Genesis 35:16-21

Benjamin’s birth and Rachel’s death

16 They left Bethel, and when they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into hard labor.
17 During her difficult labor, the midwife said to her, "Don't be afraid. You have another son."
18 As her life faded away, just before she died, she named him Ben-oni, but his father named him Benjamin.
19 Rachel died and was buried near the road to Ephrath, that is, Bethlehem.
20 Jacob set up a pillar on her grave. It's the pillar on Rachel's tomb that's still there today.
21 Israel continued his trip and pitched his tent farther on near the tower of Eder.

Genesis 35:16-21 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.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Or my suffering son
  • [b]. Or right-hand son or strong son
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