Jacob’s act of naming Bethel acknowledges a sacred encounter with God and proclaims the site’s lasting significance in the unfolding story of Israel.
So Jacob named the place where God had spoken with him, Bethel. (v. 15) This brief but important statement concludes a remarkable encounter Jacob had with the LORD in which God reaffirmed His covenant promise and reminded Jacob of his new name, Israel. Jacob (around 2006-1859 B.C.), the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, had already experienced God’s guidance and protection throughout his journeys, but this particular moment further sealed God’s faithfulness toward him. Bethel, located approximately ten miles north of Jerusalem, had previously been known as Luz, and it was at this holy site that Jacob encountered God on multiple occasions, each time establishing a memorial for divine revelation.
To “name the place” carried weight in the ancient world because it commemorated significant relationships and events. By calling it Bethel—literally “House of God”—Jacob confirmed the place as a sacred landmark connected to his second encounter with the LORD, where he received a blessing and his name was changed to Israel (“Prince of God”) (Genesis 35:9-15). This transformation signified the shift from being Jacob the “Supplanter” to Israel, the one who walked under God’s covenant blessing. Later references in Scripture highlight Bethel’s importance in Israel’s spiritual heritage, reminding them of God’s promise and urging them not to deviate into idolatry.
In the broader context of God’s redemptive plan, Bethel foreshadows the idea that the LORD’s presence dwells among His people. Just as Jacob recognized God’s closeness at Bethel, believers in the New Testament see the fullness of God’s presence in Jesus, who is literally “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Through Christ’s death and resurrection, that same presence is now accessible to all who call upon His name, echoing the principle that God chooses to abide with His people and invites them to respond in faith.
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Genesis 35:15 meaning
So Jacob named the place where God had spoken with him, Bethel. (v. 15) This brief but important statement concludes a remarkable encounter Jacob had with the LORD in which God reaffirmed His covenant promise and reminded Jacob of his new name, Israel. Jacob (around 2006-1859 B.C.), the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, had already experienced God’s guidance and protection throughout his journeys, but this particular moment further sealed God’s faithfulness toward him. Bethel, located approximately ten miles north of Jerusalem, had previously been known as Luz, and it was at this holy site that Jacob encountered God on multiple occasions, each time establishing a memorial for divine revelation.
To “name the place” carried weight in the ancient world because it commemorated significant relationships and events. By calling it Bethel—literally “House of God”—Jacob confirmed the place as a sacred landmark connected to his second encounter with the LORD, where he received a blessing and his name was changed to Israel (“Prince of God”) (Genesis 35:9-15). This transformation signified the shift from being Jacob the “Supplanter” to Israel, the one who walked under God’s covenant blessing. Later references in Scripture highlight Bethel’s importance in Israel’s spiritual heritage, reminding them of God’s promise and urging them not to deviate into idolatry.
In the broader context of God’s redemptive plan, Bethel foreshadows the idea that the LORD’s presence dwells among His people. Just as Jacob recognized God’s closeness at Bethel, believers in the New Testament see the fullness of God’s presence in Jesus, who is literally “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Through Christ’s death and resurrection, that same presence is now accessible to all who call upon His name, echoing the principle that God chooses to abide with His people and invites them to respond in faith.