Genesis 35:20 NIV

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 35:20

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:20

Jacob set a pillar upon her grave - Was not this the origin of funeral monuments? In ancient times, and among rude nations, a heap of stones designated the burial place of the chief; many of these still remain in different countries. Afterwards a rude stone, with a simple inscription, was used, containing only the name of the deceased, and that of his father. But where arts and sciences flourished, superb monuments were erected highly decorated, and pompously inscribed. It is very likely... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 35:20

And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave ( vide on Genesis 35:14 ): that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day i.e. unto the times of Moses; but the site of Rachel's sepulcher was known so late as the age of Samuel ( 1 Samuel 10:2 ); and there seems no reason to question the tradition which from the fourth century has placed it within the Turkish chapel Kubbet Rachil, about half-an-hour's journey north of Bethlehem. 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 35:20

Genesis 35:20. Jacob set a pillar upon her grave As a monument, or memorial of her life and death, and as a testimony of her future resurrection. That is the pillar of Rachel’s grave unto this day Unto the time when Moses wrote this book. But it was known to be Rachel’s sepulchre long after, 1 Samuel 10:2, and Providence so ordered it that this place afterward fell into the lot of Benjamin. Jacob set up a pillar in remembrance of his joys, (Genesis 35:14,) and here he sets up one in... 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 35:20

grave. Hebrew. keber, first Occurance. Genesis 23:4 . = A sepulchre, from kabar to bury. Not sheol, which = THE grave. Compare App-35 . unto this day. Wellknown in the days of Samuel. See 1 Samuel 10:2 . 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