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James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 35:8

DEBORAH"And Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried below Bethel under the oak: and the name of it was called Allon-bacuth."As Richardson said, "This note, so surprising in its context, can only be explained as recording an event that took place."[18] Many have commented upon the fact that Deborah, a woman of low estate, should be accorded this special and devoted reference, whereas her mistress Rebekah died and was buried with no notice whatever of the event itself appearing anywhere... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 35:8

Genesis 35:8. Deborah, Rebekah's nurse— See ch. Genesis 24:59. This incident is mentioned to give the reason of the name of the place, which was afterwards celebrated, Allon-bachuth, the oak of mourning. It has been supposed, that Rebekah was now dead, and that Deborah had joined herself to Jacob's family, where there were several of her countrywomen. The prince of heathen poets gives us a beautiful account of the death, &c. of AEneas's nurse, AEneid. 7: Genesis 24:1. The frequent allusion... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Genesis 35:8

8. Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died—This event seems to have taken place before the solemnities were commenced. Deborah (Hebrew, a "bee"), supposing her to have been fifty years on coming to Canaan, had attained the great age of a hundred eighty. When she was removed from Isaac's household to Jacob's, is unknown. But it probably was on his return from Mesopotamia; and she would have been of invaluable service to his young family. Old nurses, like her, were not only honored, but loved as mothers;... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 35:1-8

Jacob’s renewed consecration to Yahweh 35:1-8About 10 years had passed since Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, and he had not yet returned to Bethel to fulfill his vow there (Genesis 28:20-22). He should have headed there immediately rather than settling near Shechem. His negligence evidently was due in part to the continuing presence of the idols that Rachel and probably others had brought from Haran. Perhaps their allegiance to these gods restrained Jacob’s total commitment to Yahweh (cf.... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:1-29

Jacob journeys by way of Bethel to Hebron. Death of Rachel and of Isaac1. Jacob is commanded to go to Bethel and fulfil the vow he had once made there (Genesis 28:20, Genesis 28:22).2. Strange gods] Perhaps the idols of some of Jacob’s people who had come with him from Haran, such as the teraphim which Rachel carried off (Genesis 31:19). Be clean, and change your garments] rites symbolising purification from idolatry. 4. Earrings] worn superstitiously as charms, and often inscribed with magical... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 35:1-29

THE TÔLDÔTH ISAAC (Genesis 25:19 to Genesis 35:29). THE BIRTH OF ISAAC’S SONS.Abraham begat Isaac—The Tôldôth in its original form gave probably a complete genealogy of Isaac, tracing up his descent to Shem, and showing thereby that the right of primogeniture belonged to him; but the inspired historian uses only so much of this as is necessary for tracing the development of the Divine plan of human redemption.The Syrian.—Really, the Aramean, or descendant of Aram. (See Genesis 10:22-23.) The... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 35:8

(8) Deborah.—As she was at Hebron with Rebekah when Jacob journeyed to Haran, he must have somehow gone thither before this, have seen his father, and told him of his fortunes. Apparently Rebekah was then dead, and Jacob brought back Deborah with him. (See Note on Genesis 33:18.) How dear she was to them is shown by their calling the tree under which she was buried the oak of weeping. This oak was “beneath Beth-el,” that is, in the valley below it. Deborah must have died at a great age, for she... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 35:1-29

Genesis 35:2 St. John of the Cross says: 'When the patriarch Jacob wished to go up to the Mount of Bethel in order to build there an altar to God on which he should offer sacrifice, he first gave three commands to his household.' He applies these three commands to the spiritual life of the Christian. The strange gods are the 'outside affections and attachments'. 'Use clean means to get rid of the worldly appetites still left in the soul.' And the third thing we must have in order to reach the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:1-29

JACOB’S RETURNGenesis 35:1-29"As for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way."- Genesis 48:7The words of the Wrestler at the brook Jabbok, "Let me go, for the day breaketh," express the truth that spiritual things will not submit themselves to sensible tests. When we seek to let the full daylight, by which we discern other objects, stream upon them, they elude our grasp. When we fancy we are on the verge of having our doubts for ever scattered, and our... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 35:1-29

CHAPTER 35 Jacob at Bethel and Three Deaths 1. The divine commandment (Genesis 35:1 ) 2. The defilement put away (Genesis 35:2-4 ) 3. The journey to Bethel and the altar (Genesis 35:5-7 ) 4. Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, dies (Genesis 35:8 ) 5. God appears to Jacob (Genesis 35:9-15 ) 6. Benoni-Benjamin and Rachel’s death (Genesis 35:16-20 ) 7. The twelve sons of Jacob (Genesis 35:21-26 ) 8. Isaac’s death (Genesis 35:27-29 ) The Lord did not leave Jacob in Shechem amidst the evil... read more

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