Genesis 35:20 - Jacob set up a pillar on her grave. The same is the Pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day.
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What does "Genesis 35:20" mean?
Genesis 35:20 describes Jacob erecting a pillar (a memorial marker, often a large stone) on Rachel's grave. The verse emphasizes the permanence of this marker by stating, "The same is the Pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day." This simple statement carries several layers of meaning:
A Physical Memorial: The most straightforward meaning is that the pillar served as a physical marker, a lasting monument to Rachel's memory. It allowed Jacob and his descendants to remember and honor her.
Jacob's Love and Grief: Building a pillar demonstrates the depth of Jacob's love for Rachel and the grief he felt at her untimely death during childbirth. It was a tangible expression of his emotional bond with her. Rachel was his beloved wife, the one he had worked fourteen years to marry, and losing her was a profound tragedy.
Confirmation of the Burial Site: The verse suggests that the location of Rachel's tomb was known and recognized as such for a considerable period of time. The statement "to this day" indicates that the pillar and the associated grave site continued to be a significant landmark for generations.
A Place of Pilgrimage/Remembrance: Over time, Rachel's Tomb became a place of pilgrimage and a site of prayer for Jewish people. The pillar served as a focal point for remembrance and supplication.
A reminder of Hope and Motherhood: Despite the tragedy of Rachel's death in childbirth, the site can also be seen as a reminder of hope and the continuity of life. Rachel's descendants, including the tribes of Benjamin and Ephraim, carried on her legacy. Rachel is also seen as a symbolic figure representing motherhood.
In essence, Genesis 35:20 is not just a statement about a physical monument; it's a statement about love, loss, memory, and the enduring significance of Rachel in the history and traditions of the Israelites. The very mention of the pillar, centuries after the event, underscores the enduring impact of Rachel's life and death.
Genesis 35:20 - Jacob set up a pillar on her grave. The same is the Pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day.
What does "Genesis 35:20" mean?
Genesis 35:20 describes Jacob erecting a pillar (a memorial marker, often a large stone) on Rachel's grave. The verse emphasizes the permanence of this marker by stating, "The same is the Pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day." This simple statement carries several layers of meaning:
A Physical Memorial: The most straightforward meaning is that the pillar served as a physical marker, a lasting monument to Rachel's memory. It allowed Jacob and his descendants to remember and honor her.
Jacob's Love and Grief: Building a pillar demonstrates the depth of Jacob's love for Rachel and the grief he felt at her untimely death during childbirth. It was a tangible expression of his emotional bond with her. Rachel was his beloved wife, the one he had worked fourteen years to marry, and losing her was a profound tragedy.
Confirmation of the Burial Site: The verse suggests that the location of Rachel's tomb was known and recognized as such for a considerable period of time. The statement "to this day" indicates that the pillar and the associated grave site continued to be a significant landmark for generations.
A Place of Pilgrimage/Remembrance: Over time, Rachel's Tomb became a place of pilgrimage and a site of prayer for Jewish people. The pillar served as a focal point for remembrance and supplication.
A reminder of Hope and Motherhood: Despite the tragedy of Rachel's death in childbirth, the site can also be seen as a reminder of hope and the continuity of life. Rachel's descendants, including the tribes of Benjamin and Ephraim, carried on her legacy. Rachel is also seen as a symbolic figure representing motherhood.
In essence, Genesis 35:20 is not just a statement about a physical monument; it's a statement about love, loss, memory, and the enduring significance of Rachel in the history and traditions of the Israelites. The very mention of the pillar, centuries after the event, underscores the enduring impact of Rachel's life and death.