Gen. 35 God commands Jacob to dwell at Beth-el, and build an altar there, Gen. 35:1. He commands his family to purge themselves from idols, and go to Beth-el, Gen. 35:2–3. They obey, Gen. 35:4. He and they go thither, none pursuing them; the reason thereof, Gen. 35:5–6.

This was a word in season to comfort his disquieted mind, and convey him to a safer place. Understand, and pay thy vows there made in the time of thy distress, but not yet paid; whether it was Jacob’s error to forget and neglect his former vows and promises; or whether he waited for a fit time, or…

The strange gods, the idols, which are so called here, and Deut. 31:16, Deut. 32:12, Josh. 24:20, because they were the gods of strange and foreign nations, such as all were accounted who were not Israelites. Quest. How came these to be and to continue so long in Jacob’s house. Answ. Either, 1.

He takes God’s gracious promise, and the comfortable hope and assurance of God’s favour to him, and care of him, impressed by God upon his mind and heart, for an answer to his prayers, though he had then seen no success nor accomplishment of God’s word to him.

Either because they had been abused to idolatry and superstition at Shechem, or elsewhere, and therefore were to be destroyed according to God’s command, now signified to Jacob, and afterwards delivered to his posterity, Deut. 7:5, Deut. 12:3; or for fear they should be so abused.

The terror of God, i.e. a great terror sent from God, as Ex. 23:27, Josh. 2:9, Josh. 2:11, 2 Chron. 14:14, 2 Chron. 17:10. So we read of a sleep of God, 1 Sam. 26:12. Nothing less could have secured Jacob, considering the great number, power, and rage of his enemies.

In the land of Canaan, properly so called, or where the Canaanites properly so called dwelt. Thus it is distingnished from another Luz, Judg. 1:26.

El-beth-el, i.e. He confirmed the name which he had formerly given to the place.

She came with Rebekah into Canaan, Gen. 24:59, and probably tarried with her whilst she lived, and after her death, as it seems; and, upon Jacob’s desire, after his return from Haran, came into his family; where, being a person of great prudence and piety, her presence and advice was very useful in…

Israel shall be thy name. I do not repent of the change which I made of thy name, but I do again confirm it; and as then thou didst prevail over thy brother Esau, so now thou shalt prevail over those of whom thou art afraid.

A company of nations, tribes, for number and power, equal to so many nations, shall come out of thy loins, i.e. shall be begotten by thee, as this phrase is taken also in Gen. 46:26, 1 Kings 8:19, Acts 2:30.

God went up from him; either locally and visibly, to wit, in that human shape in which he appeared to him; or by withdrawing the signs of his special presence, as Gen. 17:22, Judg.

Either he repaired the old pillar set up by him, Gen. 28:18, which was ruined by the injury of time, or by the neighbouring idolaters; or rather erected a new one, more stable and durable than he could do in that time, as a monument or witness of God’s manifold favours, and of his own gratitude.

In departing; or, in going out; namely, out of the body, as Ps. 146:4, which is an argument of the soul’s immortality, especially if compared with Eccles. 12:7. From which places, laid together, we learn the two terms of the journey, whence it goes, and whither it goes.

In the way to Ephrath; not in the city, though that was near; for in ancient times their sepulchres were not in the places of resort, but in separated places, and out of cities. See Matt. 27:60, Luke 7:12.

Jacob set a pillar, as a monument or memorial of her life and death, and as a testimony of her future resurrection. Unto this day, i.e. unto the time wherein Moses writ this book, and long after. See 1 Sam. 10:2, Jer. 31:15.

Or, the tower of the flock; a place where were excellent pastures. See Mic. 4:8.

This was a horrid incest; for concubines were a sort of wives. See Gen. 22:24, Gen. 25:1. Israel heard it, and doubtless sadly resented it, both in Reuben, as appears from Gen. 49:4, 1 Chron.

All but Benjamin, who must in all reason be supposed to be excepted here, because he is said to be born elsewhere, above, Gen. 35:16. But it is a usual synecdoche, whereby that is ascribed to all in gross which belongs to the greatest part. See Gen. 15:13, Gen. 46:15, Ex. 12:40, Judg.

Jacob came; either with his wives, and children, and estate, to dwell with Isaac; or rather in person, to visit his sick and dying father; for otherwise Jacob having been ten years near his father, no doubt he had oft visited him, and carried his wives and children thither, though Scripture be…

1715 Was gathered unto his people; either to the society of the dead, or to the congregation of the just. See Gen. 15:15, Gen. 25:8.