Genesis 35:1 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

And God said, &c.— After the unpleasing transaction in the former chapter, it was peculiarly gracious in the Almighty, to reveal himself to Jacob, to enjoin his removal from a place which could not but be disagreeable to him, and to dissipate the fears from which his mind could not well be free, by reminding him of his protection, as engaged to him at that Beth-el, to which he commands him now to remove. See ch. Genesis 28:15. To go up and go down, in Scripture, frequently signify no more than to repair to. Beth-el was about twenty miles southward from Shechem, where Jacob now was. It has appeared extraordinary to some, that Jacob so long delayed to go up to Beth-el and perform his vow made, ch. Genesis 28:20, &c. Upon which occasion the Rabbins, as usual, have invented many strange stories: but as we cannot possibly enter into all the circumstances of his case, so neither can we judge of the reason of his delay. It is evident, that God was not offended with him, by the present appearance to him; and therefore we conclude certainly, that Jacob was no way blameable in the omission: he readily obeyed the Divine command, when given; and possibly, as his conduct appears to have been under the Divine direction, he might wait for that command, before he presumed to go to Beth-el.