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Eventually, Jacob and his household arrived at Luz (also called Bethel) in Canaan. Jacob built an altar there and named the place El-bethel (which means “God of Bethel”), because God had appeared to him there when he was fleeing from his brother, Esau.

Soon after this, Rebekah’s old nurse, Deborah, died. She was buried beneath the oak tree in the valley below Bethel. Ever since, the tree has been called Allon-bacuth (which means “oak of weeping”).

Now that Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again at Bethel. God blessed him, 10 saying, “Your name is Jacob, but you will not be called Jacob any longer. From now on your name will be Israel.”[a] So God renamed him Israel.

11 Then God said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Be fruitful and multiply. You will become a great nation, even many nations. Kings will be among your descendants! 12 And I will give you the land I once gave to Abraham and Isaac. Yes, I will give it to you and your descendants after you.” 13 Then God went up from the place where he had spoken to Jacob.

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Footnotes

  1. 35:10 Jacob sounds like the Hebrew words for “heel” and “deceiver.” Israel means “God fights.”

Jacob and all the people with him came to Luz(A) (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan.(B) There he built an altar,(C) and he called the place El Bethel,[a](D) because it was there that God revealed himself to him(E) when he was fleeing from his brother.(F)

Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse,(G) died and was buried under the oak(H) outside Bethel.(I) So it was named Allon Bakuth.[b]

After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram,[c](J) God appeared to him again and blessed him.(K) 10 God said to him, “Your name is Jacob,[d] but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.[e](L) So he named him Israel.

11 And God said to him, “I am God Almighty[f];(M) be fruitful and increase in number.(N) A nation(O) and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants.(P) 12 The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.(Q)(R) 13 Then God went up from him(S) at the place where he had talked with him.

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 35:7 El Bethel means God of Bethel.
  2. Genesis 35:8 Allon Bakuth means oak of weeping.
  3. Genesis 35:9 That is, Northwest Mesopotamia; also in verse 26
  4. Genesis 35:10 Jacob means he grasps the heel, a Hebrew idiom for he deceives.
  5. Genesis 35:10 Israel probably means he struggles with God.
  6. Genesis 35:11 Hebrew El-Shaddai