There Jacob built an altarJacob's act of building an altar signifies a moment of worship and dedication to God. Altars in the Old Testament were places of sacrifice and communion with God, often marking significant encounters with the divine. This act reflects Jacob's obedience to God's command to return to Bethel (
Genesis 35:1) and his desire to honor God for His faithfulness. Altars were central to the patriarchal worship practices, serving as tangible reminders of God's presence and promises.
and he called that place El-bethel
The name "El-bethel" means "God of Bethel." This naming underscores the importance of the location as a place where God had previously revealed Himself to Jacob (Genesis 28:19). Naming places after divine encounters was a common practice, serving as a memorial for future generations. It highlights the personal relationship between Jacob and God, emphasizing God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises.
because it was there that God had revealed Himself to Jacob
This phrase refers to Jacob's earlier encounter with God at Bethel, where he dreamt of a ladder reaching to heaven and received God's promises (Genesis 28:10-22). The revelation was a pivotal moment in Jacob's life, marking the beginning of his personal relationship with God. It signifies God's initiative in revealing Himself to humanity and His ongoing guidance and protection over Jacob's life.
as he fled from his brother
This context refers to Jacob's flight from Esau, who sought to kill him after Jacob deceived him out of his birthright and blessing (Genesis 27:41-45). The mention of this flight highlights God's protection and providence during a time of fear and uncertainty for Jacob. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to fulfill His purposes despite human conflict and sin. This narrative also foreshadows the reconciliation between Jacob and Esau, illustrating themes of forgiveness and restoration.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JacobThe patriarch who built the altar at El-bethel. He is a central figure in Genesis, known for his journey of faith and transformation.
2.
El-bethelThe name Jacob gave to the place where he built the altar. "El-bethel" means "God of Bethel," signifying the divine encounter Jacob had at this location.
3.
GodThe divine being who revealed Himself to Jacob, affirming His covenant and presence in Jacob's life.
4.
BethelA significant location in Jacob's life, previously named Luz, where he had a vision of a ladder reaching to heaven (Genesis 28).
5.
EsauJacob's brother, from whom Jacob was fleeing when he first encountered God at Bethel.
Teaching Points
The Importance of RemembranceJacob's act of building an altar serves as a physical reminder of God's faithfulness and presence. In our lives, we should establish practices that help us remember God's work and promises.
Encountering God in Times of DistressJust as God revealed Himself to Jacob during a time of fear and uncertainty, we can trust that God is present in our own times of distress, offering guidance and reassurance.
The Significance of NamesNaming the place "El-bethel" reflects Jacob's recognition of God's presence and sovereignty. We should be mindful of how we acknowledge God's role in our lives.
Returning to Sacred PlacesJacob's return to Bethel signifies the importance of revisiting places or moments where we have experienced God's presence, to renew our faith and commitment.
Building Altars in Our LivesWhile we may not build physical altars, we can create spiritual markers through prayer, worship, and testimony, to honor God's work in our lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Genesis 35:7?
2.How does Genesis 35:7 demonstrate God's faithfulness in Jacob's life journey?
3.Why is building an altar significant in Genesis 35:7 for worship practices today?
4.How does Genesis 35:7 connect with God's promises in Genesis 28:13-15?
5.What lessons from Genesis 35:7 can we apply to our worship of God?
6.How does Jacob's action in Genesis 35:7 reflect obedience to God's commands?
7.Why did Jacob build an altar in Genesis 35:7?
8.What is the significance of God revealing Himself to Jacob in Genesis 35:7?
9.How does Genesis 35:7 reflect God's covenant with Jacob?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 35?
11.What is Bethel's significance in the Bible?
12.What are the names and meanings of Israel's twelve tribes?
13.What is Bethel's significance in the Bible?
14.(Genesis 35:1) How can we verify historically or archeologically that Bethel existed as described here?What Does Genesis 35:7 Mean
There Jacob built an altar• Jacob obeys God’s call to return to Bethel (Genesis 35:1) and immediately responds with worship, just as his grandfather Abraham did when God appeared to him (Genesis 12:7; 26:25).
• Altars in Genesis mark decisive moments of covenant and gratitude—Noah after the flood (Genesis 8:20); Isaac at Beersheba (Genesis 26:25); Jacob earlier at Shechem (Genesis 33:20).
• Building this altar shows that Jacob understands every victory—safe travel, protection from surrounding cities (Genesis 35:5)—comes from the Lord, echoingExodus 20:24 where God promises His presence where an altar is raised to Him.
and he called that place El-bethel• Naming places after divine encounters preserves the memory of God’s work for future generations, just as Jacob did earlier at Bethel (Genesis 28:19) and Moses at Rephidim (Exodus 17:15).
• By publicly naming the site, Jacob invites his household and all who will hear the story to recognize God’s faithfulness—much like Samuel later erects a memorial stone called Ebenezer (1 Samuel 7:12).
• The repetition of the name Bethel in Jacob’s life (Genesis 35:15) underlines its significance as a spiritual anchor point: God met him here at the beginning of his journey and now again on his return.
because it was there that God had revealed Himself to Jacob•Genesis 28:12-17 records God’s first revelation at Bethel—the ladder reaching to heaven, angels ascending and descending, and the Lord standing above, assuring Jacob of covenant promises.
• Decades later, Jacob can testify that God has kept every word: protection abroad (Genesis 31:5, 42) and a safe return to Canaan (Genesis 32:10).
• Repeated revelation highlights God’s patience and persistence; though Jacob’s walk was imperfect, God remained steadfast (cf.Deuteronomy 7:9;Psalm 105:8).
as he fled from his brother• The mention of flight recalls the bitter family conflict ignited by Jacob’s deception of Isaac and Esau (Genesis 27:41-43).
• God met Jacob at his lowest point—lonely, fearful, and running for his life (Genesis 28:10-11). Now, years later, God meets him again after reconciling with Esau (Genesis 33:4); the memory of divine mercy brackets Jacob’s entire exile.
• Scripture often reminds believers of past deliverance to fuel present faith: Israel’s Exodus (Deuteronomy 15:15) and David’s rescue from lions and bears before facing Goliath (1 Samuel 17:37).
summaryGenesis 35:7 shows Jacob intentionally memorializing God’s faithfulness. He raises an altar to declare, “The Lord brought me full circle.” By naming the spot El-bethel, he marks it as a perpetual reminder that the God who revealed Himself in Jacob’s darkest hour is the same God worthy of worship and trust today.
(7)
El-beth-el.--That is,
the God of the house of God:the God into whose house he had been admitted, and seen there the wonders of His providence.
God appeared.--The verb here, contrary to rule, is plural (see Note onGenesis 20:13), but the Samaritan Pentateuch has the singular. No argument can be drawn either way from the versions, as the word for God is singular in them all, and the verb necessarily singular also. In no other language but Hebrew is the name of God plural, but joined with verbs and adjectives in the singular.
Verse 7. -
And he built there an altar, - thus redeeming his vow (cf.
Ecclesiastes 5:4) -
and called the place El-beth-el: -
i.e. God of Bethel. Not he called the place of God, or the place sacred to God, Bethel (Michaelis, 'Suppl.,' p. 2174), nor he called the altar (Keil, Kalisch, Gerlach, etc.), but he called the place where the altar was El-beth-el;
i.e. either he devoted the place as sacred to the El of Bethel (Rosenmüller), or he gave to the place the name of (so. the place of) the El of Bethel, reading the first El as a genitive (Lange); or he called it El-Beth-el metaphorically, as Jerusalem afterwards was styled Jehovah Tsidkenu (
Jeremiah 33:16) and Jehovah Shammah (
Ezekiel 48:35; Inglis). It has been proposed, after the LXX., to avoid the seeming incongruity of assigning such a name to a place, to read, he invoked upon the place the El of Bethel (Quarry, p. 513) -
because there God appeared unto him, - the El of Bethel was Jehovah (
videGenesis 28:13;
Genesis 31:13) -
when he fled from the face of his brother.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Thereשָׁם֙(šām)Adverb
Strong's 8033:There, then, thitherJacob builtוַיִּ֤בֶן(way·yi·ḇen)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1129:To buildan altar,מִזְבֵּ֔חַ(miz·bê·aḥ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196:An altarand he calledוַיִּקְרָא֙(way·yiq·rā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121:To call, proclaim, readthat placeלַמָּק֔וֹם(lam·mā·qō·wm)Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725:A standing, a spot, a conditionEl-bethel,אֵ֖ל(’êl)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 410:Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almightybecauseכִּ֣י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionit was thereשָׁ֗ם(šām)Adverb
Strong's 8033:There, then, thitherthat Godהָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים(hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativehad revealed Himselfנִגְל֤וּ(niḡ·lū)Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1540:To denude, to exile, to revealto himאֵלָיו֙(’ê·lāw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, toas he fledבְּבָרְח֖וֹ(bə·ḇā·rə·ḥōw)Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1272:To bolt, to flee suddenlyfromמִפְּנֵ֥י(mip·pə·nê)Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The facehis brother.אָחִֽיו׃(’ā·ḥîw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251:A brother, )
Links
Genesis 35:7 NIVGenesis 35:7 NLTGenesis 35:7 ESVGenesis 35:7 NASBGenesis 35:7 KJV
Genesis 35:7 BibleApps.comGenesis 35:7 Biblia ParalelaGenesis 35:7 Chinese BibleGenesis 35:7 French BibleGenesis 35:7 Catholic Bible
OT Law: Genesis 35:7 He built an altar there and called (Gen. Ge Gn) 
