Genesis 35 16

Genesis 35:16 kjv

And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labor.

Genesis 35:16 nkjv

Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor.

Genesis 35:16 niv

Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty.

Genesis 35:16 esv

Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor.

Genesis 35:16 nlt

Leaving Bethel, Jacob and his clan moved on toward Ephrath. But Rachel went into labor while they were still some distance away. Her labor pains were intense.

Genesis 35 verses

Genesis 35 16 meaning

Genesis 35:16 details the journey of Jacob and his household from Bethel. As they drew near to Ephrath, Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife, began an extremely difficult labor, setting the stage for the bittersweet birth of Benjamin and her tragic passing. This verse marks a significant point in the establishment of the twelve tribes of Israel, a moment deeply intertwined with both God's promises and human suffering.

Genesis 35 16 Context

This verse is situated during Jacob's return journey to the land of Canaan, specifically after his transformative encounter with God at Bethel where God reaffirmed His covenant promises and renamed Jacob "Israel" (Genesis 35:9-15). The divine directive was to leave Paddan Aram and return to his homeland. Jacob had reconciled with Esau (Genesis 33) and settled briefly at Shechem (Genesis 33:18). Following the Shechem incident (Genesis 34), God instructs Jacob to proceed to Bethel. Having fulfilled this, Jacob and his family are now traveling southward from Bethel towards Hebron, where his father Isaac resided. Genesis 35:16 is the precursor to the pivotal events of Benjamin's birth and Rachel's death, which brings closure to Jacob's patriarchal family unit as all twelve sons are now born, though at a profound personal cost. The location, Ephrath, foreshadows its future biblical significance.

Genesis 35 16 Word analysis

• Word-by-word analysis

  • Then they journeyed (וַיִּסְעוּ, vayis'u): Lit. "And they pulled up their stakes" or "they broke camp and set out." Implies a collective, purposeful movement by the entire family unit. This emphasizes the nomadic life of the patriarchs and their obedient continuation of their travel according to God's will.
  • from Bethel (מִבֵּית אֵל, mibêt-’Êl): "From the House of God." A sacred place where Jacob had profound divine encounters, first with the dream of the ladder (Gen 28:10-22) and recently with God's reaffirmation of the covenant and his renaming as Israel (Gen 35:9-15). Their departure from this hallowed ground signifies moving into a new phase of their journey and experiencing new challenges despite divine blessings.
  • and when there was still some distance to go (עוֹד כִּבְרַת אֶרֶץ, ‘od kivrat ’erets): Lit. "still a land measure" or "still a little stretch of land." This idiomatic expression denotes a short, unspecified distance. The Hebrew emphasizes that the event occurred en route, before reaching their specific destination, adding to the abrupt and unexpected nature of Rachel's labor.
  • to Ephrath (אֶפְרָתָה, ’Efrata): An ancient name for Bethlehem, literally meaning "fruitfulness" or "ashy." This location becomes highly significant later in biblical history, particularly as the birthplace of King David (1 Sam 17:12) and prophetically, the birthplace of the Messiah (Mic 5:2; Matt 2:1). Its mention here ties the patriarchal narrative directly into the future line of redemption.
  • Rachel (רָחֵל, Rachēl): Jacob's most beloved wife, mother of Joseph. She is prominently featured for her long struggle with barrenness (Gen 29:31) and her desperate plea for children (Gen 30:1, "Give me children, or else I die!"). This phrase now tragically takes on an ironic fulfillment.
  • began to give birth (וַתֵּלֶד, vatteled): From the verb ילד (yalad), "to bear, to bring forth." This refers to the onset of childbirth. It is immediately followed by a descriptor of its severity.
  • and had hard labor (וַתְּקַשׁ, vatteqash): Lit. "and she was hard" or "it was hard for her." This describes an extremely difficult and dangerous delivery, indicative of complications or prolonged distress. It immediately evokes the curse on Eve in Genesis 3:16 regarding multiplied pain in childbirth.

• Words-group analysis

  • "Then they journeyed from Bethel... to Ephrath": This phrase details the continuous progression of the divine plan for Israel, even amidst the family's geographical movements. It highlights God's guidance from a place of spiritual encounter (Bethel) to a future significant site (Ephrath/Bethlehem). The journey symbolizes the faithfulness of God in leading His people.
  • "Rachel began to give birth and had hard labor": This poignant description marks the confluence of deeply desired fulfillment and profound human suffering. Rachel's life-long yearning for children culminates in a birth experience that aligns with the consequences of sin introduced in Genesis 3:16, emphasizing the reality of sorrow even within blessings, foreshadowing her imminent death.

Genesis 35 16 Bonus section

• The naming of Ephrath (later Bethlehem) in connection with Rachel's death creates a foundational sorrow associated with this highly significant location, linking suffering and redemption from the patriarchs onward.
• This verse and the following events complete the birth of Jacob's twelve sons, who will become the heads of the twelve tribes of Israel. This fulfillment is crucial for God's covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding numerous descendants.
• The personal loss for Jacob, symbolized by Rachel's hard labor and subsequent death, highlights the cost of building the covenant family. His enduring love for Rachel is often emphasized throughout Genesis, making this moment particularly sorrowful for him.
• Rachel's desperate cry in Genesis 30:1, "Give me children, or else I die!" finds a tragic and ironic fulfillment here, as she does indeed bear a child (Benjamin) but dies in the process.

Genesis 35 16 Commentary

Genesis 35:16 is a deeply poignant verse that quickly transitions from a period of divine blessings at Bethel to a moment of profound personal anguish for Jacob. The mention of "hard labor" for Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife and mother of Joseph, immediately sets a somber tone. This phrase intentionally echoes Genesis 3:16, highlighting the continued reality of pain in childbirth stemming from the Fall. The location "Ephrath," or Bethlehem, carries immense future significance as the future birthplace of both King David and, more importantly, the Messiah. Thus, this moment of matriarchal suffering paradoxically occurs at a site central to the Messianic hope. It serves as a reminder that even amidst God's faithfulness in fulfilling promises—such as establishing Jacob's descendants—there can be trials and great sorrow for individuals. The narrative underlines divine providence continuing its course through human joys and griefs alike, culminating in the birth of the final tribal patriarch at the cost of his mother's life.