Genesis 35 5

Genesis 35:5 kjv

And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.

Genesis 35:5 nkjv

And they journeyed, and the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.

Genesis 35:5 niv

Then they set out, and the terror of God fell on the towns all around them so that no one pursued them.

Genesis 35:5 esv

And as they journeyed, a terror from God fell upon the cities that were around them, so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.

Genesis 35:5 nlt

As they set out, a terror from God spread over the people in all the towns of that area, so no one attacked Jacob's family.

Genesis 35 verses

Genesis 35 5 meaning

Genesis 35:5 signifies God's powerful and direct intervention to supernaturally protect Jacob and his family during their journey to Bethel. A pervasive and paralyzing divine dread was cast upon all the surrounding cities and their inhabitants, preventing them from pursuing or attacking Jacob's vulnerable group, thereby ensuring the safe passage of God's chosen family and the fulfillment of His covenantal purposes. This act highlights God's sovereignty over nations and His faithfulness in safeguarding His people, even in the face of human vulnerability and potential retaliation following the Shechem incident.

Genesis 35 5 Context

Genesis 35:5 is situated in a crucial period of Jacob's life, following God's instruction for him to return to Bethel and build an altar there (Gen 35:1). This divine command came after the profoundly disturbing incident at Shechem, detailed in Genesis 34. In Shechem, Jacob's sons, Simeon and Levi, orchestrated a massacre of the male inhabitants in brutal retaliation for the defilement of their sister Dinah. This vengeful act left Jacob and his family vulnerable, having alienated and incensed the powerful Canaanite and Perizzite peoples dwelling in the land. Jacob himself expressed concern, saying, "I am few in number, and if they gather themselves against me and attack me, I shall be destroyed, I and my household" (Gen 34:30). The historical and cultural context underscores the extreme danger Jacob's small clan faced; in a world without formal justice systems, blood revenge was common, and such a grievous affront would typically invite swift and overwhelming retribution from neighboring cities or confederations. It is against this backdrop of imminent danger that Genesis 35:5 presents God's direct, supernatural intervention, making it possible for Jacob to proceed on his commanded journey to Bethel without being pursued or attacked. This verse also implicitly stands as a polemic against polytheistic or localistic views of deity, powerfully asserting that Jacob's God, Yahweh, is sovereign over all lands and peoples, able to impose His will and protect His covenant lineage even over those who do not worship Him.

Genesis 35 5 Word analysis

• As they journeyed (וַיִּסְעוּ, vayyis'u): Literally, "and they traveled/pulled up stakes." This emphasizes Jacob's obedience to God's command to go to Bethel. The active state of travel highlights their inherent vulnerability, as nomads are often targets. It signifies movement directed by divine instruction.
• a terror (חִתַּת, ḥittat): Derived from ḥittah meaning "dread, panic, dismay." This is not ordinary human fear, but a profound, incapacitating psychological state, specifically described as having a divine source. It signifies an overwhelming, God-infused sense of panic and helplessness that paralyzes action.
• from God (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): This absolute plural name for God signifies His supreme power and universal sovereignty, not limited by territory or people group. It clearly indicates that the terror was supernaturally orchestrated by the one true Creator God, distinguishing it from any natural fear or local deity's influence. It stresses the divine origin of the protection.
• fell upon (הָיְתָה, hayetah): Literally, "came to be" or "was." In this context, it implies that the terror became present and active upon them. It can also connote "to happen" or "to become." The meaning suggests a sudden, all-encompassing, and effective imposition of this fear.
• the cities (הֶעָרִים, he'arim): Plural, denoting multiple settlements and populations surrounding Jacob's caravan. This signifies a widespread and collective impact of the divine terror, rather than just isolated incidents or specific groups.
• all around them (מִסָּבִיב לָהֶם, missaviv lahem): Specifies the geographic scope of the terror's influence, encompassing all potential enemies in the region. This highlights the comprehensiveness of God's protective reach. Jacob was potentially surrounded, but God's fear spread further.
• so that they did not pursue (וְלֹא רָדְפוּ, velo ra·d'fu): The desired and accomplished outcome of God's action. The verb radaph means "to pursue, chase," often in a hostile, aggressive manner. The negation confirms that no retaliatory action was taken. This shows the efficacy of God's intervention; human pursuit was completely prevented.
• the sons of Jacob (אַחֲרֵי בְנֵי יַעֲקֹב, aḥarey bnei Ya'akov): Specifies the target of protection – Jacob's offspring, the very lineage through whom God's covenant promises would be fulfilled. Despite their recent violent actions at Shechem, God still protected them, highlighting His commitment to His chosen people and covenant, rather than human merit.

Words-group analysis

• "a terror from God fell upon the cities all around them": This phrase describes the divine, supernatural act of protection. It emphasizes that the agency of this terror is God Himself, not a natural phenomenon or a result of human strategy. The phrase clearly asserts God's sovereign control over the minds and wills of people, transcending their own intentions or regional allegiances. This incapacitating fear was a direct result of His power, applied comprehensively to all potential aggressors, preventing any form of attack against His people.
• "so that they did not pursue the sons of Jacob": This phrase succinctly states the perfect effectiveness and specific purpose of the divine terror. It was not random or generic fear, but precisely targeted to ensure Jacob's family could complete their commanded journey unmolested. It underscores God's perfect plan and unfailing execution, ensuring the continuation of His redemptive purposes through the patriarchal line, despite human folly and peril.

Genesis 35 5 Bonus section

• The immediate preceding context of Genesis 35:2-4 shows Jacob requiring his household to purify themselves and put away foreign gods. This spiritual obedience on Jacob's part might be implicitly linked to the subsequent physical protection from God. It suggests that while God's protection is ultimately gracious, acts of obedience and cleansing can accompany His favor.
• This act of divine terror parallels later instances in Israel's history, where God would put "dread and fear" (Deut 2:25, Exod 23:27) upon their enemies, facilitating their conquest of Canaan or protecting them in vulnerable moments. It establishes a pattern of God fighting for His people.
• The emphasis on "God" (Elohim) rather than "the LORD" (Yahweh) might suggest God's universal power operating on those who may not know Him directly, demonstrating His control over all humanity, even outside the specific covenant relationship.
• The fact that no human counter-action from Jacob was necessary emphasizes that the safety was entirely God's doing, underscoring His sovereignty and making His grace clear.

Genesis 35 5 Commentary

Genesis 35:5 beautifully illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereign power in preserving His covenant people. Following the bloody incident at Shechem, Jacob's family faced legitimate threats of retaliation from the angered Canaanite and Perizzite inhabitants. Humanly speaking, they were extremely vulnerable and virtually indefensible. However, in an act of direct divine intervention, God Himself orchestrated a "terror" that seized the surrounding populations, effectively paralyzing their will and capacity to pursue or attack Jacob's caravan. This "terror from God" was a supernatural deterrent, showcasing that God did not need human strength or strategy to protect His own, but could use unseen spiritual forces or psychological impact to fulfill His will. It underlines that God is the true guardian of His promises and His chosen lineage, capable of overriding human plans and natural hostilities to achieve His divine objectives. This instance served as a foundational example of God's providential care for Israel throughout its history, confirming that His plans cannot be thwarted by human enmity.