King James Version

What Does Genesis 35:1 Mean?

Genesis 35:1 in the King James Version says “And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto t... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.

Genesis 35:1 · KJV


Context

1

And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.

2

Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:

3

And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Beth-el, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God,... This passage belongs to the Jacob narratives which demonstrate God's sovereign election overriding human merit and the transformation of a deceiver into Israel, the father of the twelve tribes. The Jacob cycle shows how divine purposes advance through flawed individuals whom God graciously transforms.

Key themes include God's sovereign choice ("the older shall serve the younger"), the consequences of deception and family dysfunction, exile and return patterns, wrestling with God leading to blessing, and covenant renewal across generations. Jacob's character development from manipulative deceiver to mature patriarch demonstrates sanctification's lifelong process.

Theologically significant aspects include: (1) divine election based on grace not merit (Romans 9:10-13); (2) God's faithfulness to covenant promises despite human unfaithfulness; (3) discipline as evidence of divine love and means of transformation; (4) generational patterns of sin requiring divine intervention to break; (5) prayer and wrestling with God as legitimate expressions of faith. Jacob's limp after wrestling God symbolizes how divine encounters leave permanent marks, transforming our approach to life and dependence on God rather than our own cunning.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The patriarchal narratives (Genesis 12-50) reflect the cultural, social, and legal customs of the ancient Near East during the Middle Bronze Age (2000-1500 BCE). Archaeological discoveries including the Mari tablets, Nuzi tablets, and Egyptian records confirm many details: nomadic pastoralism, covenant-making ceremonies, marriage customs, property laws, and international travel patterns described in Genesis.

The cultural practices reflected include: treaty/covenant forms (Genesis 15), bride-price customs (Genesis 24, 29), inheritance laws favoring firstborn sons (Genesis 25, 27), adoption practices (Genesis 15, 30), levirate-type arrangements (Genesis 38), and Egyptian administrative systems (Genesis 41, 47). These parallels confirm Genesis's historical reliability while showing how God worked within ancient cultural frameworks to accomplish His purposes.

For later Israelites, these narratives established their identity as Abraham's descendants, explained their claim to Canaan, justified their possession of Joseph's bones (Exodus 13:19), and provided models of faith despite imperfection. The patriarchs' failures and God's faithfulness encouraged Israel that covenant relationship depended on God's grace rather than human merit. The movement from Mesopotamia to Canaan to Egypt set the stage for the Exodus and conquest narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What theological truths about Return to Bethel emerge from this passage?
  2. What specific changes in thinking or behavior does this verse call us to make?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר1 of 20

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֱלֹהִים֙2 of 20

And God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֶֽל3 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

יַעֲקֹ֔ב4 of 20

unto Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

ק֛וּם5 of 20

Arise

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

עֲלֵ֥ה6 of 20

go up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בֵֽית7 of 20
H0
אֵ֖ל8 of 20

to Bethel

H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine

וְשֶׁב9 of 20

and dwell

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

שָׁ֑ם10 of 20
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וַֽעֲשֵׂה11 of 20

there and make

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

שָׁ֣ם12 of 20
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

מִזְבֵּ֔חַ13 of 20

there an altar

H4196

an altar

לָאֵל֙14 of 20

unto God

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

הַנִּרְאֶ֣ה15 of 20

that appeared

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֵלֶ֔יךָ16 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּבָרְחֲךָ֔17 of 20

unto thee when thou fleddest

H1272

to bolt, i.e., figuratively, to flee suddenly

מִפְּנֵ֖י18 of 20

from the face

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

עֵשָׂ֥ו19 of 20

of Esau

H6215

esav, a son of isaac, including his posterity

אָחִֽיךָ׃20 of 20

thy brother

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Genesis. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Genesis 35:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Genesis 35:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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