Genesis 35:5 - They traveled, and a terror of God was on the cities that were around them, and they didn’t pursue the sons of Jacob.

Generated Verse: Genesis 35:5

What does "Genesis 35:5" mean?


Genesis 35:5 tells us: "They traveled, and a terror of God was on the cities that were around them, and they didn’t pursue the sons of Jacob."

Here's a breakdown of what it means:

"They traveled...": This refers to Jacob and his family, who were moving after Jacob cleansed his household of foreign gods and idolatry in response to God's command to return to Bethel.

"...a terror of God was on the cities that were around them...": This is the key part of the verse. It signifies that the surrounding cities were filled with fear, not of Jacob and his sons directly, but of God himself. This fear was divinely sent, an act of God's protection over Jacob and his family. It prevented the inhabitants of these cities from attacking or pursuing them.

"...and they didn’t pursue the sons of Jacob.": This is the direct result of the "terror of God." Because the cities were filled with a divine fear, they didn't dare to chase after or harm Jacob and his sons.

In summary, this verse highlights God's protection over Jacob and his family. Even though they might have been vulnerable after the incident in Shechem (Genesis 34), God intervened by instilling fear in the surrounding populations, preventing them from retaliating or causing harm to Jacob's family.

This verse illustrates:

Divine Protection: God's active role in safeguarding those who are obedient to Him.
Awe and Fear of God: The power and respect that God commands, influencing the actions of even those who don't necessarily worship Him.
Consequences of Obedience: Jacob's obedience in cleansing his household led to God's protection.

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