Genesis 35:16-22 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Genesis 35:16-22 a. Rachel Dies at the Birth of Benjamin.

Genesis 35:16-20 is assigned by some to J and by some to E. There is no decisive reason for either. Genesis 35:21-22 a is from J. The use of Israel as Jacob's name is characteristic of J. The pathetic story of Rachel's death is often explained to mean that, when the tribe of Benjamin was formed in Palestine after the Conquest, the earlier tribe of Rachel was broken up. This may be correct, but is very uncertain. Ephrath is identified in Genesis 35:19; Genesis 48:7 with Bethlehem. This is probably an incorrect gloss (see Cent.B on Jeremiah 31:15), and an otherwise unknown Ephrath near Bethel in the border between Benjamin and Ephraim (1 Samuel 10:2 f.) is intended. The mother refuses to be comforted with the cheering news that her prayer of Genesis 30:24 has been answered, as later she wails from her tomb and refuses to be comforted when her children have gone into exile (Jeremiah 31:15). She calls the child Benoni, born in bitter and fatal anguish (cf. mg.); but Jacob for this ill-omened name substitutes Benjamin, son of good luck, the right (mg.) being the lucky side. The real meaning is probably son of the south, Benjamin lying to the S. of Ephraim and Manasseh. The fragmentary reference to Reuben's intrigue with Bilhah (cf. Genesis 49:4) may be explained as a reminiscence of some alliance of Reuben with Dan and Naphtali against the other tribes, or an encroachment of Reuben upon the Bilhah tribes. But it is too brief and obscure to warrant any confident interpretation (cf. Homer, Iliad, ix. 449- 452, where Phoenix, at his wronged mother's request, avenges her by an intrigue with his father's concubine, and is cursed by him for it). Presumably the original story explained how Reuben lost the birthright for his misconduct.

Genesis 35:21. Eder: the flock; a watch-tower for the protection of the flocks is intended.

Genesis 35:22 b - Genesis 35:29. List of Jacob's Sons; Death and Burial of Isaac. From P. Observe that Benjamin is included among the sons born in Paddan-aram. With Genesis 35:29 b, cf. Genesis 25:9.

Related Commentaries of Genesis 35:16

Genesis 35:16-22

16 And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a littlec way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.

17 And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.

18 And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni:d but his father called him Benjamin.

19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.

20 And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day.

21 And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar.

22 And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine: and Israel heard it. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: