Genesis 35

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 35

Chapter 35 In this chapter we have three communions and three funerals. I. Three communions between God and Jacob. 1. God ordered Jacob to Beth-el; and, in obedience to that order, he purged his house of idols, and prepared for that journey, Gen. 35:1-5. 2. Jacob built an altar at Beth-el, to the honour of God that had appeared to him, and in performance of his vow, Gen. 35:6, 7. 3. God appeared to him again, and confirmed the change of his name and covenant with him (Gen. 35:9-13), of which... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 35:1-5

Here, I. God reminds Jacob of his vow at Beth-el, and sends him thither to perform it, Gen. 35:1. Jacob had said in the day of his distress, If I come again in peace, this stone shall be God's house, Gen. 28:22. God had performed his part of the bargain, and had given Jacob more than bread to eat and raiment to put on?he had got an estate, and had become two bands; but, it should seem, he had forgotten his vow, or at least had too long deferred the performance of it. Seven or eight years it... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 35:6-5

Jacob and his retinue having safely arrived at Beth-el, we are here told what passed there. I. There he built an altar (Gen. 35:7), and no doubt offered sacrifice upon it, perhaps the tenth of his cattle, according to his vow, I will give the tenth unto thee. With these sacrifices he joined praises for former mercies, particularly that which the sight of the place brought afresh to his remembrance; and he added prayers for the continuance of God's favour to him and his family. And he called... read more

Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

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

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 35 This chapter gives an account of Jacob's going to Bethel, and building an altar there by the order and direction of God, Genesis 35:1 , where Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died and was buried, Genesis 35:8 , and where God appeared to Jacob, confirmed the new name of Israel he had given him, and renewed to him the promises of the multiplication of his seed, and of their inheriting the land of Canaan, Genesis 35:9 ; all which is gratefully acknowledged by Jacob,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:1

And God said unto Jacob ,.... When he was in great distress, on account of the slaughter of the Shechemites by his sons, not knowing what step to take, or course to steer for the safety of him and his family; then God, for his comfort and direction, appeared and spoke to him, either in a dream or vision, or by an impulse on his mind, or by an articulate voice: perhaps this was the Son of God, the second Person, who might appear in an human form, as he often did; since he afterwards speaks of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:2

Then Jacob said unto his household ,.... His wives and children: and to all that were with him ; his menservants and maidservants, and such as remained with him of the captives of Shechem, who might choose to continue with him: put away the strange gods that are among you ; meaning not the teraphim or images of Laban's, which Rachel had stolen from him; for it can hardly be thought that these should be retained so many years in Jacob's family, and used in an idolatrous manner;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:3

And let us arise and go up to Bethel ,.... Thus prepared and purged, their tents clear of idols, their bodies washed with pure water, and their garments new, neat, and clean; all symbolical of inward purity, and of freedom from idolatry and evil works, as became those who go to the house of God, and are his worshippers, see Hebrews 10:22 . I will make there an altar unto God ; as he has directed, and sacrifice to him, and worship him, and give the tenth unto him, and so make it a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:4

They gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hands ,.... Whether in the hands of his servants or of the captives taken at Shechem, or in the hands of his sons, who had them along with the spoil they took there; so the Targum of Jonathan,"they delivered, into the hand of Jacob all the idols of the people which were in their hands, which they had took of the idols of Shechem:" and all their earrings which were in their ears ; not the earrings that women wore in... read more

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