Genesis study chapter

Genesis 35

c. 1700-1600 BCGod renews His covenant with Jacob, and Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin.

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Key Verses: Genesis 35:1-3, 35:10-12, 35:18-19

God tells Jacob to arise, go to Bethel, and make an altar to the God who appeared when fleeing from Esau. Jacob tells his household and all with him to put away foreign gods, purify themselves, and change garments. “Let us arise and go to Bethel, so I may make an altar to the God who answered me in my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.” They give Jacob all the foreign gods and earrings. He buries them under the terebinth at Shechem. They journey on. A terror from God falls on surrounding cities, so they don’t pursue Jacob’s sons. Jacob and all his people come to Luz (Bethel) in Canaan. He builds an altar, calling the place El-bethel (“God of Bethel”), because there God revealed Himself when fleeing his brother. Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, dies and is buried below Bethel under an oak (called Allon-bacuth, “oak of weeping”). God appears to Jacob again when he comes from Paddan-aram, blessing him. God says, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel.” God identifies Himself as God Almighty, commanding Jacob to be fruitful and multiply-a nation and company of nations shall come from him, kings from his own body. The land given to Abraham and Isaac, God will give to Jacob and his offspring. God goes up from him at the place where He spoke. Jacob sets up a stone pillar, pours a drink offering and oil on it. He calls the place where God spoke to him Bethel. They journey from Bethel. When still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel goes into labor-hard labor. The midwife says, “Don’t fear, for now you have another son.” As her soul is departing (she’s dying), she names him Ben-oni (“son of my sorrow”). But his father calls him Benjamin (“son of my right hand”). Rachel dies and is buried on the way to Ephrath (Bethlehem). Jacob sets up a pillar at her grave. They journey on. Reuben goes and lies with Bilhah, his father’s concubine, and Israel hears of it. The chapter concludes by listing Jacob’s twelve sons by their mothers: Leah (Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun), Rachel (Joseph, Benjamin), Bilhah (Dan, Naphtali), Zilpah (Gad, Asher). Jacob comes to Isaac at Mamre in Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned. Isaac lives 180 years, dying old and full of days. Esau and Jacob bury him.

This chapter marks spiritual renewal and covenant reaffirmation. God’s command to return to Bethel fulfills His earlier promise (28:15) and requires spiritual cleansing-putting away foreign gods (likely including the teraphim Rachel stole in 31:19). This is the Bible’s first recorded revival-repentance, cleansing, and renewed worship. The “terror from God” protects them from retaliation after Shechem. God reaffirms Jacob’s new name (Israel) and renews the Abrahamic covenant. Rachel’s death giving birth to Benjamin is tragic-she finally has the second son she longed for but doesn’t survive. Her dying words, “Ben-oni” (son of my sorrow), reveal her anguish. Jacob renames him Benjamin (son of my right hand), giving positive meaning. Rachel is buried on the road to Bethlehem-her tomb later becomes significant (1 Samuel 10:2; Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:18). Reuben’s sin with Bilhah costs him his birthright (49:3-4). Isaac’s death at 180 shows Jacob has returned before his father’s death (as God promised). Esau and Jacob’s joint burial of Isaac parallels Isaac and Ishmael burying Abraham-reconciliation at a father’s death.

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Discussion Questions:

  1. What does God’s command for Jacob’s household to “put away the foreign gods” (35:2) teach about spiritual renewal and the necessity of removing idols before true worship?
  2. How does God’s reaffirmation of Jacob’s new name and renewal of the covenant (35:10-12) encourage us about God’s faithfulness to His promises despite our failings?
  3. What is the significance of Rachel’s burial on the road to Bethlehem, especially in light of later Scripture (Matthew 2:18) connecting her to Messiah’s birth?