Genesis 35:2 - Then Jacob said to his household, and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, change your garments.
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What does "Genesis 35:2" mean?
This verse from Genesis 35:2 marks a significant moment in Jacob's journey back to Bethel and his renewed commitment to God. Let's break down what it means:
"Then Jacob said to his household, and to all who were with him..." This sets the scene. Jacob is addressing everyone under his authority: his wives, children, servants, and anyone else traveling with him. This implies that the issue is not just about Jacob's personal devotion, but about establishing a proper religious environment for his entire community.
"...Put away the foreign gods that are among you..." This is the core of the command. During Jacob's time with Laban (his uncle and father-in-law), his family had likely acquired idols or religious objects associated with the local beliefs. The "foreign gods" represent religious practices and beliefs that are not aligned with the worship of the one true God. Rachel, for example, had stolen her father's idols when they left (Genesis 31:19), and it's possible others had adopted local customs as well. Jacob is commanding them to get rid of these idols – to physically remove them and symbolically reject the false gods they represent. This is a cleansing of pagan influences and a return to monotheistic worship.
"...Purify yourselves..." This goes beyond simply discarding idols. It's a call for spiritual and possibly physical cleansing. "Purify yourselves" could refer to ritual cleansing practices common in that time, which may have involved washing with water or abstaining from certain activities. It suggests a need for internal cleansing as well: repenting from any involvement with idolatry and renewing their commitment to God.
"...Change your garments." This might seem like a minor detail, but it's symbolic. Changing garments signifies a fresh start, a putting off of the old and a putting on of the new. It's a visual representation of the inner transformation they are undergoing. Clean clothes also would have been associated with ritual purity.
In Summary:
This verse represents Jacob's call for a radical break with pagan influences and a renewed commitment to the God of his fathers, Abraham and Isaac. It's a call for:
Repentance: Acknowledging and turning away from any involvement with other gods.
Cleansing: Purifying themselves both physically and spiritually.
Renewal: Starting afresh, symbolized by the changing of garments, and dedicating themselves to the worship of the one true God.
The significance of this passage lies in Jacob's understanding that true worship requires a complete devotion, free from the influence of other religious beliefs. It sets the stage for his return to Bethel and his renewed relationship with God, which is marked by the renaming of the place and the building of an altar.
Genesis 35:2 - Then Jacob said to his household, and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, change your garments.
What does "Genesis 35:2" mean?
This verse from Genesis 35:2 marks a significant moment in Jacob's journey back to Bethel and his renewed commitment to God. Let's break down what it means:
"Then Jacob said to his household, and to all who were with him..." This sets the scene. Jacob is addressing everyone under his authority: his wives, children, servants, and anyone else traveling with him. This implies that the issue is not just about Jacob's personal devotion, but about establishing a proper religious environment for his entire community.
"...Put away the foreign gods that are among you..." This is the core of the command. During Jacob's time with Laban (his uncle and father-in-law), his family had likely acquired idols or religious objects associated with the local beliefs. The "foreign gods" represent religious practices and beliefs that are not aligned with the worship of the one true God. Rachel, for example, had stolen her father's idols when they left (Genesis 31:19), and it's possible others had adopted local customs as well. Jacob is commanding them to get rid of these idols – to physically remove them and symbolically reject the false gods they represent. This is a cleansing of pagan influences and a return to monotheistic worship.
"...Purify yourselves..." This goes beyond simply discarding idols. It's a call for spiritual and possibly physical cleansing. "Purify yourselves" could refer to ritual cleansing practices common in that time, which may have involved washing with water or abstaining from certain activities. It suggests a need for internal cleansing as well: repenting from any involvement with idolatry and renewing their commitment to God.
"...Change your garments." This might seem like a minor detail, but it's symbolic. Changing garments signifies a fresh start, a putting off of the old and a putting on of the new. It's a visual representation of the inner transformation they are undergoing. Clean clothes also would have been associated with ritual purity.
In Summary:
This verse represents Jacob's call for a radical break with pagan influences and a renewed commitment to the God of his fathers, Abraham and Isaac. It's a call for:
Repentance: Acknowledging and turning away from any involvement with other gods.
Cleansing: Purifying themselves both physically and spiritually.
Renewal: Starting afresh, symbolized by the changing of garments, and dedicating themselves to the worship of the one true God.
The significance of this passage lies in Jacob's understanding that true worship requires a complete devotion, free from the influence of other religious beliefs. It sets the stage for his return to Bethel and his renewed relationship with God, which is marked by the renaming of the place and the building of an altar.