Jacob set up a pillar on her grave; it marks Rachel's tomb to this day. Jacob set up a pillar on her grave;Jacob's act of setting up a pillar is significant in the cultural and historical context of the ancient Near East, where such markers were often used to commemorate important events or individuals. This practice is seen elsewhere in Genesis, such as when Jacob set up a pillar at Bethel ( Genesis 28:18). The pillar serves as a tangible reminder of Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife, and signifies the importance of her role in the patriarchal narrative. It also reflects the customs of the time, where memorials were erected to honor the deceased. it marks Rachel’s tomb
Rachel's tomb is traditionally located near Bethlehem, a site that has been venerated for centuries. The mention of the tomb's location provides a geographical anchor in the biblical narrative, connecting the story to a real place that can be visited. This site has been a place of pilgrimage and prayer, especially for Jewish and Christian believers. The tomb's enduring presence underscores Rachel's significance in Israel's history as the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, two of the twelve tribes of Israel. to this day.
The phrase "to this day" suggests the enduring nature of Rachel's tomb as a landmark and its continued recognition by the people of Israel. This expression is used throughout the Old Testament to indicate the lasting impact of certain events or places (e.g., Deuteronomy 34:6). It implies that the memory of Rachel and her significance in the lineage of Israel persisted long after the events of Genesis, highlighting the continuity of God's promises through the generations. This enduring legacy can also be seen as a type of Christ, as Rachel's life and death point to themes of sacrifice and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises. Persons / Places / Events 1. JacobThe patriarch of the Israelites, son of Isaac and Rebekah, and father of the twelve tribes of Israel. In this passage, he is mourning the death of his beloved wife, Rachel. 2. RachelJacob's favored wife, mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Her death during childbirth is a significant event in Jacob's life and the history of Israel. 3. PillarA stone monument set up by Jacob to mark Rachel's grave. It serves as a memorial and a physical reminder of Rachel's life and death. 4. Rachel's TombThe burial site of Rachel, which becomes a landmark and a place of remembrance for future generations. 5. BethlehemThe location near which Rachel was buried. This place later becomes significant as the birthplace of King David and Jesus Christ. Teaching Points The Importance of RemembranceSetting up a pillar signifies the importance of remembering those who have passed and the impact they had on our lives. It encourages us to honor the memory of loved ones and learn from their legacy. Grief and HopeJacob's act of setting up a pillar reflects the human experience of grief. Yet, it also points to hope, as Rachel's legacy continues through her children, particularly Joseph, who plays a crucial role in God's plan for Israel. Significance of PlaceRachel's tomb near Bethlehem highlights the importance of place in God's redemptive history. It reminds us that God uses specific locations to fulfill His purposes, as seen in Bethlehem's later significance. Legacy and InfluenceRachel's life and death remind us of the lasting influence one can have. Her account encourages us to consider the legacy we are leaving for future generations. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jacob's act of setting up a pillar for Rachel reflect his relationship with her and his understanding of remembrance? 2. In what ways does Rachel's account connect to the broader account of Israel's history and God's redemptive plan? 3. How can we apply the concept of setting up "pillars" in our own lives to remember and honor those who have impacted us? 4. What does the location of Rachel's tomb near Bethlehem teach us about the significance of place in God's plan? 5. How can Rachel's legacy inspire us to consider the influence and impact we have on our families and communities? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 48:7Jacob recounts Rachel's death and burial, emphasizing the personal loss and the significance of the location. 1 Samuel 10:2References Rachel's tomb as a known landmark, indicating its continued importance in Israel's history. Matthew 2:18Rachel is symbolically associated with mourning in the prophecy fulfilled during Herod's massacre of the innocents, connecting her account to the broader account of Israel's suffering and hope. People Allon, Aram, Arba, Asher, Benjamin, Benoni, Bilhah, Dan, Deborah, Eder, Ephrath, Esau, Gad, Isaac, Issachar, Jacob, Joseph, Leah, Levi, Mamre, Naphtali, Rachel, Rebekah, Reuben, Simeon, Zebulun, ZilpahPlaces Allon-bacuth, Bethel, Bethlehem, Canaan, Eder, El-bethel, Ephrath, Hebron, Kiriath-arba, Luz, Mamre, Paddan-aram, ShechemTopics Erected, Grave, Jacob, Marks, Named, Pillar, Rachel, Rachel's, Resting-place, Setteth, Standing, TombDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 35:19-20 5241 burial Library February the Eighth Revisiting Old Altars
"I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress." --GENESIS xxxv. 1-7. It is a blessed thing to revisit our early altars. It is good to return to the haunts of early vision. Places and things have their sanctifying influences, and can recall us to lost experiences. I know a man to whom the scent of a white, wild rose is always a call to prayer. I know another to whom Grasmere is always the window of holy vision. Sometimes a particular pew in a particular church …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling YearOur Last ChapterConcluded with the Words, "For Childhood and Youth are Vanity"...
Our last chapter concluded with the words, "For childhood and youth are vanity": that is, childhood proves the emptiness of all "beneath the sun," as well as old age. The heart of the child has the same needs--the same capacity in kind--as that of the aged. It needs God. Unless it knows Him, and His love is there, it is empty; and, in its fleeting character, childhood proves its vanity. But this makes us quite sure that if childhood can feel the need, then God has, in His wide grace, met the …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs The Death of Abraham
'Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.'--GENESIS xxv. 8. 'Full of years' does not seem to me to be a mere synonym for longevity. That would be an intolerable tautology, for we should then have the same thing said three times over--'an old man,' 'in a good old age,' 'full of years.' There must be some other idea than that in the words. If you notice that the expression is by no means a usual one, that it is only …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Trials and visions of Devout Youth
'And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The National Oath at Shechem
'And Joshua said unto the people. Ye cannot serve the Lord: for He is an holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that He hath done you good. 21. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. 22. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves, that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve Him. And they said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God The Birth of Jesus.
(at Bethlehem of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke II. 1-7. ^c 1 Now it came to pass in those days [the days of the birth of John the Baptist], there went out a decree [a law] from Cæsar Augustus [Octavius, or Augustus, Cæsar was the nephew of and successor to Julius Cæsar. He took the name Augustus in compliment to his own greatness; and our month August is named for him; its old name being Sextilis], that all the world should be enrolled. [This enrollment or census was the first step …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 35:20 NIVGenesis 35:20 NLTGenesis 35:20 ESVGenesis 35:20 NASBGenesis 35:20 KJV
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