Genesis 35:16-22

The Death of Rachel

16 Then they journeyed from Bethel. And {when they were still some distance} from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor. And she had hard labor.
17 And {when her labor was the most difficult} the midwife said to her, "Do not be afraid {for you have another son}."
18 And it happened [that] when her life was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-Oni. But his father called him Benjamin.
19 And Rachel died and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that [is], Bethlehem).
20 And Jacob erected a pillar at her burial site. That [is] the pillar of the burial site of Rachel unto this day.
21 And Israel journeyed [on] and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder.
22 And while Israel was living in that land Reuben went and had sexual relations with Bilhah, his father's concubine. And Israel heard [about it].

Genesis 35:16-22 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 6

  • [a]. Literally "there was still the stretch of land"
  • [b]. Literally "at her distress at giving birth"
  • [c]. Literally "for this one also to you is a son"
  • [d]. "Son of my sorrow"
  • [e]. "Son of the right hand"
  • [f]. Or "Migdal-Eder"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.