King James Version

What Does Genesis 35:16 Mean?

Genesis 35:16 in the King James Version says “And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had har...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. a little: Heb. a little piece of ground”

Genesis 35:16 · KJV

Context

14

And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.

15

And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel.

16

And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. a little: Heb. a little piece of ground

17

And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.

18

And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. Benoni: that is, The son of my sorrow Benjamin: that is, The son of the right hand

Read Genesis 35 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they journeyed from Beth-el; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel trava... 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 does this passage reveal about God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
  2. How can we apply the principles from this passage to contemporary challenges in family, work, or church?
  3. In what ways does this narrative foreshadow or typify aspects of Christ's redemptive work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיִּסְעוּ֙1 of 13

“And they journeyed”

H5265

properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey

מִבֵּ֣ית2 of 13
H0
אֵ֔ל3 of 13

“from Bethel”

H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine

וַֽיְהִי4 of 13
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

ע֥וֹד5 of 13

“and there was but”

H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

כִּבְרַת6 of 13

“a little”

H3530

properly, length, i.e., a measure (of uncertain dimension)

הָאָ֖רֶץ7 of 13

“way”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לָב֣וֹא8 of 13

“to come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶפְרָ֑תָה9 of 13

“to Ephrath”

H672

ephrath, another name for bethlehem

בְּלִדְתָּֽהּ׃10 of 13

“labour”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

רָחֵ֖ל11 of 13

“and Rachel”

H7354

rachel, a wife of jacob

וַתְּקַ֥שׁ12 of 13

“and she had hard”

H7185

properly, to be dense, i.e., tough or severe (in various applications)

בְּלִדְתָּֽהּ׃13 of 13

“labour”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

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 35:16 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 35:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Micah 5:2Genesis 48:71 Chronicles 2:19Matthew 2:18Genesis 35:19Psalms 132:6

Places in This Verse

Bethel 1Settlement · Modern: Beitin · 31.92°N, 35.24°E69 verses across 12 books
EphrathSettlement · Modern: Bethlehem · 31.70°N, 35.21°E3 verses across 1 book
View all places in Genesis 35 →

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Genesis 35 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterGenesis Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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