King James Version

What Does Genesis 35:7 Mean?

Genesis 35:7 in the King James Version says “And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the f...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother. Elbethel: that is, The God of Bethel”

Genesis 35:7 · KJV

Context

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.

6

So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, that is, Bethel, he and all the people that were with him.

7

And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother. Elbethel: that is, The God of Bethel

8

But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth. Allonbachuth: that is, The oak of weeping

9

And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.

Read Genesis 35 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he built there an altar, and called the place El-beth-el: because there God appeared unto him, w... 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. What connections can we trace from this verse to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיִּ֤בֶן1 of 16

“And he built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

שָׁם֙2 of 16
H8033

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

מִזְבֵּ֔חַ3 of 16

“there an altar”

H4196

an altar

וַיִּקְרָא֙4 of 16

“and called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

לַמָּק֔וֹם5 of 16

“the place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֵ֖ל6 of 16
H410

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

בֵּֽית7 of 16
H0
אֵ֑ל8 of 16
H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine

כִּ֣י9 of 16
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

שָׁ֗ם10 of 16
H8033

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

נִגְל֤וּ11 of 16

“appeared”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

אֵלָיו֙12 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים13 of 16

“because there 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

בְּבָרְח֖וֹ14 of 16

“unto him when he fled”

H1272

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

מִפְּנֵ֥י15 of 16

“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

אָחִֽיו׃16 of 16

“of his 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 35:7 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 35:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 28:13Genesis 35:1Genesis 35:3Genesis 28:22Ecclesiastes 5:4-5Ezekiel 48:35

Places in This Verse

Bethel 1Settlement · Modern: Beitin · 31.92°N, 35.24°E69 verses across 12 books
El-bethelAltar · Modern: Beitin · 31.92°N, 35.24°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Genesis 35 →

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