Bereshis 35:21

21 And Yisroel journeyed, and pitched his ohel beyond Migdal-Eder.

Bereshis 35:21 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 35:21

And Israel journeyed
Having stayed near Bethlehem, as it is said, about two months ^F8; this is the first time Jacob is by Moses called Israel, after this name, was given him; the reason of which the Jews say is, because he bore the death of Rachel with so much patience: and spread his tent beyond the tower of Eder;
which was a place of pasturage, and fit for his flocks, see ( Micah 4:8 ) ; it was about a mile from Bethlehem to the south ^F9, and is supposed to be the place where the shepherds were watching their flocks, when the angel reported to them the birth of Christ, ( Luke 2:8 ) ; pretty remarkable are the words added here in the Targum of Jonathan,

``the place from whence the King Messiah will be revealed in the end of days.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F8 Shalshalet Hakabala, fol. 5. 2.
F9 Bunting's Travels, p. 76.

Bereshis 35:21 In-Context

19 And Rachel died, and was buried on the derech to Ephratah, which is Beit- Lechem.

20 And Ya’akov set up a matzevah upon her kever; that is matzevet kevurat Rachel to this day.

21 And Yisroel journeyed, and pitched his ohel beyond Migdal-Eder.

22 And it came to pass, when Yisroel dwelt in that land, that Reuven went and lay with Bilhah pilegesh aviv and Yisroel heard it. Now the Bnei Ya’akov were Sheneym Asar (Twelve);

23 The Bnei Leah: Reuven bechor Ya’akov, and Shimon, and Levi, and Yehudah, and Yissakhar, and Zevulun;