Set a pillar, &c.— The learned Bochart is of opinion, that this monument of Rachel's (which is the first that we read of in Scripture) was a pyramid, curiously wrought, and raised upon a basis of twelve large stones, whereby Jacob intended to intimate the number of his sons. It was certainly standing at the time when Moses wrote, Genesis 35:20 and just before Saul was anointed king there is some mention made of it, 1 Samuel 10:2. But that the present monument cannot be the same which Jacob erected, is very manifest, from its being a modern and Turkish structure. Mr. Le Brun, who was at the place, and took a draught of it, says, that the tomb is cut into the cavity of a rock, and covered with a dome, supported by four pillars, on fragments of a wall, which open to the sepulchre. The work is rude enough, and without any ornament; but the whole is as entire as if it had been but just erected; which makes it hard to imagine that it has subsisted ever since Jacob's time. Maundrell's Travels and Calmet's Dictionary.
REFLECTIONS.—We have here Rachel's death in child-bed. One death had made a breach in Jacob's family; another still more afflicting succeeds. Death often thus repeats his strokes. The midwife would comfort her with a son born; but now, feeling her burden so heavy that she cannot rejoice in him, she calls him Ben-oni, the son of her sorrow. Note; When we are dying, nothing in this world can any longer comfort us. Jacob however changes his name: his love for Rachel lives in Benjamin, the son of his right hand; the last of our children is usually the fondling. Rachel scarcely names her son, but she departs. Note; (1.) The soul must return to God that gave it. (2.) As child-bearing in sorrow is the effect of sin, frequent death in child-bearing more strongly marks the wages due to it. But there is a child born, who can save the dying mother. Jacob buries her on the spot, and in memory of her erects a mournful pillar. Note; A grave-stone may be made an useful remembrancer, and a continual sermon.