Genesis 35:1

KJV

¶ And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.

KJV (with Strong's)

And God {H430} said {H559} unto Jacob {H3290}, Arise {H6965}, go up {H5927} to Bethel {H1008}, and dwell {H3427} there: and make {H6213} there an altar {H4196} unto God {H410}, that appeared {H7200} unto thee when thou fleddest {H1272} from the face {H6440} of Esau {H6215} thy brother {H251}.

Complete Jewish Bible

God said to Ya'akov, "Get up, go up to Beit-El and live there, and make there an altar to God, who appeared to you when you fled 'Esav your brother."

Berean Standard Bible

Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.”

American Standard Version

And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Beth-el, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, who appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 35:1 records God's direct command to Jacob to leave the defiled environment of Shechem and return to Bethel, the "House of God." This divine directive calls Jacob to spiritual renewal, instructing him to build an altar there as an act of worship and consecration, thereby re-establishing his covenant relationship with God at the very place where God had previously appeared to him during his flight from Esau. It underscores God's faithfulness and Jacob's need for obedient remembrance and renewed devotion.

### CONTEXT
[Genesis 35:1](/genesis/35-1 "God's command to Jacob to return to Bethel") marks a significant turning point in Jacob's life after his return to Canaan. Following a tense reunion with his brother Esau in [Genesis 33](/genesis/33 "Jacob and Esau's reconciliation"), and the unsettling events involving Dinah and the men of Shechem in [Genesis 34](/genesis/34 "The incident at Shechem"), God intervenes directly. This divine command calls Jacob to leave the tainted environment of Shechem and return to Bethel. Bethel holds deep spiritual significance for Jacob; it was the place where, many years prior, as he fled from his brother Esau, he had a profound dream of a ladder to heaven and received foundational promises from God ([Genesis 28:12-19](/genesis/28-12 "Jacob's dream and promises at Bethel")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
[Genesis 35:1](/genesis/35-1 "God's command to Jacob to return to Bethel") reveals God's initiative in calling Jacob to a renewed commitment and purification. Each phrase carries profound theological weight:

* **"And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there:"** This opening signifies a direct, divine intervention, emphasizing God's sovereignty and His active guidance in Jacob's life. The immediate command to "Arise" (Hebrew: *qum*) denotes urgency and a call to action. The destination, "Bethel," meaning "House of God" (from Hebrew *Beth-El*), is crucial. It was the site of Jacob's foundational covenant encounter with God ([Genesis 28:12-19](/genesis/28-12 "Jacob's dream and promises at Bethel")), where he had made a vow to God. Returning to Bethel is a call to remember and renew that initial dedication, moving away from the defilement and compromise associated with Shechem. The command to "dwell there" implies a sustained presence and re-establishment of his household in a place consecrated to God.

* **"and make there an altar unto God,"** The instruction to build an altar is a command to re-establish formal worship and consecration. Altars in the Old Testament symbolized dedication, sacrifice, and communion with God. This act would signify Jacob's public and private commitment to God, acknowledging His supremacy and providing a means for his household to engage in proper worship after the recent moral failings. It represents a spiritual cleansing and a renewed focus on God as the center of their lives.

* **"that appeared unto thee when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother."** God reminds Jacob of His past faithfulness, specifically recalling the initial encounter at Bethel ([Genesis 28:15](/genesis/28-15 "God's promise to Jacob")). This serves as both a comfort and a reason for obedience. God's unwavering presence and promises during Jacob's most vulnerable time (fleeing Esau) are highlighted, reinforcing that the same faithful God is now calling him to a new phase of obedience. The Hebrew word for "appeared" (*ra'ah*) denotes a clear, tangible manifestation or vision of God, emphasizing the personal and direct nature of God's interaction with Jacob.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
* **Divine Sovereignty and Initiative:** God initiates the command, demonstrating His active involvement in the lives of His covenant people, even when they falter.
* **Covenant Faithfulness:** God's command to return to Bethel is a reminder of His enduring covenant promises to Jacob, even when Jacob's actions have been less than ideal.
* **Call to Holiness and Separation:** The move from Shechem to Bethel symbolizes a call to separate from worldly defilement and return to a consecrated life dedicated to God.
* **Importance of Worship:** The command to build an altar underscores the centrality of formal worship and sacrifice in maintaining a right relationship with God.
* **Remembrance of God's Past Acts:** God's reminder of His previous appearance highlights the importance of recalling God's faithfulness in times past to encourage present obedience and trust.
* **Spiritual Pilgrimage:** Jacob's journey to Bethel is a physical manifestation of a spiritual pilgrimage, a return to foundational truths and a deeper walk with God.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[Genesis 35:1](/genesis/35-1 "God's command to Jacob to return to Bethel") offers timeless lessons for believers today. Just as Jacob was called to return to Bethel, we are often called to return to our spiritual "first love" or foundational experiences with God, especially after periods of spiritual complacency or moral compromise. God's command to build an altar emphasizes the importance of intentional worship and dedicating specific places or times for communion with Him, recognizing that true spiritual growth often requires a deliberate act of setting aside and consecrating ourselves. Furthermore, recalling God's past interventions and promises, particularly during difficult times, strengthens our faith and encourages obedience in the present, as God's track record of faithfulness is a powerful anchor for our souls. Finally, God's command to "arise, go up, and dwell there" requires active obedience, reminding us that faith is not passive; it involves responding to God's directives with tangible steps.

### FAQ
**Why did God command Jacob to return to Bethel specifically?**

Answer: God commanded Jacob to return to Bethel because it was a place of profound spiritual significance where God had previously appeared to him and made foundational covenant promises ([Genesis 28:12-19](/genesis/28-12 "Jacob's dream and promises at Bethel")). It represented a spiritual "home" and a call to remember and renew his initial dedication to God, moving away from the defilement and compromise associated with Shechem.

**What is the significance of building an altar in this context?**

Answer: Building an altar signified Jacob's renewed commitment to worship and consecration. Altars were places of sacrifice, dedication, and communion with God. This act symbolized a public and private declaration of Jacob's devotion, a spiritual cleansing for his household, and a re-establishment of God as the central focus of their lives after the recent moral failings.

**Why does God remind Jacob of His past appearance "when thou fleddest from the face of Esau"?**

Answer: God reminds Jacob of His past appearance to reinforce His unwavering faithfulness and to encourage Jacob's obedience. By recalling this specific vulnerable moment, God assures Jacob that the same God who was with him during his flight from Esau is still with him now, providing comfort, demonstrating His consistency, and giving Jacob a strong reason to trust and obey the current command.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine command to Jacob to return to Bethel, the "House of God," and build an altar points forward to Christ in several profound ways. Just as Jacob was called to return to the place of God's presence and establish worship, Christ is the ultimate "House of God," the one through whom humanity gains access to the Father's presence ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life")). The altar Jacob was commanded to build foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross, which perfectly atones for sin and establishes a new covenant, making continuous worship and communion with God possible through His shed blood ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Christ's one sacrifice")). God's faithfulness to Jacob, recalling His past appearance, finds its supreme fulfillment in God's ultimate faithfulness to His people through Christ, who is "the same yesterday and today and forever" ([Hebrews 13:8](/hebrews/13-8 "Jesus Christ is the same")). The call for Jacob's spiritual renewal and separation from defilement is ultimately realized in the believer's union with Christ, who cleanses us and empowers us to live a life consecrated to God through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.