There Jacob built an altar, and he called that place El-bethel, because it was there that God had revealed Himself to Jacob as he fled from his brother. There Jacob built an altarThe act of building an altar is significant in the Hebrew tradition, symbolizing a place of worship, sacrifice, and remembrance. The Hebrew word for altar, "mizbeach," is derived from the root "zabach," meaning to sacrifice. This act by Jacob signifies a moment of consecration and dedication to God, acknowledging His presence and faithfulness. Altars in the ancient Near East were often constructed at significant locations where divine encounters occurred, serving as tangible reminders of God's intervention and promises. and he called the place El-bethel
The name "El-bethel" translates to "God of Bethel." In Hebrew, "El" means God, and "Bethel" means "house of God." This naming reflects Jacob's recognition of the divine encounter he experienced at this location. Bethel was already a significant place for Jacob, as it was where he had his dream of the ladder reaching to heaven (Genesis 28:10-19). By naming it El-bethel, Jacob acknowledges God's continued presence and revelation in his life, reinforcing the sacredness of the site. because it was there that God had revealed Himself to him
The phrase highlights the personal and transformative nature of Jacob's encounter with God. The Hebrew word for "revealed," "niglah," implies a divine unveiling or manifestation. This revelation is a pivotal moment in Jacob's spiritual journey, marking a deepening of his relationship with God. It underscores the theme of God's faithfulness and guidance, as He reveals Himself to Jacob during times of need and transition. when he was fleeing from his brother
This reference to Jacob fleeing from Esau provides historical and emotional context to the narrative. It recalls the earlier events in Genesis 27-28, where Jacob, fearing for his life after deceiving Esau, leaves his home. This period of fear and uncertainty is transformed by God's revelation, offering Jacob assurance and hope. It serves as a reminder of God's providence and protection, even in times of distress and danger. The mention of this flight emphasizes the transformative power of divine encounters, turning moments of fear into opportunities for faith and trust in God's promises. Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe patriarch who built the altar at El-bethel. He is a central figure in Genesis, known for his journey of faith and transformation. 2. El-bethelThe name Jacob gave to the place where he built the altar. "El-bethel" means "God of Bethel," signifying the divine encounter Jacob had at this location. 3. GodThe divine being who revealed Himself to Jacob, affirming His covenant and presence in Jacob's life. 4. BethelA significant location in Jacob's life, previously named Luz, where he had a vision of a ladder reaching to heaven (Genesis 28). 5. EsauJacob's brother, from whom Jacob was fleeing when he first encountered God at Bethel. Teaching Points The Importance of RemembranceJacob's act of building an altar serves as a physical reminder of God's faithfulness and presence. In our lives, we should establish practices that help us remember God's work and promises. Encountering God in Times of DistressJust as God revealed Himself to Jacob during a time of fear and uncertainty, we can trust that God is present in our own times of distress, offering guidance and reassurance. The Significance of NamesNaming the place "El-bethel" reflects Jacob's recognition of God's presence and sovereignty. We should be mindful of how we acknowledge God's role in our lives. Returning to Sacred PlacesJacob's return to Bethel signifies the importance of revisiting places or moments where we have experienced God's presence, to renew our faith and commitment. Building Altars in Our LivesWhile we may not build physical altars, we can create spiritual markers through prayer, worship, and testimony, to honor God's work in our lives. Bible Study Questions 1. What significance does the act of building an altar hold in your personal spiritual journey, and how can you create "altars" in your life today? 2. How does Jacob's experience at Bethel encourage you to seek God's presence during challenging times? 3. In what ways can you ensure that you remember and honor the moments when God has revealed Himself to you? 4. How does the concept of naming places or events in your life help you recognize God's sovereignty and presence? 5. What are some "sacred places" or moments in your life that you can revisit to strengthen your faith and commitment to God? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 28This chapter describes Jacob's initial encounter with God at Bethel, where he dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven and receives God's promises. Genesis 31God instructs Jacob to return to Bethel, highlighting the importance of this place in Jacob's spiritual journey. Exodus 3Similar to Jacob's encounter, Moses experiences a divine revelation at the burning bush, marking a pivotal moment in his life. 1 Samuel 7Samuel sets up a stone called Ebenezer, signifying God's help, paralleling Jacob's act of building an altar to commemorate divine encounters. 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 Altar, Appeared, Beth, Bethel, Brother, Buildeth, Built, El, Elbethel, El-bethel, El-beth-el, Erected, Face, Fled, Fleeing, Flight, Naming, Proclaimeth, Revealed, VisionDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 35:7 5319 fugitives
7302 altar Genesis 35:6-7 7212 exile Genesis 35:7-10 5044 names, giving of 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 35:7 NIVGenesis 35:7 NLTGenesis 35:7 ESVGenesis 35:7 NASBGenesis 35:7 KJV
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