JACOB DEPARTS FOR PADAN-ARAM. HIS DREAM AT BETHEL 1-4. Isaac bids Jacob seek one of the daughters of his uncle Laban in marriage, and assures him that the blessings and promises bestowed on Abraham should fall to him as heir. 6-9. Esau's marriage, though well meant, was only a union with the seed... [ Continue Reading ]
After journeying for some days, Jacob reaches the district in the mountains of Ephraim, where Abraham had rested, when entering Canaan, and built an altar (Genesis 12:8). The strata of limestone rock, of which the hills around are composed, take the form of steps rising above each other, and we can... [ Continue Reading ]
Jacob perceives that, though he has left his father's home at Beer-sheba, his father's God is still watching over him. In these early days the idea of Jehovah as the God of the universe, and not of the nation only, was not realised: cp. Judges 11:23; Judges 11:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE STONE] Jacob set up the stone as marking the spot hallowed by God's presence, and consecrated it by pouring oil upon it. On his return to Palestine (Genesis 35) he set up an altar by it in fulfilment of his vow in this chapter The belief that a stone or pillar was the abode of deity was common a... [ Continue Reading ]
BETHEL] 'the house of God.' In the period of the Judges, Bethel became the chief religious centre of the northern tribes. The ark was stationed there (Judges 20:18); it was frequented as a place for sacrifice, and for consuiting the divine oracle (Judges 20:18; Judges 20:26 RV). Under Jeroboam I it... [ Continue Reading ]