Lectionary Calendar
Saturday, December 21st, 2024
the Third Week of Advent
the Third Week of Advent
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Bible Commentaries
Bridgeway Bible Commentary Bridgeway Bible Commentary
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.
Bibliographical Information
Fleming, Donald C. "Commentary on Genesis 35". "Fleming's Bridgeway Bible Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bbc/genesis-35.html. 2005.
Fleming, Donald C. "Commentary on Genesis 35". "Fleming's Bridgeway Bible Commentary". https://www.studylight.org/
Whole Bible (45)Old Testament (1)Individual Books (4)
Verses 1-15
Back in Canaan (33:18-35:15)
From Succoth Jacob later moved with his household across the Jordan River into Canaan itself and settled in Shechem. By buying a piece of land, he gained permanent possession of part of the land God had promised to him and his descendants (18-20; cf. 23:1-20; 28:1-5).
When the son of a local headman raped Jacob’s daughter Dinah, the headman suggested to Jacob that his son marry Dinah, and that Jacob’s sons marry the local Canaanite women (34:1-12). Jacob’s sons agreed to the intermarriage provided the men of Shechem were first circumcised (13-17). The Shechemites agreed, for they saw the opportunity for economic profit through intermarriage with Jacob’s household (18-24).
But Jacob’s sons deceived the Shechemites. As soon as the Shechemite men were circumcised and not physically in a condition to defend themselves, Jacob’s sons attacked the town, killing the men and plundering their households (25-29). By going too far in taking revenge for the rape of their sister, Jacob’s sons opened the way for further violence (30-31).
God then told Jacob to go to Bethel, where God had appeared to him at the time of his departure from Canaan many years earlier (35:1; cf. 28:11-22; 31:13). First, however, all those with Jacob were to get rid of any idols they had brought with them from Mesopotamia (2-4). In view of the hostility against Jacob and his household after the massacre at Shechem, God gave them his special protection as they travelled (5-8).
At Bethel God renewed his covenant promises to Jacob. The significance of God’s reassurance at this time was that Jacob was now back in the land God had given him, and he had with him the family through whom God’s promises would be fulfilled (9-15; cf. 13:14-16; 17:2).
Verses 16-29
Further details of Jacob’s family (35:16-29)
This section of the history of Israel closes by recording the birth of Jacob’s last son (16-18), the death of Rachel (19-21), the sin of Reuben because of which he lost the birthright (22; cf. 49:4; 1 Chronicles 5:1), the names of Jacob’s twelve sons, who are listed in legal order according to their mothers (23-26), and the death of Isaac (27-29).