Genesis 28:19

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 became the religious capital of the Northern Kingdom. Here and at Dan the golden calves were set up (1 Kings 12). Under Jeroboam II the sanctuary reached the summit of its renown, but the worship was corrupt, and was denounced by Amos and Hosea: see Amos 3:14; Amos 4:4; Hosea 10:15 RV.

Luz] an old Canaanite city, afterwards called Bethel because of its proximity to that sanctuary.

20-22. The first vow mentioned in Scripture. Jacob vows that in return for God's protecting care, if he is spared to return, he will regard this stone as a holy spot, and set apart a tithe of all he gains to religious purposes. In Amos 4:4 it is said that it was customary to pay tithes at Bethel, a practice based perhaps on this occurrence.