Genesis 35:7 - He built an altar there, and called the place El Beth El; because there God was revealed to him, when he fled from the face of his brother.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Genesis 35:7" mean?
This verse, Genesis 35:7, describes a significant event in Jacob's life, marking a place of divine encounter and reinforcing God's promise to him. Let's break it down:
"He built an altar there...": Jacob built an altar as an act of worship and remembrance. Altars were commonly built to commemorate encounters with God and to offer sacrifices.
"...and called the place El Beth El...": This is a compound name. "El" means "God" or "Mighty One," and "Beth El" means "House of God." So, "El Beth El" can be understood as "The God of the House of God" or "God of Bethel."
"...because there God was revealed to him...": This is the core reason for naming the place El Beth El. "Revealed" suggests that God made Himself known to Jacob in a special way at that location. It was a place of divine manifestation and communication.
"...when he fled from the face of his brother.": This refers to the earlier incident in Jacob's life where he deceived his father, Isaac, to obtain the birthright blessing that rightfully belonged to his brother, Esau (Genesis 27). Fearing Esau's wrath and threats, Jacob fled to Haran to live with his uncle Laban (Genesis 28).
In summary:
The verse refers back to the incident recorded in Genesis 28:10-22 where Jacob, fleeing from Esau's anger, had a dream at Bethel (which means "house of God") where God renewed his covenant with him. In that dream, Jacob saw a ladder reaching into heaven with angels ascending and descending, and God promised to bless him and his descendants with the land. Jacob vowed that if God would protect him on his journey and bring him back safely, he would make the place a house of God.
This verse in Genesis 35:7 highlights the reaffirmation of God's presence and promise to Jacob. It's a place of remembering God's faithfulness during a time of crisis (fleeing from Esau). By naming the altar "El Beth El," Jacob acknowledged God's special revelation and renewed his commitment to worship Him at that very spot. God's command to return to Bethel (Genesis 35:1) implies that Jacob was finally fulfilling his vow to the Lord.
The significance of the verse:
Remembering God's faithfulness: It serves as a memorial to God's past faithfulness and protection.
Renewal of Covenant: It represents a renewal of Jacob's covenant with God and his commitment to follow Him.
Divine Encounter: It marks a place of specific divine revelation and communication between God and Jacob.
God's Presence: It underscores God's presence in Jacob's life, even during difficult times.
God's Promise: It is a reminder of God's promise to bless Jacob and his descendants.
In essence, the verse is a powerful statement about God's revelation, protection, and the importance of remembering and honoring Him in places where He has met us. It is significant because Bethel is the place that will become important to Jacob's descendants; it is where God initially promised him the land. It also marks the first act of returning to God after suffering in Haran.
Genesis 35:7 - He built an altar there, and called the place El Beth El; because there God was revealed to him, when he fled from the face of his brother.
What does "Genesis 35:7" mean?
This verse, Genesis 35:7, describes a significant event in Jacob's life, marking a place of divine encounter and reinforcing God's promise to him. Let's break it down:
"He built an altar there...": Jacob built an altar as an act of worship and remembrance. Altars were commonly built to commemorate encounters with God and to offer sacrifices.
"...and called the place El Beth El...": This is a compound name. "El" means "God" or "Mighty One," and "Beth El" means "House of God." So, "El Beth El" can be understood as "The God of the House of God" or "God of Bethel."
"...because there God was revealed to him...": This is the core reason for naming the place El Beth El. "Revealed" suggests that God made Himself known to Jacob in a special way at that location. It was a place of divine manifestation and communication.
"...when he fled from the face of his brother.": This refers to the earlier incident in Jacob's life where he deceived his father, Isaac, to obtain the birthright blessing that rightfully belonged to his brother, Esau (Genesis 27). Fearing Esau's wrath and threats, Jacob fled to Haran to live with his uncle Laban (Genesis 28).
In summary:
The verse refers back to the incident recorded in Genesis 28:10-22 where Jacob, fleeing from Esau's anger, had a dream at Bethel (which means "house of God") where God renewed his covenant with him. In that dream, Jacob saw a ladder reaching into heaven with angels ascending and descending, and God promised to bless him and his descendants with the land. Jacob vowed that if God would protect him on his journey and bring him back safely, he would make the place a house of God.
This verse in Genesis 35:7 highlights the reaffirmation of God's presence and promise to Jacob. It's a place of remembering God's faithfulness during a time of crisis (fleeing from Esau). By naming the altar "El Beth El," Jacob acknowledged God's special revelation and renewed his commitment to worship Him at that very spot. God's command to return to Bethel (Genesis 35:1) implies that Jacob was finally fulfilling his vow to the Lord.
The significance of the verse:
Remembering God's faithfulness: It serves as a memorial to God's past faithfulness and protection.
Renewal of Covenant: It represents a renewal of Jacob's covenant with God and his commitment to follow Him.
Divine Encounter: It marks a place of specific divine revelation and communication between God and Jacob.
God's Presence: It underscores God's presence in Jacob's life, even during difficult times.
God's Promise: It is a reminder of God's promise to bless Jacob and his descendants.
In essence, the verse is a powerful statement about God's revelation, protection, and the importance of remembering and honoring Him in places where He has met us. It is significant because Bethel is the place that will become important to Jacob's descendants; it is where God initially promised him the land. It also marks the first act of returning to God after suffering in Haran.