And he erected there an altar, and called it El-Elohe-Israel.
Erected ... an altar. Abraham had, on his landing on the same spot in Canaan, erected an altar; and now Jacob, on his arrival from Padan-aram, imitates the example of his grandfather from special reasons of his own (cf. Genesis 27:21, last clause, with Gen. 22:28-29). Whether, on its erection, it was dedicated with the formal bestowment of a name which, according to patriarchal usage, would perpetuate the purpose of the monument, or it was furnished with an inscription, we are not informed. The Septuagint omits the name. But it was a beautiful proof of his personal piety, a most suitable conclusion to his journey, and a lasting memorial of a distinguished favour, to raise an altar to "God, the God of Israel." Wherever we pitch a tent, God should have an altar.