King James Version

What Does Genesis 35:3 Mean?

Genesis 35:3 in the King James Version says “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 distres... — study this verse from Genesis chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Genesis 35:3 · 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.

4

And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.

5

And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And let us arise, and go up to Beth-el; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in ... 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. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and the gospel of redemption?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְנָק֥וּמָה1 of 17

And let us arise

H6965

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

וְנַֽעֲלֶ֖ה2 of 17

and go up

H5927

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

בֵּֽית3 of 17
H0
אֵ֑ל4 of 17

to Bethel

H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine

וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂה5 of 17

and I will make

H6213

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

שָּׁ֣ם6 of 17
H8033

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

מִזְבֵּ֗חַ7 of 17

there an altar

H4196

an altar

לָאֵ֞ל8 of 17

unto God

H410

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

הָֽעֹנֶ֤ה9 of 17

who answered

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

אֹתִי֙10 of 17
H853

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

בְּי֣וֹם11 of 17

me in the day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

צָֽרָתִ֔י12 of 17

of my distress

H6869

transitively, a female rival

וַֽיְהִי֙13 of 17
H1961

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

עִמָּדִ֔י14 of 17
H5978

along with

בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ15 of 17

and was with me in the way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

אֲשֶׁ֥ר16 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָלָֽכְתִּי׃17 of 17

which I went

H1980

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


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 35:3 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 35:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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