Genesis 35:1

¶ 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.

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}.

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."

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.”

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

Context

Genesis 35:1 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, and the unsettling events involving Dinah and the men of Shechem in Genesis 34, 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).

Key Themes

  • Divine Command and Obedience: The verse opens with a direct command from God, emphasizing His initiative and Jacob's need for immediate obedience. This is a call to spiritual purification and renewed commitment.
  • Return to Spiritual Roots: God instructs Jacob to return to Bethel, meaning "House of God" (from Hebrew Beth-El). This signifies a return to a place of previous divine encounter, covenant, and a call to remember foundational experiences of faith.
  • Worship and Consecration: The instruction to "make there an altar unto God" is a command to re-establish formal worship and consecrate himself and his household. Altars in the Old Testament symbolized dedication, sacrifice, and communion with God.
  • God's Faithfulness and Remembrance: God reminds Jacob of His appearance "when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother." This highlights God's unwavering faithfulness, recalling His presence and promises during Jacob's most vulnerable time (Genesis 28:15), and reinforcing that He had been with Jacob throughout his journey.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Bethel" itself is a powerful linguistic insight, derived from two Hebrew words: bayith (house) and 'el (God), literally meaning "House of God." This naming underscores the sacred nature of the location, where God had previously revealed Himself to Jacob. The phrase "appeared unto thee" (Hebrew: ra'ah) denotes a clear, tangible manifestation or vision of God, emphasizing the personal and direct nature of God's interaction with Jacob.

Practical Application

Genesis 35:1 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • The Call to Spiritual Renewal: 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.
  • Prioritizing Worship: God's command to build an altar emphasizes the importance of intentional worship and dedicating specific places or times for communion with Him. True spiritual growth often requires a deliberate act of setting aside and consecrating ourselves.
  • Remembering God's Faithfulness: Recalling God's past interventions and promises, particularly during difficult times, strengthens our faith and encourages obedience in the present. God's track record of faithfulness is a powerful anchor for our souls.
  • Obedience in Action: God's command to "arise, go up, and dwell there" requires active obedience. Faith is not passive; it involves responding to God's directives with tangible steps.
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Cross-References

  • Genesis 31:13 (8 votes)

    I [am] the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, [and] where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred.

  • Hosea 12:4 (5 votes)

    Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him [in] Bethel, and there he spake with us;

  • Genesis 35:7 (4 votes)

    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.

  • Genesis 31:3 (4 votes)

    And the LORD said unto Jacob, Return unto the land of thy fathers, and to thy kindred; and I will be with thee.

  • Psalms 91:15 (4 votes)

    He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I [will be] with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

  • Deuteronomy 32:36 (4 votes)

    For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that [their] power is gone, and [there is] none shut up, or left.

  • Psalms 47:4 (3 votes)

    He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.