Bible Strands
Genesis 35:3
Then let us arise and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob addresses his household and all who were with him immediately after commanding them to purge foreign gods and purify themselves. He proposes a collective departure to Bethel to establish a place of worship.
The words — The Hebrew phrase וְנָקֻמָה וְנַעֲלֶה (ve./na.Ku.mah ve./na.'a.Leh) literally means "let us arise and go up." This directional language frames the journey to Bethel as an ascent toward divine encounter.
The thread — The theme of God's presence during distress runs through Genesis 31:3, where God promises accompaniment during Jacob's return, and Genesis 32:7, which records Jacob's fear during his journey. Isaiah 43:2 later echoes this same assurance of divine presence through trials.
Why it lands — The text demands a concrete response to past divine faithfulness by removing competing loyalties and physically returning to a place of worship. It requires the reader to align remembered deliverance with present obedience, treating historical grace as a direct command for current action.
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.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And let us arise, and go up to Beth–el; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.
- Genesis 31:3 Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”
- Genesis 32:7 In great fear and distress, Jacob divided his people into two camps, as well as the flocks and herds and camels.
- Genesis 31:42 If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, surely by now you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, and last night He rendered judgment.”
- Proverbs 3:6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
- Genesis 28:15 Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
- Genesis 32:24 So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
- Psalms 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”
- Psalms 107:6 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.
- Isaiah 30:19 O people in Zion who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will surely be gracious when you cry for help; when He hears, He will answer you.