Genesis 35:16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 35:16-20

We have here the story of the death of Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob. 1. She fell in travail by the way, not able to reach to Bethlehem, the next town, though they were near it; so suddenly does pain sometimes come upon a woman in travail, which she cannot escape, or put off. We may suppose Jacob had soon a tent up, convenient enough for her reception. 2. Her pains were violent. She had hard labour, harder than usual: this was the effect of sin, Gen. 3:16. Note, Human life begins with... read more

John Gill

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:16

There was but a little way to come to Ephrath - The word כברת kibrath , translated here a little way, has greatly perplexed commentators. It occurs only here, in Genesis 48:7 , and 2 Kings 5:19 ; and it seems to have been some sort of measure applied to land, as we say a mile, an acre, a rood, a perch; but what the exact quantity of the kibrath was cannot be ascertained. Ephrath, called also Bethlehem, and Bethlehem Ephrata, was the birthplace of our blessed Redeemer. See its... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:16

Verse 16 16.And they journeyed from Beth-el. We have seen how severe a wound the defilement of his daughter inflicted on holy Jacob, and with what terror the cruel deed of his two sons had inspired him. Various trials are now blended together, by which he is heavily afflicted throughout his old age; until, on his departure into Egypt, he receives new joy at the sight of his son Joseph. But even this was a most grievous temptation, to be exiled from the promised land even to his death. The death... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 35:16

EXPOSITION And they journeyed —not in opposition to the Divine commandment ( Genesis 35:1 ), which did not enjoin a permanent settlement at Bethel, but in accordance probably with his own desire, if not also Heaven's counsel, to proceed to Mamre to visit Isaac— from Bethel (southwards in the direction of Hebron); and there was but a little way (literally, there was yet a space of land; probably a few furlongs (Murphy), about four English miles (Gerlach). The Vulgate translates,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 35:16-29

These family records mingle well with the story of God's grace. The mothers " Ben-oni " is the father's " Benjamin ." Out of the pain and the bereavement sometimes comes the consolation. A strange blending of joy and sorrow is the tale of human love. But there is a higher love which may draw out the pure stream of peace and calm delight from that impure fountain. Jacob and Esau were separated in their lives, but they met at their father's grave. Death is a terrible divider, but a... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 35:1-29

- The Death of Isaac8. דברה deborâh, Deborah, “bee.” בּכוּת אלּון 'alôn-bākût, Allon-bakuth, “oak of weeping.”16. כברה kı̂brâh, “length stretch.” A certain but unknown distance, a stadium or furlong (Josephus) a hippodrome (Septuagint) which was somewhat longer, a mile (Kimchi). אפרת 'ephrâth, Ephrath, “fruitful or ashy.”18. בן־אוני ben-'ônı̂y, Ben-oni, “son of my pain.” בנימין bı̂nyāmı̂yn, Binjamin, “son of the right hand.”19. לחם בית bēyt-lechem, Beth-lechem, “house of bread.”21. עדר... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:16-29

Further details of Jacob’s family (35:16-29)This section of the history of Israel closes by recording the birth of Jacob’s last son (16-18), the death of Rachel (19-21), the sin of Reuben because of which he lost the birthright (22; cf. 49:4; 1 Chronicles 5:1), the names of Jacob’s twelve sons, who are listed in legal order according to their mothers (23-26), and the death of Isaac (27-29). read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 35:16

Ephrath. Hebrew fertility. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 35:16-20

"And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was still some distance to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labor. And it came to pass that when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not, for thou shalt have another son. And it came to pass, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath (the same is Bethlehem). And Jacob set up a pillar... read more

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