Bereshis 35:3

3 And let us arise, and go up to Beit-El; and I will build there a Mizbe’ach unto El (G-d) Who answered me in my yom tzoros, and was with me in the derech in which I went.

Bereshis 35:3 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 35:3

And let us arise and go up to Bethel
Thus prepared and purged, their tents clear of idols, their bodies washed with pure water, and their garments new, neat, and clean; all symbolical of inward purity, and of freedom from idolatry and evil works, as became those who go to the house of God, and are his worshippers, see ( Hebrews 10:22 ) .

I will make there an altar unto God;
as he has directed, and sacrifice to him, and worship him, and give the tenth unto him, and so make it a Bethel, an house of God indeed, as he had vowed, ( Genesis 28:22 ) ;

who answered me in the day of my distress;
on account of his brother Esau, from whose wrath he fled:

and was with me in the way which I went;
from his father's house to Padanaram; in which journey he was alone and destitute, and exposed to many difficulties and dangers, but God was with him, and preserved him, and directed and brought him to Laban's house in safety.

Bereshis 35:3 In-Context

1 5 And Elohim said unto Ya’akov, Arise, go up to Beit-El, and settle there; and make there a Mizbe’ach unto El (G-d) that appeared unto thee when thou didst flee from the face of Esav achicha.

2 Then Ya’akov said unto his Bais, and to all that were with him, Put away the elohei hanekhar that are among you, and be tahor, and change your simlah (garments);

3 And let us arise, and go up to Beit-El; and I will build there a Mizbe’ach unto El (G-d) Who answered me in my yom tzoros, and was with me in the derech in which I went.

4 And they gave unto Ya’akov kol elohei hanekhar which were in their yad, and all their nezamim which were in their oznayim; and Ya’akov buried them under the elah (terebinth) which was at Shechem.

5 And they journeyed; and the chittat Elohim (terror of G-d) was upon the cities that were around them, and they did not pursue after the Bnei Ya’akov.