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Genesis 35:9-15

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

9. And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him. 10. And God said unto him, Thy name [is] Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel. 11. And God said unto him, I [am] God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins; 12. And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land. 13. And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him. 14. And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, [even] a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon. 15. And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel.

Genesis 35:9-15 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Genesis 35:9

Theological / Devotional

God appeared unto Jacob. This was a visible manifestation in contrast to the audible one at Shechem (v. 1). The word “again,” with the additional clause, “when he came out of Padan-aram,” implies an earlier revelation. This may be a reference to the first appearance of God to Jacob at Bethel in a dream. If so, the word “again” emphasizes the fact that Jacob received two divine manifestations at Bethel, one on his journey to Padan-aram and the second upon his return to the same spot. Support for this view lies in the fact that vs. 11 and 12 repeat the blessing first given to Jacob in his dream at Bethel (ch. 28:13, 14). It is also possible that the appearance of God to him at Peniel is considered by Moses as the first one of the two, which would make two visible revelations of God since his return from Padan-aram. Mention of the change of name from Jacob to Israel on both of these occasions favors the latter view.

By SdaBc