Genesis 35:16-20

The Deaths of Rachel and Isaac

16 Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty.
17 And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, “Don’t despair, for you have another son.”
18 As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni.[a] But his father named him Benjamin.[b]
19 So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).
20 Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day that pillar marks Rachel’s tomb.

Genesis 35:16-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 35

This chapter gives an account of Jacob's going to Bethel, and building an altar there by the order and direction of God, Ge 35:1-7, where Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died and was buried, Ge 35:8, and where God appeared to Jacob, confirmed the new name of Israel he had given him, and renewed to him the promises of the multiplication of his seed, and of their inheriting the land of Canaan, Ge 35:9-13; all which is gratefully acknowledged by Jacob, who erected a pillar in the place, and called it Bethel, in memory of God's gracious appearance to him there, Ge 35:14,15; from hence he journeyed towards his father's house, and on the way Rachel his wife fell in travail, and bore him a son, and died, and was buried near Ephrath, Ge 35:16-21; near this place Reuben committed incest with Bilhah, Ge 35:22, and the names of the twelve sons of Jacob are given, Ge 35:23-26; and the chapter is closed with an account of Jacob's arrival at his father's house, of the death of Isaac, and of his burial at the direction of his two sons, Ge 35:27-29.

Cross References 10

  • 1. ver 19; Genesis 48:7; Ruth 1:2; Ruth 4:11; 1 Samuel 17:12; Micah 5:2
  • 2. S Genesis 29:6
  • 3. Genesis 38:28; Exodus 1:15
  • 4. S Genesis 30:24
  • 5. 1 Samuel 4:21; 1 Samuel 14:3
  • 6. ver 24; Genesis 42:4; Genesis 43:16,29; Genesis 45:12,14; Genesis 49:27; Numbers 1:36; Deuteronomy 33:12
  • 7. S ver 16
  • 8. Genesis 48:7; Joshua 19:15; Judges 12:8; Judges 17:7; Judges 19:1,18; Ruth 1:1,19; 1 Samuel 17:12; Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:16
  • 9. Joshua 4:9; Joshua 7:26; Joshua 8:28; Joshua 10:27; 1 Samuel 6:18
  • 10. 1 Samuel 10:2

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. "Ben-Oni" means "son of my trouble."
  • [b]. "Benjamin" means "son of my right hand."
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