Genesis 35:8-21

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:16

And they journeyed from Bethel ,.... Jacob and his family; how long they stayed there is not certain, some say four months F26 Shalshalet Hakabala, fol. 5. 1. ; hence they removed towards Bethlehem, which was twelve miles from Bethel F1 Bunting's Travels, p. 72. , in their way to Hebron: and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath ; or Bethlehem, as it was also called, Genesis 35:19 ; a mile off of it, according to the Targums of Onkelos and Jerusalem; or about a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:17

And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour ,.... In the midst of it, and at the worst: that the midwife said unto her, fear not ; for Rachel big with child, it was necessary to take a midwife with them in the journey; and perhaps this might be one that was always kept in the family, and had been assisting to all Jacob's wives and concubines at their labours; and this seems probable from what follows, since she not only bids her be of good courage, and not fear, comforting her under... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:18

And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, for she died ,.... In childbirth; she had most passionately desired children, without which she could not live with ease and peace of mind, and now she dies by having one; see Genesis 30:1 ; and by this account of her death it appears, that death is the separation and disunion of soul and body; that at death the soul departs from the body; that the soul does not die with it, but goes elsewhere, and lives in a separate state, and never... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:19

And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem . Hence called Bethlehem Ephratah, Micah 5:2 ; with great pertinency is Rachel represented as if risen from her grave, and weeping for her children, when the children of Bethlehem, and thereabout, were slain by Herod, she being buried so near that place, Matthew 2:16 ; at what age she died is not said. Polyhistor, out of Demetrius F4 Apnd Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 21. p. 424. , reports, that she... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:20

And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave ,.... A sepulchral monument erected in memory of her; this according to Benjamin of Tudela F5 ltinerar. p. 47. was made of twelve stones, according to the number of the sons of Jacob, and over it was a vault or roof, supported by four pillars: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day ; it continued to the times of Moses, the writer of this history, and to the times of Samuel, as appears from 1 Samuel 10:2 ; and even travellers of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:21

And Israel journeyed ,.... Having stayed near Bethlehem, as it is said, about two months F8 Shalshalet Hakabala, fol. 5. 2. ; this is the first time Jacob is by Moses called Israel, after this name, was given him; the reason of which the Jews say is, because he bore the death of Rachel with so much patience: and spread his tent beyond the tower of Eder ; which was a place of pasturage, and fit for his flocks, see Micah 4:8 ; it was about a mile from Bethlehem to the south F9 ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:8

But Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died - She was sent with Rebekah when taken by Abraham's servant to be wife to Isaac, Genesis 24:59 . How she came to be in Jacob's family, expositors are greatly puzzled to find out; but the text does not state that she was in Jacob's family. Her death is mentioned merely because Jacob and his family had now arrived at the place where she was buried, and the name of that place was called Allon-bachuth, "the oak of weeping," as it is likely her death had been... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:9

God appeared unto Jacob again - He appeared to him first at Shechem, when he commanded him to go to Bethel, and now that he is arrived at the place, God appears to him the second time, and confirms to him the Abrahamic blessing. To Isaac and Jacob these frequent appearances of God were necessary, but they were not so to Abraham; for to him one word was sufficient - Abraham believed God. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:13

And God went up from him - This was not a vision, nor a strong mental impression, but a real manifestation of God. Jacob saw and heard him speak, and before his eyes he went up - ascended to heaven. This was no doubt the future Savior, the Angel of the covenant. See Genesis 16:7 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:14

A drink-offering - נסך nesech , a libation. These were afterwards very common in all countries. At first they consisted probably of water only, afterwards wine was used; see on Leviticus 7:1 ; (note), etc. The pillar which Jacob set up was to commemorate the appearance of God to him; the drink-offering and the oil were intended to express his gratitude and devotion to his preserver. It was probably the same pillar which he had set up before, which had since been thrown down, and which... read more

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