Genesis 35:7

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

He built there an altar and called the place El-Beit-El [God of Beit-El], because it was there that God was revealed to him, at the time when he was fleeing from his brother.

Berean Standard Bible:

There Jacob built an altar, and he called that place El-bethel, because it was there that God had revealed Himself to Jacob as he fled from his brother.

American Standard Version:

And he built there an altar, and called the place El-beth-el; because there God was revealed unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he built^{H1129} there an altar^{H4196}, and called^{H7121} the place^{H4725} Elbethel^{H416}: because there God^{H430} appeared^{H1540} unto him, when he fled^{H1272} from the face^{H6440} of his brother^{H251}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Genesis 35:7

Genesis 35:7 is part of the narrative concerning Jacob, one of the patriarchs of the Israelite people. The verse reflects several key themes and historical contexts:

1. **Historical Context**: This event occurs during the early Israelite period, when the patriarchs were establishing their families and worship practices in Canaan. Jacob (later named Israel) is returning to Canaan after a long sojourn in Paddan-aram, where he worked for his uncle Laban and married his cousins Leah and Rachel.

2. **Flight from Esau**: The reference to Jacob fleeing from his brother Esau harks back to Genesis 27-28, where Jacob deceives their father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau. Fearing Esau's wrath, Jacob flees to Haran. The mention of "the face of his brother" underscores the tension and family conflict that was a significant part of Jacob's early life.

3. **Divine Encounters**: The name "Elbethel" means "God of the house of God" or "The God whom Bethel worships." This name reflects Jacob's previous encounter with God at Bethel (Genesis 28:10-22), where he had a dream of a ladder reaching to heaven and received God's promise of land and offspring. The altar he builds serves as a commemoration of this divine appearance and reaffirms the covenant between God and Jacob.

4. **Worship and Covenant**: The act of building an altar is a common practice in the ancient Near East, signifying a place of worship and sacrifice. By calling the place Elbethel, Jacob is memorializing a sacred space where he experienced God's presence and reiterating his commitment to the covenantal relationship.

5. **Thematic Significance**: This verse underscores themes of divine promise, God's guidance and protection, and the importance of worship and commemoration in the life of the patriarchs. It also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's faithfulness to His people despite their human frailties and the complexities of their family dynamics.

In summary, Genesis 35:7 captures a moment of religious significance for Jacob, as he acknowledges God's protection during a time of familial strife and reaffirms his faith through the act of building an altar, thus reinforcing the covenantal relationship between God and the patriarchs of Israel.

*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: H1129
   There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּנָה
   Transliteration: bânâh
   Pronunciation: baw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7121
   There are 689 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָרָא
   Transliteration: qârâʼ
   Pronunciation: kaw-raw'
   Description: a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications); bewray (self), that are bidden, call (for, forth, self, upon), cry (unto), (be) famous, guest, invite, mention, (give) name, preach, (make) proclaim(-ation), pronounce, publish, read, renowned, say.
   
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: H416
   There are 46 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵל בֵּית־אֵל
   Transliteration: ʼÊl Bêyth-ʼÊl
   Pronunciation: ale bayth-ale'
   Description: from אֵל and בֵּית־אֵל; the God of Bethel; El-Bethel, the title given to a consecrated spot by Jacob; El-beth-el.
   
6. Strong's Number: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; 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 deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1540
   There are 168 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּלָה
   Transliteration: gâlâh
   Pronunciation: gaw-law'
   Description: a primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal; [phrase] advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, [idiom] plainly, publish, remove, reveal, [idiom] shamelessly, shew, [idiom] surely, tell, uncover.
   
8. Strong's Number: H1272
   There are 64 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּרַח
   Transliteration: bârach
   Pronunciation: baw-rakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to bolt, i.e. figuratively, to flee suddenly; chase (away); drive away, fain, flee (away), put to flight, make haste, reach, run away, shoot.
   
9. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
10. Strong's Number: H251
    There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָח
    Transliteration: ʼâch
    Pronunciation: awkh
    Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.