Jacob called the place where God had spoken with him Bethel. Jacob called the placeThe act of naming a place in biblical times was significant, often marking a divine encounter or a pivotal event. The Hebrew root for "called" is קָרָא (qara), which implies a proclamation or declaration. This act by Jacob signifies his acknowledgment of the sacredness of the location. In the ancient Near Eastern context, naming a place was a way to establish a lasting memory and a testament to God's presence and action in one's life. where God had spoken with him
This phrase underscores the personal and direct communication between God and Jacob. The Hebrew word for "spoken" is דִּבֶּר (diber), which conveys the idea of a conversation or dialogue. This interaction highlights the intimate relationship between God and His chosen people. Historically, such divine encounters were rare and deeply revered, often leading to the establishment of altars or memorials. The phrase also emphasizes the continuity of God's promises to Jacob, as He had spoken to him previously at Bethel (Genesis 28:13-15). Bethel
The name "Bethel" means "House of God" in Hebrew, derived from בֵּית (beth, meaning "house") and אֵל (El, meaning "God"). This location holds significant historical and spiritual importance, as it was the site where Jacob first encountered God in a dream, seeing a ladder reaching to heaven (Genesis 28:10-19). By renaming the place Bethel, Jacob reaffirms its sanctity and the divine promise associated with it. Archaeologically, Bethel is identified with the modern-day site of Beitin, located north of Jerusalem. This place became a central location for worship and remembrance for the Israelites, symbolizing God's faithfulness and the covenant relationship with His people. Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe patriarch who is central to this passage. He is the grandson of Abraham and the son of Isaac. Jacob is a key figure in the history of Israel, and his life is marked by encounters with God that shape his destiny and the destiny of his descendants. 2. BethelA significant location in Jacob's life and in the history of Israel. The name means "House of God" in Hebrew. It is the place where Jacob had a vision of a ladder reaching to heaven and where God reaffirmed His covenant with him. 3. God's RevelationThe event where God speaks to Jacob, reaffirming His promises and covenant. This divine encounter is a pivotal moment in Jacob's spiritual journey and in the account of Genesis. Teaching Points The Significance of Sacred PlacesBethel serves as a reminder of the importance of sacred spaces in our spiritual lives. These are places where we encounter God and receive His guidance and promises. God's Faithfulness to His PromisesJust as God reaffirmed His covenant with Jacob at Bethel, He remains faithful to His promises to us. We can trust in His unchanging nature and His commitment to fulfill His word. The Importance of RemembranceNaming the place Bethel signifies the importance of remembering and marking significant spiritual experiences. We should cultivate practices that help us remember God's work in our lives. Responding to God's RevelationJacob's response to God's revelation at Bethel challenges us to respond to God's voice with obedience and faith. We should be attentive to His guidance and ready to act on His instructions. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the name "Bethel" signify, and why is it important in Jacob's life and in the broader biblical account? 2. How does Jacob's experience at Bethel in Genesis 35:15 connect to his earlier encounter in Genesis 28:10-19, and what does this teach us about God's faithfulness? 3. In what ways can we create "Bethels" in our own lives—places or practices that help us remember and honor God's work and promises? 4. How does the reaffirmation of God's promises to Jacob at Bethel encourage us in our own spiritual journeys, especially during times of uncertainty or transition? 5. Reflect on a time when you felt God speaking to you or guiding you. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Jacob's response at Bethel to apply to your own life? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 28:10-19This passage describes Jacob's first encounter with God at Bethel, where he dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven and receives God's promises. It establishes Bethel as a place of divine revelation and covenant. Genesis 31:13God reminds Jacob of his vow at Bethel, urging him to return. This connection highlights the importance of Bethel as a place of commitment and fulfillment of vows. Hosea 12:4-5This passage references Jacob's encounters with God, emphasizing his struggle and the significance of Bethel in his spiritual journey. 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 Bethel, Beth-el, Calleth, Jacob, Named, Spake, Spoke, Spoken, Talked, TalkingDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 35:9-15 5095 Jacob, life Genesis 35:14-15 4366 stones
5443 pillars 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 35:15 NIVGenesis 35:15 NLTGenesis 35:15 ESVGenesis 35:15 NASBGenesis 35:15 KJV
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