And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.
What does Genesis 35:9 mean?
The comfort the saints have in holy ordinances, is not so much from Beth-el, the house of God, as from El-beth-el, the God of the house. The ordinances are empty things, if we do not meet with God in them.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Genesis 35:9-13 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Genesis 35:9
God appears to Jacob again at Bethel, and renews the promise made to him there Genesis 28:13-14 . Again. The writer here refers to the former meeting of God with Jacob at Bethel, and thereby proves himself cognizant of the fact, and of the record already made of it. "When he went out of Padan-aram." This corroborates the explanation of the clause, Genesis 35:6 , "which is in the land of Kenaan." Bethel was the last point in this land that was noticed in his flight from Esau. His arrival at the same point indicates that he has now returned from Padan-aram to the land of Kenaan. "He called his name Israel.
Key words
- appeared
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And God appeared unto Jacob again,.
- Jacob
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And God appeared unto Jacob again,.
- again
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And God appeared unto Jacob again,.
Context in Genesis 35
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Genesis 35 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as the family line through Isaac and Jacob. Genesis opens the whole Bible with creation, fall, flood, Babel, and the long patriarchal story that carries the reader from Eden to Egypt. Read this chapter with the wider themes of creation, fall, and covenant in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
Related topics
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A collection of passages on hope under pressure, future inheritance, resurrection expectation, and confidence in God’s final faithfulness.
Glossary
- Bethel Place
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House of God. (1. ) A place in Central Palestine, about 10 miles north of Jerusalem, at the head of the pass of Michmash and Ai. It was originally the royal Canaanite city of Luz ( Gen. 28:19 ). Modern identification: Beitin.
- Paddan-aram Place
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A plain, occurring only in Gen. 48:7 , where it designates Padan-aram. Modern identification: Harran.