Genesis 33:20 - He erected an altar there, and called it El Elohe Israel.
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What does "Genesis 33:20" mean?
Genesis 33:20 reads: "And he erected there an altar, and called it El Elohe Israel."
Let's break down the meaning of this verse:
"He erected an altar there": This refers to Jacob building an altar. Altars in the ancient world were places of sacrifice and worship, signifying a recognition of and connection with a deity. By building an altar, Jacob was publicly acknowledging God and establishing a place to commune with Him.
"and called it El Elohe Israel": This is the crucial part. It's a Hebrew phrase:
El (אֵל): This is a common Semitic word for God. It emphasizes God's might and power.
Elohe (אֱלֹהֵי): This is the plural form of Eloah, another word for God. The plural here is often interpreted as a plural of majesty or plural of intensification, signifying God's greatness and fullness. It emphasizes God's divinity and rulership.
Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל): This is Jacob's new name given to him by God after he wrestled with a divine being (Genesis 32:28). It means "God strives" or "He who struggles with God."
Putting it all together, "El Elohe Israel" translates to something like:
"God, the God of Israel"
"The Mighty God is the God of Israel"
"God, the God who is worshipped by/rules over Israel"
Significance:
Acknowledgement and Worship: Jacob, after a long and eventful journey back to the Promised Land, acknowledges God's presence and guidance. The altar and its name serve as a public declaration of his faith.
Relationship with God: The name of the altar highlights the personal and covenantal relationship between God and Jacob (now Israel). It's not just any God, but the God specifically connected to Israel.
Identity: The name reinforces Jacob's new identity as Israel. He's not just a man, but a patriarch of a people chosen by God. The altar serves as a reminder of his encounter with God and his transformation.
Promise: By calling the altar "El Elohe Israel," Jacob is also affirming God's promise to be with him and his descendants.
Memory: It becomes a place of memorial, a place to remember God's faithfulness.
In essence, this verse signifies Jacob's recognition of God's power, his establishment of a worshipping community at that place, and the affirmation of the covenant between God and Israel. It highlights God's faithfulness to Jacob and his descendants, solidifying their identity as a chosen people with a unique relationship with the divine. The verse marks a significant moment of reconciliation, homecoming, and devotion in Jacob's life.
Genesis 33:20 - He erected an altar there, and called it El Elohe Israel.
What does "Genesis 33:20" mean?
Genesis 33:20 reads: "And he erected there an altar, and called it El Elohe Israel."
Let's break down the meaning of this verse:
"He erected an altar there": This refers to Jacob building an altar. Altars in the ancient world were places of sacrifice and worship, signifying a recognition of and connection with a deity. By building an altar, Jacob was publicly acknowledging God and establishing a place to commune with Him.
"and called it El Elohe Israel": This is the crucial part. It's a Hebrew phrase:
El (אֵל): This is a common Semitic word for God. It emphasizes God's might and power.
Elohe (אֱלֹהֵי): This is the plural form of Eloah, another word for God. The plural here is often interpreted as a plural of majesty or plural of intensification, signifying God's greatness and fullness. It emphasizes God's divinity and rulership.
Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל): This is Jacob's new name given to him by God after he wrestled with a divine being (Genesis 32:28). It means "God strives" or "He who struggles with God."
Putting it all together, "El Elohe Israel" translates to something like:
"God, the God of Israel"
"The Mighty God is the God of Israel"
"God, the God who is worshipped by/rules over Israel"
Significance:
Acknowledgement and Worship: Jacob, after a long and eventful journey back to the Promised Land, acknowledges God's presence and guidance. The altar and its name serve as a public declaration of his faith.
Relationship with God: The name of the altar highlights the personal and covenantal relationship between God and Jacob (now Israel). It's not just any God, but the God specifically connected to Israel.
Identity: The name reinforces Jacob's new identity as Israel. He's not just a man, but a patriarch of a people chosen by God. The altar serves as a reminder of his encounter with God and his transformation.
Promise: By calling the altar "El Elohe Israel," Jacob is also affirming God's promise to be with him and his descendants.
Memory: It becomes a place of memorial, a place to remember God's faithfulness.
In essence, this verse signifies Jacob's recognition of God's power, his establishment of a worshipping community at that place, and the affirmation of the covenant between God and Israel. It highlights God's faithfulness to Jacob and his descendants, solidifying their identity as a chosen people with a unique relationship with the divine. The verse marks a significant moment of reconciliation, homecoming, and devotion in Jacob's life.