Genesis 35:9

9 Now that Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again at Bethel. God blessed him,

Genesis 35:9 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 35:9

And God appeared unto Jacob again
At Bethel, as he had at Shechem, when he bid him go thither, ( Genesis 35:1 ) ; or rather as he had at the brook Jabbok, where he said to him the same things as here, ( Genesis 32:24 Genesis 32:28 ) , though Jarchi interprets it of his appearing again to him at the same place at Bethel, where he had appeared to him the first time, at his going to Haran, and now a second time: when he came out of Padanaram;
or returned from thence: and blessed him;
with the same blessings as before, renewing and confirming them. Jarchi says, with the blessing of mourners, because of the death of his mother, and her nurse.

Genesis 35:9 In-Context

7 Jacob built an altar there and named the place El-bethel (which means “God of Bethel”), because God had appeared to him there when he was fleeing from his brother, Esau.

8 Soon after this, Rebekah’s old nurse, Deborah, died. She was buried beneath the oak tree in the valley below Bethel. Ever since, the tree has been called Allon-bacuth (which means “oak of weeping”).

9 Now that Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again at Bethel. God blessed him,

10 saying, “Your name is Jacob, but you will not be called Jacob any longer. From now on your name will be Israel.” So God renamed him Israel.

11 Then God said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Be fruitful and multiply. You will become a great nation, even many nations. Kings will be among your descendants!