Genesis 28:19

He called the name of the place Bethel.

There was. town near the place where he had encamped, before this time called Luz, though it is spoken of in connection with Abraham's history under the name of Bethel, the name by which it was called when Moses wrote. The name now bestowed upon it by Jacob, the name it bore ever after, means the "house of God," and is. commemoration of the events of this memorable night. Bethel was situated about 12 miles north of Jerusalem; here Abraham built an altar (Genesis 12:8; Genesis 13:4); the place consecrated by Abraham's altar was probably the one where Jacob erected his pillar; travelers who have visited the spot all speak of the stony nature of the ground where Jacob had. stone for. pillow.