Genesis 35:21

21 Then Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond * the ¹tower of Eder.

Genesis 35:21 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 35:21

And Israel journeyed
Having stayed near Bethlehem, as it is said, about two months ^F8; this is the first time Jacob is by Moses called Israel, after this name, was given him; the reason of which the Jews say is, because he bore the death of Rachel with so much patience: and spread his tent beyond the tower of Eder;
which was a place of pasturage, and fit for his flocks, see ( Micah 4:8 ) ; it was about a mile from Bethlehem to the south ^F9, and is supposed to be the place where the shepherds were watching their flocks, when the angel reported to them the birth of Christ, ( Luke 2:8 ) ; pretty remarkable are the words added here in the Targum of Jonathan,

``the place from whence the King Messiah will be revealed in the end of days.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 Shalshalet Hakabala, fol. 5. 2.
F9 Bunting's Travels, p. 76.

Genesis 35:21 In-Context

19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem ).

20 Jacob set up a pillar over her grave; that is the pillar of Rachel's grave to this day.

21 Then Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.

22 It came about while Israel was dwelling in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine, and Israel heard of it. Now there were twelve sons of Jacob -

23 the sons of Leah: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, then Simeon and Levi and Judah and Issachar and Zebulun;

Cross References

• 1. Micah 4:8

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb "Migdal-eder"
• [b]. Or "flock"