Genesis 28:19 - He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first.
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What does "Genesis 28:19" mean?
This verse is a simple statement of fact within the larger story of Jacob's dream. Let's break it down to understand its significance:
"He called the name of that place Bethel": This refers to Jacob. After having a dream where he saw a ladder (or stairway) reaching into heaven with angels ascending and descending, and receiving a promise from God, Jacob was deeply moved. He took the stone he had used as a pillow, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on it, consecrating the place. He then named it Bethel.
"but the name of the city was Luz at the first": This clarifies that the location already had a name – Luz – before Jacob renamed it. Luz was the existing Canaanite city at that location.
Therefore, the verse means that Jacob renamed a pre-existing city called Luz to Bethel. It serves as a transition, highlighting the significance of the new name in light of the spiritual experience Jacob had there.
Here's the significance in a bit more detail:
Bethel (בֵּית־אֵל) means "House of God" in Hebrew. Naming the place Bethel was an act of claiming it as a place where God dwelled and manifested himself. It signified a sacred space dedicated to God.
Luz might have had other connotations within the local Canaanite culture, but the Bible doesn't explicitly state them. By replacing the name, Jacob was essentially rededicating the place to the worship of the God of his fathers, Abraham and Isaac.
Transition and Transformation: The verse marks a pivotal moment in Jacob's life. He goes from being a somewhat scheming and self-reliant individual to someone who has had a profound encounter with God. The renaming of the place symbolizes his own transformation and the beginning of his spiritual journey.
Later Significance: Bethel becomes a significant place in Israelite history. It's mentioned multiple times as a site of worship and a place where God revealed himself. So this verse sets up a place that will be important in future stories.
In essence, the verse is not just a geographical detail but a theological statement. It signifies a shift from a pre-existing, possibly pagan association (implied by the fact it had a Canaanite name), to a place consecrated to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. The renaming of the place reflects Jacob's transformed understanding of God's presence in his life and the promise given to him.
Genesis 28:19 - He called the name of that place Bethel, but the name of the city was Luz at the first.
What does "Genesis 28:19" mean?
This verse is a simple statement of fact within the larger story of Jacob's dream. Let's break it down to understand its significance:
"He called the name of that place Bethel": This refers to Jacob. After having a dream where he saw a ladder (or stairway) reaching into heaven with angels ascending and descending, and receiving a promise from God, Jacob was deeply moved. He took the stone he had used as a pillow, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on it, consecrating the place. He then named it Bethel.
"but the name of the city was Luz at the first": This clarifies that the location already had a name – Luz – before Jacob renamed it. Luz was the existing Canaanite city at that location.
Therefore, the verse means that Jacob renamed a pre-existing city called Luz to Bethel. It serves as a transition, highlighting the significance of the new name in light of the spiritual experience Jacob had there.
Here's the significance in a bit more detail:
Bethel (בֵּית־אֵל) means "House of God" in Hebrew. Naming the place Bethel was an act of claiming it as a place where God dwelled and manifested himself. It signified a sacred space dedicated to God.
Luz might have had other connotations within the local Canaanite culture, but the Bible doesn't explicitly state them. By replacing the name, Jacob was essentially rededicating the place to the worship of the God of his fathers, Abraham and Isaac.
Transition and Transformation: The verse marks a pivotal moment in Jacob's life. He goes from being a somewhat scheming and self-reliant individual to someone who has had a profound encounter with God. The renaming of the place symbolizes his own transformation and the beginning of his spiritual journey.
Later Significance: Bethel becomes a significant place in Israelite history. It's mentioned multiple times as a site of worship and a place where God revealed himself. So this verse sets up a place that will be important in future stories.
In essence, the verse is not just a geographical detail but a theological statement. It signifies a shift from a pre-existing, possibly pagan association (implied by the fact it had a Canaanite name), to a place consecrated to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. The renaming of the place reflects Jacob's transformed understanding of God's presence in his life and the promise given to him.