Genesis 35:19

19 So ¹Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to ²Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem),

Genesis 35:19 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 35:19

And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which
[is] Bethlehem.
Hence called Bethlehem Ephratah, ( Micah 5:2 ) ; with great pertinency is Rachel represented as if risen from her grave, and weeping for her children, when the children of Bethlehem, and thereabout, were slain by Herod, she being buried so near that place, ( Matthew 2:16-18 ) ; at what age she died is not said. Polyhistor, out of Demetrius ^F4, reports, that she died after Jacob had lived with her twenty three years.

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 Apnd Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 21. p. 424.

Genesis 35:19 In-Context

17 And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son. ”

18 And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin.

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

20 and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel’s tomb, which is there to this day.

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

Cross References

• 1. 35:19 ch. 48:7
• 2. 35:19 Ruth 1:2; 4:11; Mic. 5:2; Matt. 2:6, 16-18