Genesis 35:10

Study note

Setting — God speaks to Jacob immediately after appearing to him in Bethel following his return from Paddan-aram. The declaration occurs during a divine encounter that formally transitions Jacob’s identity and covenant standing.

The words — The text employs יִקָּרֵא (yi.ka.Re'), meaning "it will be called," with לֹא (lo'-), "not," to state that the name Jacob will cease being used. This negative future construction establishes a permanent termination of the former designation.

The thread — This naming formula runs parallel to God’s renaming of Abram to Abraham in Genesis 17:5 and Sarai to Sarah in Genesis 17:15. It directly responds to the wrestling encounter in Genesis 32:27 where Jacob’s original name is first questioned and then formally superseded.

Why it lands — The verse requires a reader to acknowledge that divine authority alone determines identity and covenant status. It demands acceptance that God’s designation permanently replaces human history or self-definition.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.