Genesis 35

35:1-29 This chapter highlights God’s promises, Jacob’s vow, and the transition to Jacob’s sons’ carrying on the covenant. Deborah, Rachel, and Isaac all died, marking the end of an era and of the account of Isaac’s family (25:19–35:29). • Idols were removed (35:1-4) and pure worship was established (35:6-7). During this transition, the faith had to be revitalized so that the covenant could be carried forward by Jacob’s sons.35:1-7 Jacob returned to Bethel, about fifteen miles south of Shechem, to complete the vows he had made there (28:20-22).

35:2-4 Jacob had vowed wholehearted devotion to the Lord (28:20-22); establishing this required that his family remove all pagan idols and cease their devotion to other gods. God permits no rivals; only the Lord was to be their God (cp. Josh 5:1-9).

35:3 He has been with me wherever I have gone: God had fulfilled his promises (28:15; 31:3), so Jacob must fulfill his vow.

35:5 a terror from God: People had heard about the massacre of Shechem (34:25-30).

35:6-7 Jacob built an altar at Bethel as God had instructed (35:1; cp. 12:8).

35:9-15 At Bethel, God confirmed the promise he had made there earlier; he reiterated Jacob’s change of name from Jacob to Israel as proof that the blessing had been given.

35:11-12 God’s reference to himself as God Almighty assured Jacob that his promise could and would be fulfilled. At Bethel, God had promised that Jacob would have descendants in the land (cp. 28:13-14); here he added that his descendants would include kings (see 17:6).

35:14-15 In fulfilling his vow (28:20-22), Jacob’s actions were almost identical to his actions in the earlier experience at Bethel (cp. 28:16-19).

35:16-20 Benjamin’s birth completed the family, but it was a sorrowful event because Rachel died in childbirth (see study note on 31:32).

35:18 Rachel found the name son of my sorrow appropriate to the situation, but Jacob did not want such a sad name for his son, so he changed it to son of my right hand. Jacob thus turned the day of sorrow into a day of hope that gave his son the prospect of success.

35:19 Jacob did not carry Rachel’s body to the family tomb at Machpelah (23:1-20; 25:9; 49:30; 50:13) but buried her in the territory that would be Benjamin’s (see Josh 18:21-28; 1 Sam 10:2).

35:20 it can be seen there to this day: This seems to be a later editorial comment by someone who was living in the land after the conquest and giving directions to the tomb (see Genesis Book Introduction, “Composition”).

35:22 Reuben had intercourse with Bilhah, thus defiling his father’s marriage bed. Perhaps Reuben, as the oldest son, was trying to replace his father as head of the clan by a pagan procedure (cp. 2 Sam 16:15-22), but by this action he lost his birthright (see Gen 49:3-4). • Jacob soon heard about it, but he again delayed his response (see 49:3-4; cp. 34:5).

35:23-26 The twelve sons became leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel. Their names are the firstfruits of the nation.

35:27-29 Esau and Jacob (listed here in ordinary birth order) came together—probably for the first time since they had reconciled (33:16-17)—to bury Isaac in Hebron (see 13:18; 23:1-2, 17-19).