Genesis 35:12

35:12 The land I gave 1  to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you. To your descendants 2  I will also give this land.”

Genesis 35:15

35:15 Jacob named the place 3  where God spoke with him Bethel. 4 

Genesis 35:17

35:17 When her labor was at its hardest, 5  the midwife said to her, “Don’t be afraid, for you are having another son.” 6 

1 tn The Hebrew verb translated “gave” refers to the Abrahamic promise of the land. However, the actual possession of that land lay in the future. The decree of the Lord made it certain; but it has the sense “promised to give.”

2 tn Heb “and to your offspring after you.”

3 sn Called the name of the place. In view of the previous naming of Bethel in Gen 28:19, here Jacob was confirming or affirming the name through an official ritual marking the fulfillment of the vow. This place now did become Bethel, the house of God.

4 tn The name Bethel means “house of God” in Hebrew.

map For location see Map4-G4; Map5-C1; Map6-E3; Map7-D1; Map8-G3.

5 tn The construction uses a Hiphil infinitive, which E. A. Speiser classifies as an elative Hiphil. The contrast is with the previous Piel: there “she had hard labor,” and here, “her labor was at its hardest.” Failure to see this, Speiser notes, has led to redundant translations and misunderstandings (Genesis [AB], 273).

6 sn Another son. The episode recalls and fulfills the prayer of Rachel at the birth of Joseph (Gen 30:24): “may he add” another son.