King James Version

What Does Genesis 35:22 Mean?

Genesis 35:22 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Is...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve :”

Genesis 35:22 · KJV

Context

20

And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day.

21

And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar.

22

And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve :

23

The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:

24

The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin:

Read Genesis 35 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father... 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. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיְהִ֗י1 of 19
H1961

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

בִּשְׁכֹּ֤ן2 of 19

“dwelt”

H7931

to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽ֑ל3 of 19

“And it came to pass when Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בָּאָ֣רֶץ4 of 19

“in that land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַהִ֔וא5 of 19
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ6 of 19
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

רְאוּבֵ֔ן7 of 19

“that Reuben”

H7205

reuben, a son of jacob

וַיִּשְׁכַּ֕ב֙8 of 19

“and lay”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

אֶת9 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בִּלְהָ֖ה֙10 of 19

“with Bilhah”

H1090

bilhah, the name of a place in palestine

פִּילֶ֣גֶשׁ11 of 19

“concubine”

H6370

a concubine; also (masculine) a paramour

אָבִ֑֔יו12 of 19

“his father's”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וַיִּשְׁמַ֖ע13 of 19

“heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽ֑ל14 of 19

“And it came to pass when Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ15 of 19
H1961

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

בְנֵֽי16 of 19

“it Now the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יַעֲקֹ֖ב17 of 19

“of Jacob”

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

שְׁנֵ֥ים18 of 19

“were twelve”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עָשָֽׂר׃19 of 19
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

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 35:22 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 35:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 5:1Leviticus 18:8Genesis 49:1-282 Samuel 16:21-221 Corinthians 5:12 Samuel 20:3

Test Your Knowledge

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

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