Then God went up from the place where He had spoken with him. Then GodThe phrase "Then God" signifies a divine intervention and presence. In Hebrew, "God" is "Elohim," a plural form that denotes majesty and power. This name for God emphasizes His sovereignty and authority over all creation. The use of "Then" indicates a continuation of a divine encounter, suggesting that Jacob's experience with God is part of a larger narrative of God's ongoing relationship with His chosen people. went up
The phrase "went up" is significant in the Hebrew context, often used to describe a divine departure or ascension. It implies that God's presence, which had been manifest in a particular, tangible way, is now returning to the heavenly realm. This movement underscores the transcendence of God, who is not bound by earthly limitations, yet chooses to engage intimately with humanity. from him
The phrase "from him" indicates a personal encounter between God and Jacob. It highlights the individual nature of God's relationship with His people. This personal interaction is a recurring theme in the Bible, where God engages with individuals to fulfill His covenant promises. It reminds believers of the personal nature of their relationship with God, who knows and calls them by name. at the place
"At the place" refers to a specific location that holds spiritual significance. In the context of Genesis 35, this place is Bethel, which means "House of God" in Hebrew. Bethel is a site of previous divine encounters for Jacob, marking it as a sacred space where heaven and earth meet. This emphasizes the importance of sacred spaces in the biblical narrative, where God reveals Himself and His purposes. where He had spoken with him
This phrase underscores the communication between God and Jacob. The act of speaking indicates a two-way relationship, where God reveals His will and Jacob responds. In Hebrew, the word for "spoken" is "dabar," which can also mean "to declare" or "to promise." This highlights the authoritative and covenantal nature of God's words. It serves as a reminder of the power and reliability of God's promises, which are central to the faith journey of believers. Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe central figure in this verse, God is the one who communicates with Jacob, reaffirming His covenant and promises. 2. JacobThe patriarch who receives God's revelation and blessing. He is a key figure in the lineage of Israel. 3. BethelThe place where God speaks to Jacob. Bethel, meaning "House of God" in Hebrew, is significant as a place of divine encounter and revelation. 4. Divine EncounterThe event where God speaks to Jacob, reinforcing His promises and covenant. Teaching Points God's FaithfulnessGod consistently reaffirms His promises to His people. Just as He spoke to Jacob, He continues to speak to us through His Word and Spirit. Significance of PlaceBethel serves as a reminder that certain places and moments in our lives are set apart for divine encounters. We should seek and cherish these sacred moments. Response to Divine EncountersJacob's response to God's presence was worship and obedience. We are called to respond similarly when we experience God's presence in our lives. God's TimingGod's departure after speaking to Jacob signifies that divine encounters are often brief but impactful. We should be attentive and ready to act on God's instructions. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jacob's experience at Bethel in Genesis 35:13 compare to his first encounter with God in Genesis 28:10-22, and what does this teach us about God's consistency? 2. In what ways can we create "Bethel" moments in our own lives where we are open to hearing from God? 3. How does the concept of divine encounters in the Old Testament relate to the presence of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure we respond appropriately to God's guidance and presence in our lives? 5. How can we apply the lessons from Jacob's encounter with God to our understanding of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 28:10-22This passage describes Jacob's first encounter with God at Bethel, where he dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven and receives God's promises. This earlier event sets the stage for the reaffirmation in Genesis 35:13. Exodus 3:1-6Similar to Jacob's encounter, Moses experiences a divine encounter at the burning bush, highlighting the theme of God revealing Himself at specific places and times. Matthew 28:16-20The Great Commission, where Jesus speaks to His disciples before ascending to heaven, parallels God's communication and subsequent departure in Genesis 35:13. 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 Spake, Spoke, Spoken, Talked, TalkingDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 35:9-13 7135 Israel, people of God Genesis 35:9-15 5095 Jacob, life 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 35:13 NIVGenesis 35:13 NLTGenesis 35:13 ESVGenesis 35:13 NASBGenesis 35:13 KJV
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