King James Version

What Does Genesis 35:8 Mean?

Genesis 35:8 in the King James Version says “But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbac...” — study this verse from Genesis chapter 35 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Genesis 35:8 · KJV

Context

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.

10

And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.

Read Genesis 35 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Beth-el under an oak: and the name of i... 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. How does this verse contribute to the biblical doctrine of creation, fall, or redemption?
  2. What obstacles prevent us from living out the truths presented in this verse?
  3. How does understanding Christ as the ultimate fulfillment illuminate this passage's meaning?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַתָּ֤מָת1 of 14

“died”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

דְּבֹרָה֙2 of 14

“But Deborah”

H1683

deborah, the name of two hebrewesses

מֵינֶ֣קֶת3 of 14

“nurse”

H3243

to suck; causatively, to give milk

רִבְקָ֔ה4 of 14

“Rebekah's”

H7259

ribkah, the wife of isaac

וַתִּקָּבֵ֛ר5 of 14

“and she was buried”

H6912

to inter

מִתַּ֥חַת6 of 14
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

לְבֵֽית7 of 14
H0
אֵ֖ל8 of 14

“beneath Bethel”

H1008

beth-el, a place in palestine

תַּ֣חַת9 of 14
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

הָֽאַלּ֑וֹן10 of 14

“under an oak”

H437

oak tree

וַיִּקְרָ֥א11 of 14

“of it was called”

H7121

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

שְׁמ֖וֹ12 of 14

“and the name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

אַלּ֥וֹן13 of 14
H0
בָּכֽוּת׃14 of 14

“Allonbachuth”

H439

allon-bakuth, a monumental tree

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 35:8 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 35:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 24:591 Samuel 31:13Judges 2:1Judges 2:5

Places in This Verse

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

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