The birth of Benjamin, death of Rachel, and sin of Reuben 35:16-29Was Jacob disobedient to God when he left Bethel? God had told him to go to Bethel and "live there" (Genesis 35:1). This may have been a command to dwell there while he fulfilled his vow. On the other hand, God may have wanted Jacob to establish permanent residence there. This seems unlikely, however, since Jacob remained a semi-nomad. read more
C. What became of Isaac 25:19-35:29A new toledot begins with Genesis 25:19. Its theme is "the acquisition of the blessing and its development and protection by the Lord." [Note: Ross, Creation and . . ., p. 433.] Moses set up the whole Jacob narrative in a chiastic structure that emphasizes the fulfillment of the promise of the seed and the seed’s prosperity."A Oracle sought; Rebekah struggles in childbirth; bekorah birthright; birth; themes of strife, deception, fertility (Genesis 25:19-34).B... read more
This paragraph is important because it records the entrance of Jacob into his father’s inheritance. Jacob presumably visited Isaac in Hebron on various occasions following his return from Paddan-aram. However on this occasion he moved his family to his father’s encampment and evidently remained there as Isaac’s heir.Jacob had left Beersheba with only a staff in his hand. Now he returned with 12 sons, a large household, and much livestock. The most important aspect of God’s blessing was his 12... read more
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
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
(27) The city of Arbah, which is Hebron.—Better rendered Kirjath-arba in Genesis 23:2, where see Note. read more
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
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
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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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 35:27
Genesis 35:27. Came unto Isaac, &c.— Came to dwell with him, and comfort him in his old age; as it is hardly to be supposed, that this was the first visit he made him after his return from Laban. He continued with the good old man almost the space of thirteen, some say nineteen years, till he departed this life in a very advanced age, being a hundred and eighty years old, Gen 35:28 five years older than his father Abraham, having been almost blind and decrepit a considerable part of the... read more