And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which [is] Bethlehem.
19. Ephrath ( the same is Beth-lehem)] The words, “the same is Beth-lehem,” create a difficulty; they occur also in Gen 48:7, and seem to be confirmed by Rth 4:11; Mic 5:2, “Bethlehem Ephrathah,” where the reference is to Bethlehem, S. of Jerusalem. But (1) judging from the present passage we should suppose that Rachel’s tomb was a little south of Bethel: (2) from Jer 31:15 it would appear that Rachel’s death and burial were connected with Ramah, a place 5 miles north of Jerusalem: (3) from 1Sa 10:2 we learn that Rachel’s sepulchre is in the border of Benjamin, i.e. north of Jerusalem. There is clearly, therefore, a discrepancy. Perhaps two traditions were current respecting the sepulchre; one placing it near Ramah, on the borders of Benjamin, south of Bethel; the other placing it near Bethlehem, south of Jerusalem. The words, “the same is Beth-lehem,” look like a gloss, erroneously inserted into the text. “Ephrath,” by itself, was not an uncommon name. In all probability, if the words are an erroneous gloss, they are responsible for the Biblical discrepancy, and are accountable for the Christian tradition of Rachel’s tomb N. of Bethlehem.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
In the way to Ephrath; not in the city, though that was near; for in ancient times their sepulchres were not in the places of resort, but in separated places, and out of cities. See Mat 27:60; Luk 7:12.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
19. Ephrath, which is Beth-lehemTheone, the old name; the other, the later name, signifying “houseof bread.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which [is] Bethlehem. Hence called Bethlehem Ephratah, Mic 5:2; with great pertinency is Rachel represented as if risen from her grave, and weeping for her children, when the children of Bethlehem, and thereabout, were slain by Herod, she being buried so near that place, Mt 2:16; at what age she died is not said. Polyhistor, out of Demetrius d, reports, that she died after Jacob had lived with her twenty three years.
d Apnd Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 21. p. 424.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Gen 35:19. Ephrath,Beth-lehem, &c. Concerning Bethlehem, &c. we shall have occasion to speak at large hereafter.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
This monument was long after preserved. See 1Sa 10:2 . Reader! do not pass over the review of Rachel’s death, without again remarking the trials of the faithful. Gen 47:9 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 35:19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which [is] Bethlehem.
Ver. 20. And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave. ] To testify his love, and continue her remembrance. Dead friends may be lawfully thus honoured with monuments; modo vitetur luxus et superstitio. .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Beth-lehem = House of bread.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Rachel died: Gen 48:7
Ephrath: Jos 19:15, Rth 1:2, Rth 4:11, Mic 5:2, Mic 6:2, Mat 2:1, Mat 2:6, Mat 2:18
Reciprocal: Gen 29:17 – Rachel Jdg 17:7 – General Jdg 19:1 – a concubine 1Sa 10:2 – Rachel’s 1Sa 17:12 – Ephrathite 1Ch 2:51 – Bethlehem 2Ch 11:6 – Bethlehem Mat 2:5 – General Luk 2:4 – unto Act 7:16 – the sepulchre
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 35:19. Rachel was buried in the way to Ephrath Not in the city, though it was near; for in ancient times their sepulchres were not in places of resort, but in places separated and out of the cities, Mat 27:60;
Luk 7:12. If the soul be at rest, the matter is not great where the body lies. In the place where the tree falls there let it lie.