God’s departure here confirms His covenant blessing, assuring Jacob of a divinely stewarded destiny.
Then God went up from him in the place where He had spoken with him. (v.13) At this point in Genesis 35, Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, had just received a reaffirmation of God’s covenant promise (Genesis 35:9-12). The LORD had blessed Jacob with a new name, a multitude of descendants, and the assurance that nations and kings would come from him. Once the divine message ended, God’s presence visibly departed, demonstrating that Jacob’s meeting and covenant renewal at this sacred site had reached its conclusion.
The location of this encounter was Bethel, a significant place of worship situated about ten miles north of Jerusalem. Historically, Bethel served as a site where Abraham and later Jacob built altars and called upon the name of the LORD (Genesis 12:8, 35:6-7). Jacob was born around the early second millennium BC and was the grandson of Abraham. Through him, the twelve tribes of Israel would eventually arise, fulfilling the promise that God’s chosen people would grow to become a nation.
God “went up” from Jacob in a physical sense, but His covenant presence and blessing remained with Jacob perpetually. This moment underscores the truth that divine encounters often come at precisely the right time, leaving believers strengthened to carry on with faith. The passage reminds readers that God, though invisible at times, guides His followers throughout life’s journey, never forgetting the promises He has spoken (Psalm 105:8-11).
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Genesis 35:13 meaning
Then God went up from him in the place where He had spoken with him. (v.13) At this point in Genesis 35, Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, had just received a reaffirmation of God’s covenant promise (Genesis 35:9-12). The LORD had blessed Jacob with a new name, a multitude of descendants, and the assurance that nations and kings would come from him. Once the divine message ended, God’s presence visibly departed, demonstrating that Jacob’s meeting and covenant renewal at this sacred site had reached its conclusion.
The location of this encounter was Bethel, a significant place of worship situated about ten miles north of Jerusalem. Historically, Bethel served as a site where Abraham and later Jacob built altars and called upon the name of the LORD (Genesis 12:8, 35:6-7). Jacob was born around the early second millennium BC and was the grandson of Abraham. Through him, the twelve tribes of Israel would eventually arise, fulfilling the promise that God’s chosen people would grow to become a nation.
God “went up” from Jacob in a physical sense, but His covenant presence and blessing remained with Jacob perpetually. This moment underscores the truth that divine encounters often come at precisely the right time, leaving believers strengthened to carry on with faith. The passage reminds readers that God, though invisible at times, guides His followers throughout life’s journey, never forgetting the promises He has spoken (Psalm 105:8-11).