Genesis 35:5

5 As they set out, a terror from God fell over the surrounding cities, so that they did not pursue Jacob’s sons.

Genesis 35:5 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 35:5

And they journeyed
Jacob and his family, with all that were with them, from Shechem to Bethel:

and the terror of God was upon the cities that [were] round about
them;
an exceeding great panic seized the inhabitants of the cities of the land of Canaan, all about Shechem, which was from God himself impressing it on their minds, through what the sons of Jacob had done to that city:

and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob;
as it might have been thought they would, and take revenge on them for their ill usage of the inhabitants of a neighbouring city; but instead of this, they were afraid they should be used in the same manner; wherefore Jacob and his family journeyed in safety, and came to Bethel in peace.

Genesis 35:5 In-Context

3 Then let us arise and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”

4 So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem.

5 As they set out, a terror from God fell over the surrounding cities, so that they did not pursue Jacob’s sons.

6 So Jacob and everyone with him arrived in Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan.

7 There Jacob built an altar, and he called that place El-bethel, because it was there that God had revealed Himself to Jacob as he fled from his brother.