And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.
They journeyed from Beth-el. There can be no doubt that much enjoyment was experienced at Beth-el; and that in the religious observances solemnized, as well as in the vivid recollections of the glorious vision seen there, the affections of the patriarch were powerfully animated, and that he left the place a better and more devoted servant of God.
When the solemnities were over, Jacob, with his family, pursued a route directly southward; and they had reached Ephrath, when they were plunged into mourning by the death of Rachel, who sank in child-birth, leaving a posthumous son.
There was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, х kibrat (H3530) haa'aarets (H776)] - a piece of ground or way. This word х kibrah (H3530)], which denotes length, also a measure of distance, occurs also in Genesis 48:7; 2 Kings 5:19, indicating a short but indeterminate space. In the first of these passages the Septuagint renders it as hippodromos, a horse-course; but whether we should interpret that, with Rosenmuller, the distance a horse should be made to go for daily exercise-namely, from three to four miles; or, with Gesenius, as far as a horse can run without fatigue, it is difficult to say.
The houda, or traveling basket, girt on the back of a camel or a donkey, is always furnished with those personal necessaries which are required for the traveler's comfort during a journey: such as linen, refreshments, etc.; and in the case of women, with those particular conveniences which are suited to their sex and condition. Since Rachel died in childbirth, while on a journey, it may have been in one of these conveyances, which, with proper attention, are capable of being rendered very private (Taylor's 'Frag. in Calmet'). A very affecting death, considering how ardently the mind of Rachel had been set on offspring (cf. Genesis 30:1).