abraham's descendants. The call for Jacob to return to Bethel (meaning “House of God”) is a direct divine command, recalling his earlier encounter with God there (Gen 28:10-22). This return signifies a spiritual reset for Jacob and his family, emphasizing purity and renewed commitment to the covenant God. The deaths of Deborah and Rachel, and the naming of Benjamin, are crucial personal and familial milestones that shape the lineage of Israel.

Verse by verse

• 1:

  God commands Jacob to return to Bethel, the place where he first encountered God and made a vow (Gen 28:10-22). This divine directive is a call to spiritual renewal and covenant faithfulness after the difficult events in Shechem, urging Jacob to re-establish his relationship with God in a specific, sacred location.

• 2:

  Jacob responds by instructing his household to purify themselves, remove foreign gods, and change their clothes. This act of purification is crucial, indicating a recognition that their recent troubles were linked to spiritual compromise and the presence of idols, likely brought by his wives from Paddan-aram.

• 4:

  The family surrenders their foreign gods and earrings, which Jacob buries under an oak tree near Shechem. This physical act of burying the idols symbolizes a decisive break with pagan practices and a commitment to exclusive worship of the Lord, marking a significant step in their spiritual journey.

• 5:

  As Jacob's family travels, a terror from God falls upon the surrounding towns, preventing them from pursuing Jacob. This divine protection underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant people, shielding them from potential retaliation for the massacre at Shechem (Gen 34).

• 7:

  Jacob builds an altar at Bethel and names the place El-Bethel, “God of Bethel,” because God had revealed Himself there. This act of worship and naming commemorates God's previous appearance and reaffirms the sacredness of the location and the covenant relationship.

• 9:

  God appears to Jacob again at Bethel, reaffirming His covenant promises. This is a significant moment of divine encounter, emphasizing God's continued presence and commitment to Jacob despite his past failings and the family's recent troubles.

• 10:

  God formally renames Jacob “Israel,” confirming the name given to him at Peniel (Gen 32:28). This renaming signifies a new identity and destiny, marking him as the progenitor of a nation and a people who will wrestle with God and prevail.

• 11:

  God reiterates the covenant promises of fruitfulness, nationhood, and the land. He declares, “I am God Almighty” (El Shaddai), a powerful title emphasizing His omnipotence and ability to fulfill His promises, even through difficult circumstances.

• 16:

  Rachel goes into labor while traveling from Bethel, experiencing great difficulty. This tragic event foreshadows the sorrow to come, highlighting the harsh realities and personal losses that accompany the unfolding of God's plan.

• 18:

  Rachel names her dying son Ben-Oni, “son of my sorrow,” but Jacob renames him Benjamin, “son of my right hand.” This renaming reflects Jacob's hope and perhaps a desire to mitigate the grief, but also points to Benjamin's future significance as one of the twelve tribes.

• 19:

  Rachel dies and is buried on the way to Ephrath (Bethlehem). Her death is a profound loss for Jacob, marking the end of an era and a significant personal tragedy within the patriarchal narrative. Her tomb becomes a landmark, remembered throughout Israel's history.

• 22:

  Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, commits incest with Bilhah, Rachel's servant and Jacob's concubine. This shocking act of moral failure within the family highlights the ongoing sinfulness even among God's chosen people, foreshadowing future tribal conflicts and Reuben's loss of his birthright.

• 27:

  Jacob finally returns to his father Isaac at Mamre, near Hebron. This reunion brings Jacob's long journey home to a close, allowing him to be with his aging father before Isaac's death, connecting the generations of the covenant.

• 29:

  Isaac dies at 180 years old and is buried by his sons Esau and Jacob. This marks the passing of another patriarch, uniting the estranged brothers in a final act of respect and closing a significant chapter in the history of God's covenant family.

Key themes

• Divine Faithfulness
• Spiritual Purification
• Covenant Renewal
• Family Formation and Conflict
• Sovereignty in Suffering

Application

Genesis 35 reminds us that God is faithful to His promises, even when our lives are messy and filled with spiritual compromise. Jacob's journey back to Bethel, prompted by God's command, serves as a powerful call for us to return to places of spiritual encounter and recommitment. Just as Jacob's family had to purge themselves of foreign gods, we are called to examine our own lives for idols—anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts.

The narrative also shows that God's plan unfolds amidst human tragedy and sin. Rachel's death and Reuben's transgression are painful reminders that even in the covenant family, life is marked by sorrow and moral failure. Yet, God's purposes prevail. This encourages us to trust in God's sovereign hand, knowing that He works through our imperfections and even our deepest griefs to bring about His good and perfect will, ultimately pointing us to the greater faithfulness of Christ, who perfectly fulfilled God's covenant.

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