Biblical Context:
The account of Jacob purifying his household is found in Genesis 35:1-4. This event occurs after Jacob's return to the land of Canaan, following his sojourn with Laban and his reconciliation with Esau. It is a pivotal moment in Jacob's spiritual journey and the religious life of his family.

Narrative Summary:
God instructs Jacob to go to Bethel and settle there, commanding him to build an altar to God, who appeared to him when he fled from Esau. In response, Jacob takes decisive action to purify his household from idolatry and prepare them for worship.

Scriptural Account (Genesis 35:1-4):
"Then God said to Jacob, 'Arise, go up to Bethel and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.' So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, 'Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.' So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem."

Theological Significance:
1. Call to Holiness: Jacob's actions underscore the necessity of holiness and purity in worship. By removing foreign gods and purifying themselves, Jacob's household demonstrates a commitment to exclusive devotion to Yahweh. This act of purification is a physical manifestation of an inward spiritual renewal.

2. Renunciation of Idolatry: The removal of foreign gods signifies a rejection of idolatry and a return to the worship of the one true God. This is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where the Israelites are repeatedly called to forsake idols and serve Yahweh alone.

3. Symbolism of Garments: Changing garments symbolizes a new beginning and a transformation of identity. In biblical literature, clothing often represents one's status or condition before God. By changing their garments, Jacob's household signifies a readiness to enter into a renewed covenant relationship with God.

4. Burial of Idols: The act of burying the foreign gods and earrings under the oak near Shechem is symbolic of a definitive break with past practices. It represents a burial of the old life and a commitment to a new path in obedience to God.

5. Covenant Renewal: This event marks a renewal of the covenant relationship between God and Jacob's family. By building an altar at Bethel, Jacob acknowledges God's faithfulness and reaffirms his family's dedication to serving Him.

Historical and Cultural Context:
In the ancient Near Eastern context, household gods, or teraphim, were common. They were often associated with protection, fertility, and household prosperity. Jacob's command to rid the household of these idols reflects a counter-cultural stance, emphasizing the distinctiveness of Israel's worship of Yahweh.

Application for Believers:
The purification of Jacob's household serves as a timeless reminder for believers to examine their own lives for anything that might detract from wholehearted devotion to God. It calls for a continual process of sanctification, where believers are encouraged to cast aside anything that hinders their relationship with God and to pursue holiness in their daily walk.