Genesis 28:19 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Of that place, Beth-el— That is, the house of God. It is imagined from what follows, (the name of that city was Luz,) that there was a city near the place where Jacob slept; but it is more probable that a city was built there in after-times. From the word Beth-el some derive the baetylia or baetylii of the Heathens, mentioned by Sanchoniatho; a sort of rude stones, which they worshipped as symbols of divinity. The word matzebah, says Stack-house, which our interpreters render a pillar, is by the Septuagint translated σπηλη, and by the vulgar Latin titulus; and hence several, both ancients and moderns, have supposed that there was an inscription on this pillar. The manner of consecrating this pillar was by pouring oil upon it, which Jacob might have by him without a miracle, (considering how common the use of oil is in these hot countries,) to refresh his limbs when weary with travelling; and how necessary upon that account it was to carry some with him in his journey: nor is there any reason to suppose that Jacob made use of this form of consecration in compliance with the custom of the country where he then was. It is uncertain whether this custom was established in Jacob's time; but if it was, it is hardly credible that so pious a man as he is represented, would have adopted a superstitious ceremony into the worship of the true God. The much more probable opinion therefore is, that as the rites of sacrificing and circumcision were instituted before the promulgation of the law; so this manner of consecrating things in the way of unction or libation was at first enjoined the patriarchs Abraham and Isaac by God; and, either by precept or tradition from them, came afterwards to be practised by Jacob: nor is it unlikely but that Jacob's practice in this particular, and the great veneration which was afterwards paid to his monumental pillar, might give occasion to the worshipping such erected stones in future ages, and (upon such abuse) to God's so strictly prohibiting any to be set up: Ye shall not make you any idols or graven image, neither shall ye rear up any matzebah (statue or pillar) to bow down unto it, for I am the Lord your GOD.