Genesis 35:19-21

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 35:19

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 35:20

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

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 35:19

And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem —or House of Bread, about seven miles south of Jerusalem. It afterwards became the birthplace of David ( 1 Samuel 16:18 ) and of Christ ( Matthew 2:1 ). The assertion that this clause is a later interpolation (Lunge) is unfounded (Kalisch, Kurtz). 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

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