Genesis 35:1 kjv

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.

Genesis 35:1 nkjv

Then God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother."

Genesis 35:1 niv

Then God said to Jacob, "Go up to Bethel and settle there, and build an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you were fleeing from your brother Esau."

Genesis 35:1 esv

God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there. Make an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau."

Genesis 35:1 nlt

Then God said to Jacob, "Get ready and move to Bethel and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother, Esau."

Genesis 35 verses

Genesis 35 1 Meaning

In Genesis 35:1, God directly commands Jacob to leave his current location and return to Bethel, the "House of God." The instruction involves dwelling there and constructing an altar to the specific God who had appeared to Jacob when he was fleeing from his brother Esau. This command initiates a new phase of Jacob's spiritual journey, emphasizing divine remembrance, renewal of worship, and a re-establishment of the covenant at a place of foundational significance.

Genesis 35 1 Context

Genesis 35:1 directly follows the chaotic and violent events of Genesis 34, where Dinah, Jacob's daughter, was defiled by Shechem, leading to a vengeful slaughter of the city's male population by Simeon and Levi. This act brought Jacob's household into disrepute and made them a target for retaliation from surrounding tribes. Jacob himself expressed deep concern about his family's precarious situation (Gen 34:30). In this immediate aftermath of moral compromise and physical danger, God's command provides direction and spiritual correction. It shifts the narrative focus from human failing and vengeance to divine initiative and guidance. The command to go to Bethel links back to Jacob's seminal encounter with God (Gen 28), where he had his dream of a ladder to heaven and made a vow to God, recognizing the place as "the house of God." The immediate context implies a need for Jacob and his household to leave the defilement of Shechem, purify themselves, and renew their commitment to God in a consecrated space, returning to the very foundation of Jacob's personal covenant with the Almighty.

Genesis 35 1 Word analysis

• Then (וַיֹּאמֶר - wa-yo'mer): Serves as a temporal connector, but also highlights divine intervention following human chaos. It signifies a new beginning or turning point initiated by God's voice.
• God (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim): A general but powerful name for God, emphasizing His role as Creator and sovereign over all. Its use here points to His universal authority and ability to command, in contrast to any local deities.
• said (וַיֹּאמֶר - wa-yo'mer): A direct verb indicating a clear, authoritative divine utterance. This is not a suggestion but a directive.
• to Jacob (אֶל יַעֲקֹב - el Ya'aqov): Jacob, though previously named Israel (Gen 32:28) by God, is addressed by his former name, perhaps highlighting the need for him to fully embody his new identity by acting in obedience and returning to foundational faith, overcoming his old "schemer" nature still clinging to him.
• Arise (קוּם - qum): A frequent divine command to initiate action or departure, often preceding significant shifts or difficult tasks. It implies urgency and decisive movement.
• go up (עֲלֵה - 'aleh): Implies an ascent, physically as Bethel was at a higher elevation, but also spiritually, signifying a move towards holiness or a sacred place.
• to Bethel (בֵּית־אֵל - Beit-El): "House of God." This specific geographical and spiritual location is central. It's the site of Jacob's life-changing dream, vow, and the first clear divine appearance to him. Returning symbolizes returning to foundational faith and covenant.
• and dwell there (וְשֵׁב שָׁם - v'shev sham): More than just a visit; it implies a settling, a permanent residence, and establishing a family base rooted in worship and covenant at this holy site.
• and make there (וַעֲשֵׂה־שָׁם - va'aseh-sham): A command to construct, not merely find an existing altar.
• an altar (מִזְבֵּחַ - mizbeach): A place of sacrifice and worship, central to patriarchal practice. It symbolizes remembrance of God's grace, renewal of covenant, and a point of communion with the divine.
• to God (לָאֵל - la'El): "To God" (the Mighty One). 'El' denotes God's power and strength, often associated with specific divine manifestations.
• who appeared to you (הַנִּרְאֶה אֵלֶיךָ - ha'nira'eh eleykha): Highlights a specific historical revelation, not just a general deity. This emphasizes God's personal faithfulness to Jacob and calls for Jacob to remember and respond to that faithfulness. It is a polemic against the general polytheism of the region by emphasizing this specific, personal God.
• when you fled (בְּבָרְחֲךָ - b'vorekhakha): A reminder of Jacob's state of vulnerability and fear (fleeing Esau), underscoring God's protection and provision during a time of great need. God was faithful even when Jacob was undeserving and in trouble.
• from Esau your brother (מִפְּנֵי עֵשָׂו אָחִיךָ - mi'pnei Esav achikha): Directly references the initial context of Jacob's flight, reminding him of his past, his deception, and God's enduring grace despite it.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then God said to Jacob": Underscores divine initiation after human failure. God takes the lead in guiding His chosen. The ongoing relationship between God and Jacob, even after difficult events, is affirmed.
• "Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there": This tripartite command is about action, direction, and sustained presence. It's a call to actively move towards a sacred place and commit to dwelling in its spiritual significance. It's both a physical journey and a spiritual pilgrimage.
• "and make there an altar to God": Emphasizes active worship and covenant renewal. The altar is a tangible sign of Jacob's response and devotion. It signifies thanksgiving, atonement, and continued reliance on God.
• "who appeared to you when you fled from Esau your brother": This is a powerful statement of divine identity and faithfulness. God identifies Himself not abstractly, but by His specific historical intervention in Jacob's life, especially when Jacob was at his lowest and most vulnerable. It grounds the command in God's demonstrated love and power, encouraging Jacob's trust and obedience. It highlights God's steadfast nature in upholding His covenant promises despite Jacob's earlier fear and flight.

Genesis 35 1 Bonus section

• The naming convention of "God" (Elohim/El) in this verse, rather than Yahweh (LORD), often highlights God's power and general sovereignty in a situation calling for order and purification. It is God as the mighty authority calling Jacob to account.
• The call to "return" to Bethel parallels a spiritual return, similar to a call to repentance and renewal of commitment after a period of straying or compromise. It signifies moving forward by first going back to the foundational principles and original relationship with God.
• The significance of Bethel (House of God) being Jacob's designated place of return establishes it as a central cultic site, preceding the later Temple in Jerusalem. It was a divinely chosen place for encounter and worship in the patriarchal age, distinguishing Yahweh worship from surrounding pagan cults.

Genesis 35 1 Commentary

Genesis 35:1 marks a crucial turning point for Jacob and his household. After the unsettling events in Shechem, God intervenes with a direct and purposeful command, moving Jacob's family away from defilement and danger and towards spiritual realignment. The command to go to Bethel is not merely geographical; it is a summons to remember and re-engage with the foundational encounter Jacob had with God there in Genesis 28. By instructing Jacob to "dwell" and build an "altar," God calls for a settled, consistent form of worship and dedication, moving beyond the transient existence of nomads. The reminder of God as the one "who appeared to you when you fled from Esau" anchors this command in God's historical faithfulness and providence. It recalls Jacob's desperate flight, emphasizing that even in his deceitful past, God was with him and protected him. This verse highlights the theme of divine grace: God initiates renewal and offers a path to purity even after significant moral lapses and danger for His people. It's a call to return to the original source of their faith, purify their lives (as the following verses show), and consecrate themselves anew to the One True God who had faithfully sustained them.