Genesis 35:9 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Genesis 35:9 kjv
And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.
Genesis 35:9 nkjv
Then God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him.
Genesis 35:9 niv
After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him.
Genesis 35:9 esv
God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him.
Genesis 35:9 nlt
Now that Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again at Bethel. God blessed him,
Genesis 35 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 12:7 | Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring... I will give.” | God appears to Abram, initiates covenant |
| Gen 17:1 | When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared... and said, "I am El Shaddai..." | God appears to Abram, name change, covenant reaffirmed |
| Gen 26:2 | The LORD appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt...” | God appears to Isaac, reaffirms promises |
| Gen 28:3-4 | "May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful..." | Isaac's blessing to Jacob before his journey |
| Gen 28:13 | There above it stood the LORD, and he said, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham..." | God's first appearance to Jacob at Bethel |
| Gen 31:3 | Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers...” | God directs Jacob's return |
| Gen 32:28 | "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God..." | Jacob's name changed after wrestling |
| Gen 32:30 | So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face..." | Another pre-Paddan-aram divine encounter |
| Gen 35:10-12 | God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob... I am God Almighty...” | Immediate re-confirmation and blessing following v.9 |
| Gen 46:3 | "I am God, the God of your father," he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt..." | God appears to Jacob later for Egypt journey |
| Gen 48:3-4 | Jacob said to Joseph, “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me..." | Jacob recalls this specific appearance |
| Num 23:19 | God is not a human being, that he should lie, or a mortal, that he should change his mind. | God's faithfulness to His word and promises |
| Deut 6:3 | Listen, Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you... | Emphasizes Israel's covenant obedience |
| Josh 24:1-13 | Joshua recounts God's covenant faithfulness, including Jacob's journey. | Highlights God's fulfillment of promises to patriarchs |
| Psa 105:8-11 | He remembers his covenant forever... for Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant. | God's eternal remembrance of His covenant |
| Jer 30:10-11 | "Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant,” declares the LORD. “Do not be dismayed, Israel..." | God's promise to be with Jacob/Israel always |
| Hos 12:4-5 | He wrestled with the angel and overcame him... The LORD God Almighty, the LORD is his name! | Echoes Jacob's struggle and encounter |
| Mic 7:20 | You will be true to Jacob, and show mercy to Abraham, as you pledged on oath to our ancestors... | God's unwavering loyalty to His promises and people |
| Gal 3:6-9 | So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”... those who have faith are children of Abraham. | Believers are heirs to the blessing through faith |
| Heb 11:9-10 | By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger... | The Patriarchs lived by faith in God's promises |
| Heb 13:8 | Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. | Reinforces God's unchanging nature, consistency of covenant |
Genesis 35 verses
Genesis 35 9 meaning
Genesis 35:9 describes a pivotal divine encounter where God again appears to Jacob following his return journey from Padan-aram. This appearance is significant because it reaffirms God's covenant promises and blessing upon Jacob, particularly after a period of reconciliation and purification, marking a new chapter in his life as the progenitor of the nation Israel. It highlights God's continuous initiative and faithfulness in fulfilling His purpose for Jacob and his descendants.
Genesis 35 9 Context
Genesis chapter 35 follows a significant period in Jacob's life. He has just returned from Padan-aram (Ch. 31), reconciled with Esau (Ch. 33), and dealt with the traumatic events in Shechem (Ch. 34). God commanded Jacob to go up to Bethel, purify his household, and build an altar (Gen 35:1). Jacob obeyed, removing foreign gods and cleansing his family (Gen 35:2-4). After establishing himself at Bethel and building an altar (Gen 35:5-7), experiencing God's protection and mourning Deborah's death (Gen 35:8), this verse, Gen 35:9, describes a distinct and direct reappearance of God to Jacob. It serves as a divine reaffirmation of covenant promises made to him and his forefathers after Jacob has taken deliberate steps to live in accordance with God's commands.
Genesis 35 9 Word analysis
- And God appeared: (Hebrew: Wa-yera Elohim) This phrase indicates a direct divine initiative. Elohim is a generic name for God, emphasizing His power and transcendence, rather than the covenant name YHWH. The active appearing shows God initiating contact, not waiting for Jacob to seek Him.
- unto Jacob: Specifies the recipient of this significant encounter. Jacob, despite his flaws, is the chosen heir through whom the covenant promises would continue.
- again: (Hebrew: Ężod) This crucial word signifies a repeated action. It explicitly links this encounter back to earlier divine appearances, particularly the first at Bethel (Gen 28:13) and the wrestling match at Peniel (Gen 32:28-30). It underlines God's consistent presence and reaffirmation.
- when he came out of Padanaram: (Hebrew: BÉ™-voĘľo mi-Padanaram) This specifies the exact geographical and temporal context. Padan-aram refers to the Mesopotamian region where Jacob had lived for two decades with Laban. "Coming out" signifies the completion of a long and challenging life phase, symbolizing his journey back to the promised land and covenant inheritance.
- and blessed him: (Hebrew: wa-yevarekh oto) This simple phrase holds profound significance. It indicates a bestowal of divine favor, protection, prosperity, and continuation of the covenant line. The specific details of this blessing immediately follow in Gen 35:10-12, including the reaffirmation of his new name "Israel" and the promises of a multitude of nations and land.
Words-group analysis:
- "And God appeared unto Jacob again": This highlights the sovereign and active nature of God in manifesting Himself to His chosen one. The reiteration of appearance signifies ongoing divine relationship and confirmation.
- "when he came out of Padanaram": This phrase marks a clear chronological and transitional point. It validates Jacob's difficult journey and safe return as being divinely overseen. It means this appearance occurs after Jacob's challenges and repentance have been addressed.
- "and blessed him": This is the culmination of the divine encounter. It’s not just an appearance but a conferral of favor and divine enablement, establishing the foundation for future events concerning Jacob's descendants and the promised land.
Genesis 35 9 Bonus section
This appearance in Genesis 35:9-12 (often considered a single unit due to its immediate continuation) is viewed by many scholars as the definitive re-affirmation of the name change from Jacob to Israel, first mentioned in Genesis 32:28. The repetition of the name change and the specific blessings of fruitfulness, multiplicity, and land, connect this encounter directly to the foundational covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac. It suggests that Jacob has now fully entered into his role as "Israel," ready to father the twelve tribes that will form the nation. The deliberate divine initiative in appearing "again" demonstrates that God’s covenant promises are irrevocable and will be pursued regardless of human circumstances. This serves as a significant marker in salvation history, emphasizing the chosen line through whom the Messiah would eventually come.
Genesis 35 9 Commentary
Genesis 35:9 marks a crucial moment in Jacob's spiritual journey. Following a period of significant trials and Jacob's active purification of his household, God again reveals Himself, emphasizing His faithfulness. This encounter serves not only as a re-confirmation of Jacob's covenant status and his identity as "Israel" but also as a divine seal upon his return to the promised land and his readiness to fully embody the patriarchal role. The blessing bestowed upon him ensures the continuation of the lineage through which God's ultimate redemptive plan for humanity will unfold, cementing the covenant promises made to Abraham and Isaac through Jacob's line. It illustrates God’s persistence in His promises even amidst human failures. For example, like a shepherd who constantly gathers his scattered sheep (Isa 40:11, Matt 18:12-14), God reaffirms His guidance to Jacob who has journeyed back to the fold.