And God told him, "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation--even a company of nations--shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you. And God said to himThis phrase indicates a direct communication from God to Jacob, emphasizing the personal relationship God maintains with His chosen people. The Hebrew word for "God" here is "Elohim," which signifies the majesty and power of God. This divine encounter underscores the continuity of God's covenant promises, as God speaks directly to Jacob, reaffirming His commitment and guidance. I am God Almighty
The term "God Almighty" is translated from the Hebrew "El Shaddai." This name for God conveys His ultimate power and sufficiency. Historically, "El Shaddai" is used in contexts where God is establishing or reaffirming His covenant, as seen with Abraham and Isaac. It reassures Jacob of God's omnipotence and His ability to fulfill His promises, regardless of human limitations. be fruitful and multiply
This command echoes the original blessing given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 1:28 and to Noah in Genesis 9:1. The Hebrew words "parah" (be fruitful) and "rabah" (multiply) suggest not only biological growth but also the expansion of God's people and influence. It signifies the continuation of God's plan for humanity through Jacob's lineage, emphasizing the importance of family and community in God's design. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you
The promise of a "nation" and a "company of nations" refers to the future tribes of Israel and the broader influence of Jacob's descendants. The Hebrew word for "nation" is "goy," which can mean a people or a nation. This prophecy points to the formation of Israel and the eventual inclusion of Gentiles into God's covenant community, highlighting the expansive reach of God's promise. and kings shall descend from you
This phrase foretells the royal lineage that will come from Jacob, including King David and ultimately Jesus Christ, the King of Kings. The Hebrew word "melek" (king) signifies leadership and authority. This promise not only assures Jacob of his descendants' future prominence but also foreshadows the Messianic line, reinforcing the theme of God's sovereign plan throughout history. Persons / Places / Events 1. God Almighty (El Shaddai)This is one of the names of God, emphasizing His power and sufficiency. It is a reminder of God's ability to fulfill His promises. 2. Jacob (Israel)The recipient of God's promise. Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, is a patriarch of the Israelites, and this moment is a reaffirmation of the covenant God made with Abraham and Isaac. 3. BethelThe place where God spoke to Jacob. Bethel means "House of God" and is significant as a place of divine encounter and revelation. 4. Nations and KingsThe promise of nations and kings coming from Jacob signifies the future tribes of Israel and the eventual establishment of a monarchy, pointing to the Davidic line and ultimately to Jesus Christ. 5. Covenant RenewalThis event is a renewal and continuation of the Abrahamic covenant, emphasizing God's faithfulness across generations. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and PowerRecognize that God is El Shaddai, the Almighty, who has the power to fulfill His promises regardless of human circumstances. Faithfulness Across GenerationsTrust in God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, which are not limited by time or human failure. Fruitfulness in God's PlanUnderstand that being fruitful and multiplying is not just about physical descendants but also about spiritual fruitfulness and expanding God's kingdom. Identity and PurposeEmbrace your identity in Christ and your role in God's redemptive plan, just as Jacob was called to be the father of nations. Legacy of FaithConsider the legacy you are leaving for future generations and how you can contribute to God's ongoing work in the world. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the name "God Almighty" (El Shaddai) influence your understanding of God's character and His promises to you? 2. In what ways can you see the fulfillment of God's promise to Jacob in the history of Israel and the coming of Jesus Christ? 3. How can you apply the principle of being "fruitful and multiply" in your spiritual life and community involvement today? 4. What steps can you take to ensure that you are leaving a legacy of faith for future generations? 5. How does understanding your identity in Christ as part of God's covenant people impact your daily life and decisions? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 17:1-6God's covenant with Abraham, where He also introduces Himself as God Almighty and promises that nations and kings will come from Abraham. Genesis 28:3-4Isaac's blessing to Jacob, which includes the promise of becoming a great assembly of peoples. Exodus 1:7The fulfillment of the promise as the Israelites multiply greatly in Egypt. 2 Samuel 7:12-16God's promise to David about his offspring and the establishment of his kingdom, connecting to the promise of kings descending from Jacob. Matthew 1:1-17The genealogy of Jesus Christ, tracing His lineage back to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, fulfilling the promise of nations and kings. People Allon, Aram, Arba, Asher, Benjamin, Benoni, Bilhah, Dan, Deborah, Eder, Ephrath, Esau, Gad, Isaac, Issachar, Jacob, Joseph, Leah, Levi, Mamre, Naphtali, Rachel, Rebekah, Reuben, Simeon, Zebulun, ZilpahPlaces Allon-bacuth, Bethel, Bethlehem, Canaan, Eder, El-bethel, Ephrath, Hebron, Kiriath-arba, Luz, Mamre, Paddan-aram, ShechemTopics Almighty, Assembly, Body, Community, Company, Fertile, Forth, Fruitful, Group, Increase, Kings, Loins, Multiply, Multitude, Nation, Nations, Offspring, Ruler, Spring, TrulyDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 35:11 1105 God, power of
1335 blessing
5136 body
7206 community
8257 fruitfulness, natural Genesis 35:9-13 7135 Israel, people of God Genesis 35:9-15 5095 Jacob, life Genesis 35:11-12 5096 Jacob, patriarch
5503 rich, the
7258 promised land, early history Library February the Eighth Revisiting Old Altars
"I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress." --GENESIS xxxv. 1-7. It is a blessed thing to revisit our early altars. It is good to return to the haunts of early vision. Places and things have their sanctifying influences, and can recall us to lost experiences. I know a man to whom the scent of a white, wild rose is always a call to prayer. I know another to whom Grasmere is always the window of holy vision. Sometimes a particular pew in a particular church …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling YearOur Last ChapterConcluded with the Words, "For Childhood and Youth are Vanity"...
Our last chapter concluded with the words, "For childhood and youth are vanity": that is, childhood proves the emptiness of all "beneath the sun," as well as old age. The heart of the child has the same needs--the same capacity in kind--as that of the aged. It needs God. Unless it knows Him, and His love is there, it is empty; and, in its fleeting character, childhood proves its vanity. But this makes us quite sure that if childhood can feel the need, then God has, in His wide grace, met the …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs The Death of Abraham
'Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.'--GENESIS xxv. 8. 'Full of years' does not seem to me to be a mere synonym for longevity. That would be an intolerable tautology, for we should then have the same thing said three times over--'an old man,' 'in a good old age,' 'full of years.' There must be some other idea than that in the words. If you notice that the expression is by no means a usual one, that it is only …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Trials and visions of Devout Youth
'And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The National Oath at Shechem
'And Joshua said unto the people. Ye cannot serve the Lord: for He is an holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that He hath done you good. 21. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. 22. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves, that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve Him. And they said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God The Birth of Jesus.
(at Bethlehem of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke II. 1-7. ^c 1 Now it came to pass in those days [the days of the birth of John the Baptist], there went out a decree [a law] from Cæsar Augustus [Octavius, or Augustus, Cæsar was the nephew of and successor to Julius Cæsar. He took the name Augustus in compliment to his own greatness; and our month August is named for him; its old name being Sextilis], that all the world should be enrolled. [This enrollment or census was the first step …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 35:11 NIVGenesis 35:11 NLTGenesis 35:11 ESVGenesis 35:11 NASBGenesis 35:11 KJV
Genesis 35:11 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
