Genesis-Chapter-35

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Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2“Mechon-Mamre.org (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org (SEF), three brilliant versions, However, the JPS-1917 is my preferred version!

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Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

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“Genesis Chapter 35”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Introduction:

Genesis Chapter 35 marks a pivotal homecoming and a spiritual “reset” for the House of Jacob. After the turmoil in Shechem, the family is called back to Bethel, the place of the original vision to purify themselves and solidify their identity as a covenant people. This chapter is a tapestry of birth and death, of shedding the old and embracing the new, as the family of Jacob finally transforms into the twelve-tribe nation of Israel.

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Let us now read Genesis Chapter 35 verses 1 to 29: (JPS-1917 version of the Torah). Below this chapter you will find my commentary for this study.

1 “And אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God) said unto Jacob: ‘Arise, go up to Beth-el, and dwell there; and make there an altar unto אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, who appeared unto thee when thou didst flee from the face of Esau thy brother’. 2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him: ‘Put away the strange gods that are among you, and purify yourselves, and change your garments; 3 and let us arise, and go up to Beth-el; and I will make there an altar unto אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went’. 4 And they gave unto Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hand, and the rings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth which was by Shechem. 5 And they journeyed; and a terror of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob. 6 So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, the same is Beth-el he and all the people that were with him. 7 And he built there an altar, and called the place El-beth-el, because there אֱלֹהִים - Elohim was revealed unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother. 8 And Deborah Rebekah’s nurse died, and she was buried below Beth-el under the oak; and the name of it was called ‘Allon-bacuth’. 9 And אֱלֹהִים - Elohim appeared unto Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him. 10 And אֱלֹהִים - Elohim said unto him: ‘Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but “Israel shall be thy name”; and He called his name Israel11 And אֱלֹהִים - Elohim said unto him: ‘I am אֱלֹהִים - Elohim Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; 12 and the land which I gave unto Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land’. 13 And אֱלֹהִים - Elohim went up from him in the place where He spoke with him. 14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He spoke with him, a pillar of stone, and he poured out a drink-offering thereon, and poured oil thereon. 15 And Jacob called the name of the place where אֱלֹהִים - Elohim spoke with him, ‘Beth’el’. 16 And they journeyed from Beth’el; and there was still some way to come to Ephrath; and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. 17 And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the mid-wife said unto her: ‘Fear not; for this also is a son for thee’. 18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, for she died that she called his name Ben’oni; but his father called him Benjamin. 19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, the same is Beth-lehem. 20 And Jacob set up a pillar upon her grave; the same is the pillar of Rachel’s grave unto this day. 21 And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond Migdal-eder22 And it came to pass, while Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine; and Israel heard of it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: 23 the sons of Leah: Reuben, Jacob’s first-born, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun24 the sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin; 25 and the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid: Dan and Naphtali; 26 and the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid: Gad and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob, that were born to him in Paddan-aram27 And Jacob came unto Isaac his father to Mamre, to Kiriatharba, the same is Hebron where Abraham and Isaac sojourned. 28 And the days of Isaac were a hundred and fourscore years. 29 And Isaac expired, and died, and was gathered unto his people, old and full of days; and Esau and Jacob his sons buried him”.

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My Commentary on Genesis 35:1-29:

Verses 1-4: (The Command to Purify). The chapter begins with a Divine call to return to Beth’el. Jacob immediately understands that one cannot approach a sacred site while carrying the “strange gods” of the surrounding cultures. By burying the idols and earrings under the terebinth near Shechem, Jacob leads his household in a physical and spiritual act of renunciation, proving that true devotion requires a clean break from external influences.

Verses 5-8: (The Journey and the First Loss). As the family travels, a “terror of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim” falls upon the surrounding cities, protecting the small clan from retribution. Upon reaching Bethel, Jacob builds an altar, naming the place El’beth’el. Amidst this spiritual heights, we encounter the death of Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse. Her burial under “the oak of weeping” reminds us that the history of Israel is built on the quiet loyalty of those who served the previous generation.

Verses 9-15: (The Affirmation of Israel). Here, the Covenant is formally renewed. The name change from יַעֲקֹב - Ya’akov - Jacob to יִשְׂרָאֵל - Yisrael - Israel is reconfirmed, signalling that the “Striver with אֱלֹהִים - Elohim” has now reached a status of permanence. The promise of “a nation and a company of nations” echoes the promises made to ‘Abraham’ and ‘Isaac’, ‘Jacob’ responds by setting up a pillar of stone and pouring a drink offering, hallowing the ground where the future of his people was secured.

Verses 16-20: (The Birth of Benjamin and the Death of Rachel). In a deeply emotional transition, the narrative moves toward Ephrath. Rachel dies whilst giving birth to their final son. In her final breath, she names her son Ben’oni (Son of my sorrow), but Jacob renames him Benyamin (Son of the right hand). This act shows Jacob’s growth; he acknowledges the pain but chooses a name of strength and support for the child who completes the twelve.

Verses 21-26: (The Twelve Sons of Israel). The text briefly mentions the transgression of Reuben, a sober reminder of internal family fractures. Immediately following this, the Torah provides the formal census of the twelve sons, categorized by their mothers. This list serves much as a “birth certificate” of the Nation of Israel, showing that despite individual failings, the tribal structure is now complete and ready for its historical mission.

Verses 27-29: (The sad Passing of Isaac). The chapter concludes with Jacob finally arriving at Mamre to see his father, Isaac. The long journey that began with a flight in fear decades earlier ends in a peaceful reunion. Isaac’s death at one hundred and eighty years is described as being “full of days”, and the fact that both Esau and Jacob bury him together, signifies a moment of familial peace before the next great era of their history begins!

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My Closing Message:

Genesis 35 teaches us that the journey of faith is a continuous cycle of returning to our foundations and purifying our hearts. Even in the face of profound loss—the deaths of a nurse, a beloved wife, and a father, the mission of the House of Israel continues. It reminds us that our legacy is built not only on our triumphs but on how we handle our sorrows and how we choose to “rise up” and move toward the place where יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - the LORD our Eloheynu calls us!

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This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following through a number of our prophets...

Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts” Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

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“The More Torah, the More Life”,

For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!”

May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָהthe LORD of hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the מוֹעֲדִים Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and regular בְּרָכָה Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before food and drinks, etc!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!

Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

 

 

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