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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
We're going to move on and go up to Beit-El. There I will build an altar to God, who answered me when I was in such distress and stayed with me wherever I went."
Berean Standard Bible:
Then let us arise and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”
American Standard Version:
and let us arise, and go up to Beth-el; 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.
When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that [was] with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;
Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked [thee] yesternight.
¶ And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
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Commentary for Genesis 35:3
Genesis 35:3 is a verse that captures a significant moment in the life of the patriarch Jacob. The historical context of this verse is set after Jacob has experienced a series of life-changing events, including his departure from his childhood home due to conflict with his brother Esau, his encounter with God at Bethel where he received the promise of land and offspring (Genesis 28:10-22), and his time working for and eventually deceiving his uncle Laban in Paddan-aram.
In this verse, Jacob is instructing his household to prepare for a journey back to Bethel, a place of spiritual significance where he had previously encountered God. The themes present in this verse include:
1. **Return and Redemption**: Jacob is returning to a place where he had a profound spiritual experience. This return signifies a journey of redemption and a response to God's call to fulfill the promises made to him.
2. **Worship and Obedience**: By deciding to build an altar to God, Jacob demonstrates his intention to worship the God who has been with him through his trials. This act of worship is also an act of obedience, as it acknowledges God's sovereignty and faithfulness.
3. **God's Providence**: Jacob recognizes that God has been with him during his time of distress and has provided guidance and protection. This acknowledgment reflects the theme of God's providence and care for His people, even when they are flawed or have made mistakes.
4. **Covenant Relationship**: The promise that God made to Jacob at Bethel is part of the broader covenant relationship God establishes with the patriarchs. Jacob's return to Bethel to erect an altar reaffirms his commitment to this covenant.
5. **Transformation of Identity**: Throughout Jacob's life, God has been working to transform him from a deceiver into a man of faith. Jacob's decision to return to Bethel and honor God marks a significant step in his spiritual growth and transformation.
In summary, Genesis 35:3 reflects Jacob's intention to honor God's promises and His presence in his life. It is a moment of spiritual renewal and commitment, emphasizing themes of worship, divine guidance, covenant faithfulness, and personal transformation.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
Strong's Number: H6965 There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: קוּם Transliteration: qûwm Pronunciation: koom Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising).
Strong's Number: H5927 There are 817 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עָלָה Transliteration: ʻâlâh Pronunciation: aw-law' Description: a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.
Strong's Number: H1008 There are 63 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: בֵּית־אֵל Transliteration: Bêyth-ʼÊl Pronunciation: bayth-ale' Description: from בַּיִת and אֵל; house of God; Beth-El, a place in Palestine; Beth-el.
Strong's Number: H6213 There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עָשָׂה Transliteration: ʻâsâh Pronunciation: aw-saw' Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
Strong's Number: H4196 There are 338 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מִזְבֵּחַ Transliteration: mizbêach Pronunciation: miz-bay'-akh Description: from זָבַח; an altar; altar.
Strong's Number: H410 There are 307 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אֵל Transliteration: ʼêl Pronunciation: ale Description: shortened from אַיִל; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity); God (god), [idiom] goodly, [idiom] great, idol, might(-y one), power, strong. Compare names in '-el.'
Strong's Number: H6030 There are 317 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עָנָה Transliteration: ʻânâh Pronunciation: aw-naw' Description: a primitive root; 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, testify, announce; give account, afflict (by mistake for עָנָה), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for עָנָה), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also בֵּית עֲנוֹת, בֵּית עֲנָת.
Strong's Number: H3117 There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: יוֹם Transliteration: yôwm Pronunciation: yome Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; 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 associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.
Strong's Number: H6869 There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: צָרָה Transliteration: tsârâh Pronunciation: tsaw-raw' Description: feminine of צַר; tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble); transitively, a female rival:; adversary, adversity, affliction, anguish, distress, tribulation, trouble.
Strong's Number: H1870 There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ Transliteration: derek Pronunciation: deh'-rek Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever).
Strong's Number: H1980 There are 468 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: הָלַךְ Transliteration: hâlak Pronunciation: haw-lak' Description: akin to יָלַךְ; a primitive root; to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively); (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl.