Genesis 35:1 - Exposition

And God —Elohim. The employment of this name for the Deity throughout the present chapter has been deemed conclusive evidence that, with Rome Jehovistic alterations, it belongs to the fundamental document (Tuch, Bleek, Delitzsch, Kalisch, et alii ) ; but the frequent allusions to Genesis 28:13-16 , which by partitionists is almost universally assigned to the Jehovist, prove that both sections have proceeded from the same author, and that, "though the mention of the name is avoided, this chapter, there is no doubt, substantially relates to Jehovah" (Hengstenberg), while the name Elohim may simply indicate that Jacob's journey from Shechem was undertaken in obedience to a Divine intimation (Quarry)— said unto Jacob (shortly after the incidents recorded in the preceding chapter), Arise, go up to Bethel ,—about thirty miles distant ( Genesis 12:8 ; Genesis 13:3 ; Genesis 28:19 ), to which, some thirty years previous, he had solemnly vowed to return ( Genesis 28:22 )—a vow which he appeared somewhat dilatory in performing, although its conditions had been exactly fulfilled (Keil, Kurtz, Kalisch, &c.;)— and dwell there (the massacre of the Shechemites had obviously rendered longer residence in that neighborhood unsafe): and make there an altar —this Jacob had substantially promised to do in his vow (vide Genesis 28:22 )— unto God, that appeared unto thee — i.e. unto Jehovah ( vide Genesis 28:13 )— when thou fleddest from the face of Esau thy brother . The words contained an assurance that the same Divine arm which had shielded him against the enmity of Esau and the oppression of Laban would extend to him protection on his future way.