Genesis 35:3 NIV

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 35:1-7

JACOB RECALLED TO BETHEL"And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, who appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother. Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the foreign gods that are among you, and purify yourselves, and change your garments: 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... 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 35:3

(3) Who answered me . . . —The narrative of Jacob’s life, and the detail of God’s providential care of him, would doubtless affect strongly the minds of his followers, and make them ready to abandon their idols, “and worship the God that was Israel’s God” (Genesis 33:20). 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

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:1-29

BETHEL AT LAST Jacob knew he could not remain at Shechem, though it took a humiliating experience in his own house to drive him away from there. God speaks to him in no uncertain terms. He is to arise and go to Bethel to dwell, and to make an altar there to the living God who had appeared to him before at that place when he was fleeing from Esau. Had he not found out by now that in his seeking the blessing of his own house he had only incurred trouble and sorrow? It is time therefore that he... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:1-29

JACOB ’S CHILDREN , ESAU ’S MEMOIRS THE WICKEDNESS OF JACOB’S SONS (Genesis 34:0 ) In the last lesson Jacob’s altar at Shechem proclaims God to be his God, but (as another says) it is evident he has not gotten the power of this name for he is walking in his own ways still, as his house at Succoth and his purchase at Shechem testify. So new sorrow and discipline must come. Dinah represents the young women of today who want to see the world and have their fling. Her conduct was indiscreet,... read more