Short answer: Genesis 35 records Jacob's return to Bethel at God's command, the renewal of the covenant, the deaths of Deborah and Rachel, Reuben's sin with Bilhah, and the death of Isaac. The chapter marks a transition as Jacob's family grows into the twelve tribes of Israel.
Introduction
Genesis 35 is a transitional chapter that brings closure to several narratives. God calls Jacob to return to Bethel, where He first appeared to him. Jacob purifies his household of foreign gods, builds an altar, and receives the renewed covenant. But the chapter is also marked by sorrow: Deborah dies, Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin, and Isaac dies at a ripe old age. The list of Jacob's twelve sons establishes the tribal structure of Israel.
Jacob Called to Bethel (35:1-8)
God speaks directly to Jacob: 'Arise, go up to Bethel, and live there. Make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.' Jacob responds with immediate obedience, but first he purifies his household. He commands everyone to put away foreign gods, purify themselves, and change garments. This spiritual cleansing is necessary before approaching the altar of God. Rachel's hidden teraphim and any other idols acquired in Paddan Aram are buried under the oak near Shechem. Jacob then leads his family to Bethel. God's terror falls on the surrounding cities, preventing any pursuit or retaliation after the Shechem massacre. At Bethel, Jacob builds an altar and calls the place El-Bethel — 'the God of Bethel.' Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, dies and is buried under an oak, which Jacob calls Allon Bacuth ('oak of weeping').
God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and live there. Make there an altar to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.” Then Jacob said to his household, and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, change your garments. Let’s arise, and go up to Bethel. I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me on the way which I went.” They gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the rings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem. They traveled, and a terror of God was on the cities that were around them, and they didn’t pursue the sons of Jacob. So Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel), which is in the land of Canaan, he and all the people who were with him. He built an altar there, and called the place El Beth El; because there God was revealed to him, when he fled from the face of his brother. Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the oak; and its name was called Allon Bacuth.
Genesis 35:1-8 (World English Bible)
The Covenant Renewed (35:9-15)
God appears to Jacob again at Bethel, confirming and expanding the earlier revelation. God blesses him and reiterates the new name given at Peniel: 'Your name is Jacob. Your name shall not be called Jacob any more, but Israel will be your name.' Then God repeats the promises made to Abraham and Isaac: fruitfulness, a nation and company of nations, kings descending from him, and the land given to Abraham and Isaac passing to his descendants. Jacob responds by setting up a stone pillar at the place where God spoke with him, pouring out a drink offering and oil on it — consecrating the spot as a sacred site.
God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan Aram, and blessed him. God said to him, “Your name is Jacob. Your name shall not be Jacob any more, but your name will be Israel.” He named him Israel. God said to him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations will be from you, and kings will come out of your body. The land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give it to you, and to your offspring after you I will give the land.” God went up from him in the place where he spoke with him. Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he spoke with him, a pillar of stone. He poured out a drink offering on it, and poured oil on it. Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him “Bethel”.
Genesis 35:9-15 (World English Bible)
Rachel's Death and Benjamin's Birth (35:16-20)
The journey from Bethel continues toward Ephrath (Bethlehem). Rachel goes into a difficult labor. As she struggles to give birth, the midwife tries to encourage her: 'Don't be afraid, for you have another son.' But Rachel dies in childbirth. With her final breath, she names her son Ben-oni, meaning 'son of my sorrow.' Jacob, however, renames him Benjamin — 'son of my right hand' or 'son of strength.' This renaming transforms a memorial of tragedy into a declaration of hope. Jacob sets up a pillar on Rachel's grave, which marks the spot to this day. Rachel's death at Bethlehem adds a poignant layer to the biblical narrative, and her tomb becomes a significant landmark in Israel's history.
They traveled from Bethel. There was still some distance to come to Ephrath, and Rachel travailed. She had hard labor. When she was in hard labor, the midwife said to her, “Don’t be afraid, for now you will have another son.” As her soul was departing (for she died), she named him Benoni, but his father named him Benjamin. Rachel died, and was buried on the way to Ephrath (also called Bethlehem). Jacob set up a pillar on her grave. The same is the Pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day.
Genesis 35:16-20 (World English Bible)
Reuben's Sin with Bilhah (35:21-22)
While Israel is camped near Migdal Eder (the Tower of the Flock), Reuben, Jacob's firstborn son, commits a grievous sin: he sleeps with Bilhah, his father's concubine. This act was both a sexual sin and a challenge to Jacob's authority — sleeping with a father's concubine was a claim to succession in ancient Near Eastern culture. The text reports it briefly: 'Israel heard of it.' No immediate punishment is recorded, but the consequence comes later in Genesis 49:3-4, when Jacob recalls this sin and strips Reuben of his birthright as firstborn.
Israel traveled, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Eder. While Israel lived in that land, Reuben went and lay with Bilhah, his father’s concubine, and Israel heard of it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve.
Genesis 35:21-22 (World English Bible)
Jacob's Twelve Sons (35:23-26)
The chapter provides a formal listing of Jacob's twelve sons organized by mother. Leah's six sons: Reuben (firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. Rachel's two sons: Joseph and Benjamin. Bilhah's two sons: Dan and Naphtali. Zilpah's two sons: Gad and Asher. This list establishes the twelve tribes of Israel. The careful enumeration emphasizes that despite the family's dysfunction, God is building the nation He promised.
The sons of Leah: Reuben (Jacob’s firstborn), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Bilhah (Rachel’s servant): Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Zilpah (Leah’s servant): Gad and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan Aram.
Genesis 35:23-26 (World English Bible)
Isaac's Death (35:27-29)
Jacob finally arrives at Mamre in Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac had lived, to visit his aged father Isaac. Isaac dies at 180 years old, described as 'old and full of years.' His sons Esau and Jacob bury him together — a quiet but significant note of reconciliation. The burial of Isaac by both brothers echoes the peaceful reunion of Genesis 33 and closes the patriarchal era. With Isaac's death, Jacob now stands as the sole patriarch of the covenant family.
Jacob came to Isaac his father, to Mamre, to Kiriath Arba (which is Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac lived as foreigners. The days of Isaac were one hundred eighty years. Isaac gave up the spirit and died, and was gathered to his people, old and full of days. Esau and Jacob, his sons, buried him.
Genesis 35:27-29 (World English Bible)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jacob bury the foreign gods at Shechem?
Before going to Bethel, Jacob commanded his household to put away foreign gods — likely the teraphim Rachel had taken from Laban and any other idols acquired in Paddan Aram. Burying them under the oak at Shechem was an act of purification, signifying exclusive devotion to Yahweh before approaching His altar.
Why is Rachel's death significant in biblical history?
Rachel's death at Bethlehem marks a key moment in the patriarchal narrative. She is the beloved wife of Jacob and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Her tomb at Bethlehem becomes a significant landmark, later referenced in Jeremiah 31:15 and Matthew 2:18 as a symbol of mourning and hope.
What does the name Benjamin mean?
Benjamin means 'son of my right hand' or 'son of the south.' Rachel named him Ben-oni ('son of my sorrow') with her dying breath, but Jacob renamed him Benjamin — a name of honor and strength, signifying the son who would be his right-hand support.
Biblical Fidelity Check
This article faithfully presents the biblical account of Jacob's return to Bethel as recorded in Genesis 35. The events of covenant renewal, Rachel's death, Reuben's sin, and Isaac's burial are drawn directly from the World English Bible translation. The theological significance of Bethel and the formation of the twelve tribes are presented accurately.
Related Bible Studies
- Genesis 32 — Jacob Wrestles with God
- Genesis 33 — Jacob and Esau Reunited
- Genesis 28 — Jacob's Ladder at Bethel
- Genesis 31 — Jacob Flees Laban
- Genesis 49 — Jacob Blesses the Tribes
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