Genesis 35:20 kjv

And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day.

Genesis 35:20 nkjv

And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel's grave to this day.

Genesis 35:20 niv

Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day that pillar marks Rachel's tomb.

Genesis 35:20 esv

and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel's tomb, which is there to this day.

Genesis 35:20 nlt

Jacob set up a stone monument over Rachel's grave, and it can be seen there to this day.

Genesis 35 verses

Genesis 35 20 Meaning

Genesis 35:20 records Jacob's act of setting up a stone pillar over Rachel's grave. This act signifies Jacob's profound grief, the memorialization of Rachel as a beloved wife and matriarch, and the permanent marking of her final resting place. The phrase "to this day" underscores the lasting presence and historical significance of this memorial within the narrative of the emerging Israelite nation.

Genesis 35 20 Context

Genesis 35 marks a pivotal and poignant period in Jacob's life after his return to the land of Canaan. The chapter begins with God instructing Jacob to go to Bethel and build an altar, fulfilling a vow Jacob made (Gen 28). This divine encounter reaffirms God's covenant with Jacob, giving him the new name Israel and promising him numerous descendants and the land. Amidst these spiritual and covenantal reaffirmations, the narrative takes a solemn turn, recounting two significant deaths. First, Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, dies and is buried under an oak, signifying a personal loss for the family. Immediately after, while traveling from Bethel, Rachel dies during childbirth near Ephrath (Bethlehem), giving birth to Benjamin. Her death is a profound sorrow for Jacob, who had waited so long for her to bear children. The verse in question directly follows the account of Rachel's difficult childbirth and death, highlighting Jacob's immediate and enduring response to this tragedy by erecting a memorial at her grave. The historical context includes ancient funerary practices where memorials like pillars (Hebrew: matstsebah) were common for marking important burials and significant events, establishing a physical testament to a person's life and place within the ancestral narrative.

Genesis 35 20 Word analysis

• And Jacob: Hebrew: וַיַּצֵּב יַעֲקֹב (wayyatstsev ya‘aqōḇ). "Jacob" (יַעֲקֹב) here underscores the personal act of the patriarch himself, moved by deep grief, contrasting with others who might have assisted. His personal involvement elevates the significance of the memorial.
• set up: Hebrew: וַיַּצֵּב (wayyatstsev). From the root נָצַב (nātsav), meaning "to stand, set, place, establish." This verb indicates a deliberate and purposeful action, ensuring permanence. It's the same verb used for Jacob setting up the stone at Bethel (Gen 28:18). This links the human act of memorializing with divine encounters and promises.
• a pillar: Hebrew: מַצֵּבָה (matstsebah). A standing stone, monument, or memorial stone. In the Bible, a matstsebah can serve various purposes: as a sign of covenant (Gen 31:45), a place of divine revelation (Gen 28:18, 22), or a burial marker (this verse). Unlike pagan steles sometimes used for idolatry, Jacob's matstsebah here functions solely as a burial memorial, affirming the memory of Rachel without any suggestion of worship directed to the stone. Its simplicity points to a grief-stricken remembrance.
• over her grave; Hebrew: עַל קְבֻרָתָהּ (‘al qəḇurātāh). "Grave" (קְבֻרָה qəḇurāh) refers specifically to the place of burial. Placing the pillar directly over the grave visually designates and secures the site. It is a sign of respect and finality.
• it is the pillar: Hebrew: הִוא מַצֶּבֶת (hī’ matstseḇet). Reiteration to confirm the identity and purpose of the stone, emphasizing its distinct recognition.
• of Rachel's grave: Hebrew: קְבֻרַת רָחֵל (qəḇurat raḥel). Specifies the deceased. Rachel (רָחֵל raḥel) was Jacob's most beloved wife, making her death a particularly poignant loss, leaving an indelible mark on Jacob and the unfolding narrative of Israel.
• to this day: Hebrew: עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה (‘ad hayyōm hazzeh). This is a common formula in the Pentateuch, often used by the narrator to indicate that a described custom, name, or landmark continued to exist and be known up to the time of the writing or the narrator's present. It serves as an affirmation of historical accuracy and continuity, bridging the ancient past with the present reader. It underscores the permanence of the memorial and the truthfulness of the account.

Genesis 35 20 Bonus section

The specific location of Rachel's grave and the pillar has been a subject of historical and traditional discussion. While Gen 35:16 identifies it as "some distance from Ephrath," which is "Bethlehem" (Gen 35:19), Jeremiah 31:15 speaks of Rachel weeping in "Ramah," traditionally located further north, leading to discussions about the precise site of the monument over time. Regardless of the exact geographical coordinates, the consistent biblical testimony across Old and New Testaments (Jer 31:15; Matt 2:18) about "Rachel weeping for her children" underlines the enduring emotional and theological significance of her burial site. The pillar therefore stands not only as a physical marker of her rest but also as a powerful symbolic point of reflection on maternal sorrow and prophetic anticipation regarding the lineage of Israel and the coming Messiah.

Genesis 35 20 Commentary

Genesis 35:20 encapsulates profound human sorrow within the framework of divine providence. Jacob's act of setting up a matstsebah for Rachel is not merely a custom; it is a deeply personal and public expression of his abiding love and grief. Rachel, who had been barren for so long and then died bearing Benjamin, represents both hope fulfilled and profound loss. The memorial stands as a testament to Jacob's sorrow and commitment to his beloved, ensuring her place in the family's history despite her untimely death outside of the family burial grounds. The simplicity of the stone contrasts with elaborate tombs but conveys permanence. The phrase "to this day" is crucial, transforming a momentary act into a lasting historical marker, suggesting that this particular monument continued to be recognized and venerated for generations, serving as a tangible link to the patriarchal past. This detail highlights the verse's rootedness in the historical tradition of Israel and the ongoing remembrance of the matriarch. This sorrowful yet definitive act of memorialization contributes to the overall narrative of the formation of the people of Israel, grounding their identity in both their triumphs and their tears.