Genesis 35

Jacob returned to Bethel, about 24 kilometers (15 miles) south of Shechem, to fulfill the vows he made there (28:20–22).

• This chapter discusses God's promises, Jacob's vow, and how Jacob's sons continue the covenant. Deborah, Rachel, and Isaac died. This marked the end of an era and the story of Isaac's family (25:19–35:29).

• They removed idols (35:1–4) and established pure worship (35:6–7). During this time, they needed to renew their faith so Jacob's sons could continue the covenant.

Jacob vowed to fully devote himself to the Lord (28:20–22). To establish this devotion, his family had to get rid of all pagan idols and stop worshiping other gods. God allows no rivals. Only the Lord could be their God (compare Joshua 5:1–9).

He has been with me wherever I have gone: God had fulfilled his promises (28:15; 31:3), so Jacob must fulfill his vow.

a terror from God: People had heard about the killing of the men of Shechem (Genesis 34:25–30).

Jacob built an altar at Bethel as God had instructed (35:1; compare 12:8).

At Bethel, God confirmed the promise he made earlier. He reminded Jacob that his name was now Israel, proving that he had received the blessing.

God’s reference to himself as God Almighty assured Jacob that his promise could and would be fulfilled. At Bethel, God promised Jacob that he would have descendants in the land (compare 28:13–14). Here, God added that his descendants would include kings (see 17:6).

In fulfilling his vow (28:20–22), Jacob’s actions were almost identical to his actions in the earlier experience at Bethel (compare 28:16–19).

Benjamin's birth completed the family. But it was a sad event because Rachel died during childbirth (see study note on 31:32).

Rachel felt that the name Ben-oni, meaning “son of my sorrow,” fit the moment. But Jacob did not want his son to carry such a sad name, so he changed it to Benjamin, meaning “son of my right hand.” In this way, Jacob changed a moment of sorrow into one of hope and gave his son a name that pointed to blessing and strength.

Jacob did not carry Rachel’s body to the family tomb at Machpelah (23:1–20; 25:9; 49:30; 50:13) but buried her in the territory that would be Benjamin’s (see Josh 18:21–28; 1 Sam 10:2).

it marks Rachel’s tomb to this day: This seems to be a later editorial comment by someone who was living in the land after the conquest and giving directions to the tomb (see Genesis Book Introduction, “Composition”).

• Reuben had sexual relations with Bilhah. This dishonored his father's marriage. As the oldest son, Reuben might have been trying to take over as the clan leader using a pagan method (compare 2 Samuel 16:15–22). But this act caused him to lose his birthright (see Genesis 49:3–4).

• Jacob soon found out what happened, but he delayed his response again (see 49:3–4; compare 34:5).

The 12 sons of Jacob became the leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel. Their names are the beginnings of the nation.

Esau and Jacob, listed in the order of their birth, reunited to bury Isaac in Hebron. This was probably their first meeting since they reconciled (see 33:16–17; 13:18; 23:1–2, 17–19).