Genesis 35:14

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Ya'akov set up a standing-stone in the place where he had spoken with him, a stone pillar. Then he poured out a drink offering on it and poured oil on it.

Berean Standard Bible:

So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where God had spoken with him—a stone marker—and he poured out a drink offering on it and anointed it with oil.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Jacob^{H3290} set up^{H5324} a pillar^{H4676} in the place^{H4725} where he talked^{H1696} with him, even a pillar^{H4678} of stone^{H68}: and he poured^{H5258} a drink offering^{H5262} thereon, and he poured^{H3332} oil^{H8081} thereon.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Genesis 35:14

Genesis 35:14 is set within the broader narrative of Jacob's return to Canaan after his time in Paddan-aram with his uncle Laban. The verse specifically references Jacob's actions at Bethel, which is significant because it is the same place where, years earlier, Jacob had a transformative encounter with God (Genesis 28:10-22). In that earlier encounter, Jacob had a dream of a ladder reaching to heaven, and God renewed the covenant promise made to Abraham and Isaac, assuring Jacob of His presence and promising him land and offspring.

Themes in Genesis 35:14 include:

1. **Worship and Commemoration**: Jacob sets up a stone pillar as a memorial to his encounter with God, a common practice in the ancient Near East to commemorate significant religious experiences. The pouring of a drink offering and oil on the pillar represents an act of worship, acknowledging God's presence and faithfulness.

2. **Covenant Renewal**: The act of setting up the pillar is part of a larger narrative of covenant renewal. God had appeared to Jacob again in Genesis 35:9-15, reaffirming His covenant promises and changing Jacob's name to Israel, signifying a new identity and destiny for him and his descendants.

3. **Transition and Transformation**: This event marks a significant transition in Jacob's life. He is moving from being a trickster and a man on the run to becoming the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. The renaming of Jacob to Israel signifies a transformation in his character and role in God's redemptive plan.

4. **Sacred Space**: The site of Bethel becomes a sacred space, a place where heaven and earth meet. By revisiting this place, Jacob acknowledges its significance in his spiritual journey and in the history of his family.

Historically, this verse reflects the religious practices of the ancient Israelites and their ancestors, which included the erection of standing stones (matsevot) and the offering of libations and oil as acts of devotion. These practices were part of the religious culture of the time and were later incorporated into the worship traditions of the Israelites, although they were sometimes modified or prohibited as the worship of Yahweh became more centralized and codified, especially after the establishment of the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3290
   There are 319 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יַעֲקֹב
   Transliteration: Yaʻăqôb
   Pronunciation: yah-ak-obe'
   Description: from עָקַב; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch; Jacob.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5324
   There are 75 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָצַב
   Transliteration: nâtsab
   Pronunciation: naw-tsab'
   Description: a primitive root; to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively); appointed, deputy, erect, establish, [idiom] Huzzah (by mistake for a proper name), lay, officer, pillar, present, rear up, set (over, up), settle, sharpen, establish, (make to) stand(-ing, still, up, upright), best state.
   
3. Strong's Number: H4676
   There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַצֵּבָה
   Transliteration: matstsêbâh
   Pronunciation: mats-tsay-baw'
   Description: feminine (causatively) participle of נָצַב; something stationed, i.e. a column or (memorial stone); by analogy, an idol; garrison, (standing) image, pillar.
   
4. Strong's Number: H4725
   There are 379 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מָקוֹם
   Transliteration: mâqôwm
   Pronunciation: maw-kome'
   Description: or מָקֹם; also (feminine) מְקוֹמָה; or מְקֹמָה; from קוּם; 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); country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever).
   
5. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4678
   There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַצֶּבֶת
   Transliteration: matstsebeth
   Pronunciation: mats-tseh'-beth
   Description: from נָצַב; something stationary, i.e. a monumental stone; also the stock of atree; pillar, substance.
   
7. Strong's Number: H68
   There are 1276 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶבֶן
   Transliteration: ʼeben
   Pronunciation: eh'-ben
   Description: from the root of בָּנָה through the meaning to build; a stone; [phrase] carbuncle, [phrase] mason, [phrase] plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-) stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s).
   
8. Strong's Number: H5258
   There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָסַךְ
   Transliteration: nâçak
   Pronunciation: naw-sak'
   Description: a primitive root; to pour out, especially a libation, or to cast (metal); by analogy, to anoint aking; cover, melt, offer, (cause to) pour (out), set (up).
   
9. Strong's Number: H5262
   There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נֶסֶךְ
   Transliteration: neçek
   Pronunciation: neh'-sek
   Description: or נֵסֶךְ; from נָסַךְ; a libation; also a cast idol; cover, drink offering, molten image.
   
10. Strong's Number: H3332
    There are 51 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָצַק
    Transliteration: yâtsaq
    Pronunciation: yaw-tsak'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard; cast, cleave fast, be (as) firm, grow, be hard, lay out, molten, overflow, pour (out), run out, set down, stedfast.
    
11. Strong's Number: H8081
    There are 176 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שֶׁמֶן
    Transliteration: shemen
    Pronunciation: sheh'-men
    Description: from שָׁמַן; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness; anointing, [idiom] fat (things), [idiom] fruitful, oil(-ed), ointment, olive, [phrase] pine.