Genesis 35:14 - Exposition

And Jacob set up a pillar —the former pillar ( Genesis 28:18 ) having probably fallen down and disappeared— in the place where he (God) talked with him (to commemorate the interview), even a pillar of stone . The setting up of pillars, according to Tuch a peculiarity of the Elohist, appears to have been a favorite practice of Jacob's: witness the first pillar at Bethel ( Genesis 28:18 ), the pillar on Galeed ( Genesis 31:45 ), the second pillar at Bethel ( Genesis 35:14 ), the pillar over Rachel's grave ( Genesis 35:20 ). And he poured a drink offering thereon . This is the first mention of those sacrificial libations which afterwards became so prominent in connection with the Mosaic ritual ( Exodus 29:40 , Exodus 29:41 ; Le Exodus 23:13 , Exodus 23:18 , 37; Numbers 6:15 ; and elsewhere). Under the law the נֶסֶךְ —σπονδεῖον σπονδή ( LXX .) libamentum, libamen (Vulgate); frankopfer (Luther)—consisted of a fourth part of a hin of wine, which was equal to about a third of a gallon. And he poured oil thereon— as he did on the previous occasion ( Genesis 28:18 , q . v .).