Genesis 35:16

EXPOSITION

And they journeyed —not in opposition to the Divine commandment ( Genesis 35:1 ), which did not enjoin a permanent settlement at Bethel, but in accordance probably with his own desire, if not also Heaven's counsel, to proceed to Mamre to visit Isaac— from Bethel (southwards in the direction of Hebron); and there was but a little way (literally, there was yet a space of land; probably a few furlongs (Murphy), about four English miles (Gerlach). The Vulgate translates, "in the spring-time," and the LXX . render, ἐγένετο δὲ ἡνίκα ἤγγισεν εἰς χαβραθὰ , both of which are misunderstandings of the original— to come to Ephrath :—Fruitful; the ancient name of Bethlehem ( vide infra Genesis 35:19 )— and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labor —literally, she had hard labor in her parturition, which was perhaps all the more severe that sixteen or seventeen years had elapsed since her first son, Joseph, was born.