New International VersionAfter Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him.
New Living TranslationNow that Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again at Bethel. God blessed him,
English Standard VersionGod appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him.
Berean Standard BibleAfter Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him.
King James BibleAnd God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.
New King James VersionThen God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him.
New American Standard BibleThen God appeared to Jacob again when he came from Paddan-aram, and He blessed him.
NASB 1995Then God appeared to Jacob again when he came from Paddan-aram, and He blessed him.
NASB 1977Then God appeared to Jacob again when he came from Paddan-aram, and He blessed him.
Legacy Standard BibleThen God appeared to Jacob again when he came from Paddan-aram, and He blessed him.
Amplified BibleThen God [in a visible manifestation] appeared to Jacob again when he came out of Paddan-aram, and declared a blessing on him.
Christian Standard BibleGod appeared to Jacob again after he returned from Paddan-aram, and he blessed him.
Holman Christian Standard BibleGod appeared to Jacob again after he returned from Paddan-aram, and He blessed him.
American Standard VersionAnd God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him.
English Revised VersionAnd God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThen God appeared once more to Jacob after he came back from Paddan Aram, and he blessed him.
Good News TranslationWhen Jacob returned from Mesopotamia, God appeared to him again and blessed him.
International Standard VersionGod appeared again to Jacob after he had arrived from Paddan-aram and blessed him.
NET BibleGod appeared to Jacob again after he returned from Paddan Aram and blessed him.
New Heart English BibleAnd God appeared to Jacob again after he returned from Paddan Aram, and blessed him.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd God appeared to Jacob again when he came out of Padan-aram; and blessed him. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAfter Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him.
World English BibleGod appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Paddan Aram, and blessed him. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd God appears to Jacob again, in his coming from Padan-Aram, and blesses him;
Young's Literal Translation And God appeareth unto Jacob again, in his coming from Padan-Aram, and blesseth him;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd God will be seen to Jacob yet again in his going from Padan Aram; and he will bless him. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd God appeared again to Jacob, after he returned from Mesopotamia of Syria, and he blessed him,
Catholic Public Domain VersionThen God appeared again to Jacob, after he returned from Mesopotamia of Syria, and he blessed him,
New American BibleOn Jacob’s arrival from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him.
New Revised Standard VersionGod appeared to Jacob again when he came from Paddan-aram, and he blessed him. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Padan-aram, and blessed him.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd God was revealed again to Yaquuv when he came from Padan d'Aram and he blessed him. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and blessed him.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd God appeared to Jacob once more in Luza, when he came out of Mesopotamia of Syria, and God blessed him.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Jacob is Named Israel9After Jacob had returnedfromPaddan-aram,Godappearedtohimagainand blessedhim.10And God said to him, “Though your name is Jacob, you will no longer be called Jacob. Instead, your name will be Israel.” So God named him Israel.…
Cross References Genesis 17:1-8When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless. / I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly.” / Then Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, ...
Genesis 28:13-15And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. / Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
Genesis 32:28Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed.”
Genesis 12:1-3Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you. / I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. / I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and all the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”
Genesis 46:2-4And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob. / “I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. / I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back. And Joseph’s own hands will close your eyes.”
Exodus 3:6Then He said, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” At this, Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Exodus 6:2-3God also told Moses, “I am the LORD. / I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by My name the LORD I did not make Myself known to them.
Isaiah 43:1But now, this is what the LORD says—He who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine!
Isaiah 44:2This is the word of the LORD, your Maker, who formed you from the womb and who will help you: “Do not be afraid, O Jacob My servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
Hosea 12:4-5Yes, he struggled with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor; he found Him at Bethel and spoke with Him there— / the LORD God of Hosts, the LORD is His name of renown.
Acts 7:2-3And Stephen declared: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran, / and told him, ‘Leave your country and your kindred and go to the land I will show you.’
Acts 3:13The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified His servant Jesus. You handed Him over and rejected Him before Pilate, even though he had decided to release Him.
Romans 9:6-8It is not as though God’s word has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. / Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring.
Romans 4:13-17For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not given through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. / For if those who live by the law are heirs, faith is useless and the promise is worthless, / because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law, there is no transgression. ...
Galatians 3:16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say, “and to seeds,” meaning many, but “and to your seed,” meaning One, who is Christ.
Treasury of Scripture And God appeared to Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him. Genesis 12:7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, Iam the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Genesis 18:1 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; Jump to Previous AppearedAppearethAramBlessedBlessethBlessingJacobPadanaramPadan-AramPaddanPaddan-AramWayJump to Next AppearedAppearethAramBlessedBlessethBlessingJacobPadanaramPadan-AramPaddanPaddan-AramWayGenesis 35 1.God commands Jacob to go to Bethel.2.He purges his house of idols.6.He builds an altar at Bethel.8.Deborah dies at Allon Bacuth.9.God blesses Jacob at Bethel.10.Jacob Named Israel.16.Rachel travails of Benjamin, and dies in the way to Edar.22.Reuben lies with Bilhah.23.The sons of Jacob.27.Jacob comes to Isaac at Hebron.28.The age, death, and burial of Isaac.After Jacob had returned from Paddan-aramJacob's return from Paddan-aram marks the end of a significant chapter in his life, where he spent approximately 20 years. Paddan-aram, located in the region of Mesopotamia, was where Jacob fled to escape his brother Esau's wrath and where he married Leah and Rachel. This return signifies a fulfillment of God's promise to bring Jacob back to the land of his fathers ( Genesis 28:15). It also represents a transition from a period of exile and servitude under Laban to a time of establishing his own household in the Promised Land. God appeared to him again
This appearance of God to Jacob is a theophany, a visible manifestation of God to a human. It is significant because it reaffirms the covenant relationship between God and Jacob. The use of "again" indicates that this is not the first encounter Jacob has had with God; previous encounters include the dream at Bethel (Genesis 28:12-15) and the wrestling with God at Peniel (Genesis 32:24-30). These divine encounters underscore God's ongoing guidance and presence in Jacob's life. and blessed him
The blessing from God is a reaffirmation of the Abrahamic covenant, which includes promises of land, descendants, and blessing to all nations through his lineage (Genesis 12:1-3). This blessing is not just a personal favor but a continuation of God's redemptive plan through Jacob's family line, which ultimately leads to the coming of Jesus Christ, a descendant of Jacob. The blessing also serves as a divine endorsement of Jacob's role as the patriarch of the Israelite nation, reinforcing his new identity as Israel, which means "he struggles with God" (Genesis 32:28). Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe central figure in this passage, Jacob is the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the grandson of Abraham. He is a patriarch of the Israelites and is later named Israel by God. 2. GodThe divine being who appears to Jacob, reaffirming His covenant and blessing upon Jacob and his descendants. 3. Paddan-aramA region in Mesopotamia where Jacob had lived for many years, working for his uncle Laban and marrying Leah and Rachel. 4. BethelAlthough not mentioned directly in this verse, Bethel is the location where God appears to Jacob. It is a significant place in Jacob's life, where he previously had a vision of a ladder reaching to heaven. 5. BlessingThe act of God bestowing favor and promise upon Jacob, continuing the covenant made with Abraham and Isaac. Teaching Points God's FaithfulnessGod's appearance to Jacob reaffirms His unwavering commitment to His promises. Despite Jacob's imperfections, God remains faithful to His covenant. Transformation and RenewalJacob's return to Bethel and God's blessing signify a renewal of his relationship with God. This teaches us the importance of returning to our spiritual roots and seeking God's presence. The Importance of PlaceBethel serves as a physical reminder of God's promises and past encounters. We should create and honor spaces in our lives where we can meet with God. Blessing as ResponsibilityGod's blessing is not just a gift but a responsibility. Jacob is called to live in a way that honors the covenant and reflects God's character. God's Presence in TransitionJacob's journey from Paddan-aram to Bethel symbolizes life's transitions. God's presence and blessing guide us through changes and uncertainties. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Genesis 35:9?
2.How does Genesis 35:9 demonstrate God's faithfulness to Jacob's lineage?
3.What significance does God's appearance to Jacob hold in Genesis 35:9?
4.How does Genesis 35:9 connect to God's promises in Genesis 28:13-15?
5.How can we recognize God's blessings in our lives, as seen in Genesis 35:9?
6.What steps can we take to remain faithful, inspired by Genesis 35:9?
7.How does Genesis 35:9 demonstrate God's covenant with Jacob?
8.Why does God reaffirm Jacob's name change in Genesis 35:9?
9.What is the significance of God appearing to Jacob again in Genesis 35:9?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Genesis 35?
11.(Genesis 35:9–10) Why does God reaffirm Jacob’s name to Israel here, even though it was already changed in Genesis 32:28?
12.(Genesis 35:22) Why is Reuben’s act with Bilhah mentioned only briefly here, and does it conflict with other passages describing moral or legal consequences?
13.Who were the 12 tribes of Israel?
14.Who is Jacob, also known as Israel?What Does Genesis 35:9 Mean After Jacob had returned from Paddan-aramJacob’s twenty years in Paddan-aram (Genesis 31:38) ended when God told him, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you” (Genesis 31:3). Coming back to Bethel shows: • Obedience—he followed the divine directive first given at Bethel (Genesis 28:15). • Separation from the past—before moving he buried household idols under the oak at Shechem (Genesis 35:2-4), a decisive break with Laban’s world. • Re-entry into promise—stepping again onto covenant ground parallels Abraham’s journey of faith (Genesis 12:4-7). This return reminds us that God’s plans often include seasons of discipline and preparation away from our desired destination, yet He faithfully brings His people home (Deuteronomy 30:3;Hosea 11:1).
God appeared to him againThe word “again” points back to earlier encounters—Bethel (Genesis 28:13-15) and Peniel (Genesis 32:30). Each appearance came at critical moments, assuring Jacob of divine presence: • Before exile: promise given. • During crisis with Esau: protection affirmed. • After obedience: promise confirmed. Genesis 35:9 shows God initiating relationship; Jacob does not summon God—God graciously draws near, just as He appeared to Abraham in key transitions (Genesis 17:1;Acts 7:2). The continuity of these theophanies underlines that “I am with you” (Genesis 28:15) is not a one-time pledge but a living reality (Joshua 1:5;Hebrews 13:5).
and blessed himBlessing is more than kind words; it is the effective transmission of God’s covenant favor. Immediately afterward, God expands the blessing (Genesis 35:11-12): • Identity—“Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” • Fruitfulness—“Be fruitful and multiply; a nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you.” • Inheritance—“The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you and to your descendants after you.” These elements echo earlier promises (Genesis 12:2-3; 28:3-4) and anticipate future fulfillment in the nation Israel (Exodus 1:7;2 Samuel 7:12-16). They also foreshadow the ultimate Seed through whom “all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Galatians 3:16).
summaryGenesis 35:9 captures a pivotal moment: Jacob’s obedient return, God’s gracious reappearance, and the reaffirmation of covenant blessing. The verse assures believers that when God calls us back to His appointed place, He meets us there, renews His promises, and empowers us to walk in the fullness of His favor. (9) When he came out of Padan-aram.--The word "out" is not in the Hebrew, which says, on his coming from--that is, on his arrival at Beth-el from Padan-aram. The insertion of the word "out" lends to a confusion with the revelation recorded in Genesis 31:3. At Beth-el Jacob, when going forth, had seen the dream which assured him of Divine protection; at Beth-el, on his return, God renews the covenant, confirms to him the name of Israel, and transfers to him the promises of a numerous seed and of the possession of the land. It was the ratification to him of the inheritance of all the hopes and assurances given to Abraham. Verses 9, 10. - And God appeared unto Jacob again, - this was a visible manifestation, m contrast to the audible one in Shechem (ver. 1), and in a state of wakefulness (ver. 13), as distinguished from the dream vision formerly beheld at Bethel ( Genesis 28:12) - when he came (or had come) out of Padan-aram (as previously he had appeared to the patriarch on going into Padan-aram), and blessed him - i.e. renewed the promises of the covenant, of which he was the heir. And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: - or Supplanter ( videGenesis 25:26). Lange reads, Is thy name Jacob? - thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel ( videGenesis 32:28) shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel. The renewal of the name given at Peniel may possibly indicate a revival in the spiritual life of Jacob, which had been declining in the interval between the former interview with God and the present (Murphy), but was probably designed as a confirmation of the former interview with God, and of the experience through which he then passed. Cf. the twice-given name of Peter ( John 1:42; Matthew 16:16-19).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew After [Jacob] had returnedבְּבֹא֖וֹ(bə·ḇō·’ōw)Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, gofromמִפַּדַּ֣ן(mip·pad·dan)Preposition
Strong's HebrewPaddan-aram,אֲרָ֑ם(’ă·rām)Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6307:Paddan-aram -- the place where Rachel diedGodאֱלֹהִ֤ים(’ĕ·lō·hîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlativeappearedוַיֵּרָ֨א(way·yê·rā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7200:To seetoאֶֽל־(’el-)Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, to[him]יַעֲקֹב֙(ya·‘ă·qōḇ)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3290:Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his descagainע֔וֹד(‘ō·wḏ)Adverb
Strong's 5750:Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, moreand blessedוַיְבָ֖רֶךְ(way·ḇā·reḵ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1288:To kneel, to bless God, man, to cursehim.אֹתֽוֹ׃(’ō·ṯōw)Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative case
Links Genesis 35:9 NIVGenesis 35:9 NLTGenesis 35:9 ESVGenesis 35:9 NASBGenesis 35:9 KJV
Genesis 35:9 BibleApps.comGenesis 35:9 Biblia ParalelaGenesis 35:9 Chinese BibleGenesis 35:9 French BibleGenesis 35:9 Catholic Bible
OT Law: Genesis 35:9 God appeared to Jacob again when he (Gen. Ge Gn) |
