Genesis 35:21 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 35:21-29

Here is, 1. Jacob's removal, Gen. 35:21. He also, as his fathers, sojourned in the land of promise as in a strange country, and was not long in a place. Immediately after the story of Rachel's death he is here called Israel (Gen. 35:21, 22), and not often so afterwards: the Jews say, ?The historian does him this honour here because he bore that affliction with such admirable patience and submission to Providence.? Note, Those are Israels indeed, princes with God, that support the government 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 35:21

Tower of Edar - Literally, the tower of the flock, and so translated Micah 4:8 . It is supposed that this tower was about a mile from Bethlehem, and to have been the place where the angels appeared to the shepherds. The Targum of Jonathan expressly says: "It is the place in which the King Messiah shall be manifested in the end of days." By the tower of the flock we may understand a place built by the shepherds near to some well, for the convenience of watering their flocks, and keeping... 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 35:21

And Israel (or Jacob) journeyed (from Ephrath, after the funeral of Rachel), and spread — i.e. unfolded ( Genesis 12:8 ; Genesis 26:25 )— his tent beyond the tower of Edar —literally, to, i.e. not trans (Vulgate), ultra (Dathe), but ad, usque (Rosenmüller), as far as Migdol Edar, the Tower of the Flock—probably a turret, or watch-tower, erected for the convenience of shepherds in guarding their flocks ( 2 Kings 18:8 ; 2 Chronicles 26:10 ; 2 Chronicles 27:4 ),—the... 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 35:21

Genesis 35:21. Israel journeyed, and spread his tent Though a prince with God, yet he dwells in tents; the city is reserved for him in the other world. 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

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 35:21

REUBEN FORFEITS HIS BIRTHRIGHT"And Israel journeyed and spread his tent beyond the tower of Eder. And it came to pass while Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard of it."This blunt note of Reuben's conduct seems to have been introduced here in anticipation of Reuben's loss of birthright (Genesis 49:4). It is amazing that none of the details about Jacob's reaction to this crime, nor any other consequence of it, is cited here. His... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 35:21

Genesis 35:21. The tower of Edar— i.e.. Of the flock. It appears from Mic 4:8 that there was a tower of that name near Jerusalem. Some say, that it was a thousand paces from Bethlehem, and was at the place where the angels brought the news of the birth of Christ to the shepherds. read more