And he erected there an altar, and called it El-elohe-Israel.
20. erected ] Lit. “set up.” A verb used elsewhere, not of an altar, but of a “pillar” or upright stone. Cf. Gen 35:14; Gen 35:20 and Jos 24:26. Hence many prefer here to read “pillar” ( mabah) instead of “altar” ( mizba).
El-elohe-Israel ] R.V. marg. That is, God, the God of Israel. The altar, or stone, is denoted by the name of l, the God of Israel. The origin of some sacred stone, well known to the Israelites, was thus accounted for. The stone and the Divine Being associated with it are identified: see Gen 28:22, Gen 35:7. “Israel’s God is El” is a profession of faith in the one true God made at the moment when Jacob comes to dwell among the heathen Canaanites.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 20. And he erected there an altar] It appears that Jacob had a very correct notion of the providence and mercy of God; hence he says, Ge 33:5: The children which God hath GRACIOUSLY given thy servant; and in Ge 33:11 he attributes all his substance to the bounty of his Maker: Take, I pray thee, my blessing – because God hath dealt GRACIOUSLY with me, and because I have enough. Hence he viewed God as the God of all grace, and to him he erects an altar, dedicating it to God, the God of Israel, referring particularly to the change of his own name, and the mercies which he then received; and hence perhaps it would be best to translate the words, The strong God (is) the God of Israel; as by the power of his grace and goodness he had rescued, defended, blessed, and supported him from his youth up until now. The erecting altars with particular names appears in other places; so, Ex 17:15, Moses calls his altar Jehovah-nissi, “the Lord is my banner.”
1. WHEN a man’s way’s please God, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. When Jacob had got reconciled to God, God reconciled his brother to him. The hearts of all men are in the hands of God, and he turns them howsoever he will.
2. Since the time in which Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the covenant. We see in him much dependence on God, accompanied with a spirit of deep humility and gratitude. God’s grace alone can change the heart of man, and it is by that grace only that we get a sense of our obligations; this lays us in the dust, and the more we receive the lower we shall lie.
3. “The first thing,” says good Bishop Wilson, “that pious men do, is to provide for the honour and worship of God.” Jacob buys a piece of ground, and erects an altar on it in the land of a heathen, that he might acknowledge God among his enemies, and turn them to the true faith; and there is every reason to believe that this expedient would have been successful, had it not been for the base conduct of his sons. How true is the saying, One sinner spoileth much good! Reader, beware, lest thy conduct should become a stumbling block to any.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Or, called upon El-elohe-Israel, the particle lo being redundant, as such pronouns oft are, as Gen 12:1; Jos 20:2.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
20. and he erected . . . an altarAbeautiful proof of his personal piety, a most suitable conclusion tohis journey, and a lasting memorial of a distinguished favor in thename “God, the God of Israel.” Wherever we pitch a tent,God shall have an altar.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he erected there an altar,…. To offer sacrifice upon to God, by way of thanksgiving, for the many mercies he had received since he went out of the land of Canaan, whither he was now returned; and especially for his safety in journeying hither from Padanaram, and for deliverance from Laban and Esau, and for all other favours that he and his had been partakers of. And this he also erected for the sake of religious worship, to be continued in his family; he intending to reside here for some time, as appears by the purchase he had made, and as it is certain he did:
and called it Elelohe-Israel: God, the God of Israel; that is, he called the altar the altar of God, who is the God of Israel, who had been his God, his preserver and protector; and had lately given him the name of Israel, and had made good what answered to it, and was designed by it, that as he had had power with God, and prevailed, so he should with man; and as a memorial of all these favours and mercies, he erected this altar, and devoted it to God and his service, and called it by this name: or “he called upon God, the God of Israel”, as the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions; he prayed unto him at the time he offered sacrifice on the altar, and gave him praise for all the great and good things he had done for him. Jacob must have stayed at Succoth, and at this place, many years, especially at the latter; since, when he came into those parts, Dinah was a child of little more than six years of age, and Simeon and Levi were very young, not above eleven or twelve years of age; and yet, before he left Shechem, Dinah was marriageable, and Simeon and Levi were grown strong and able bodied men, and did a most strange exploit in slaying all the males in Shechem, as recorded in the next chapter.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
20. And he erected there an altar. Jacob having obtained a place in which he might provide for his family, set up the solemn service of God; as Moses before testified concerning Abraham and Isaac. For although, in every place, they gave themselves up to the pure worship of God in prayers and other acts of devotion; nevertheless they did not neglect the external confession of piety, whenever the Lord granted them any fixed place in which they might remain. For (as I have elsewhere stated) whenever we read that an altar was built by them, we must consider its design and use: namely, that they might offer victims, and might invoke the name of God with a pure rite; so that, by this method, their religion and faith might be made known. I say this, lest any one should think that they rashly trifled with the worship of God; for it was their care to direct their actions according to the divinely prescribed rule which was handed down to them from Noah and Shem. Wherefore, under the word “altar,” let the reader understand, by synecdoche, the external testimony of piety. Moreover, it may hence be clearly perceived how greatly the love of divine worship prevailed in the holy man; because though broken down by various troubles, he nevertheless was not forgetful of the altar. And not only does he privately worship God in the secret feeling of his mind; but he exercises himself in ceremonies which are useful and commanded by God. For he knew that men want helps, as long as they are in the flesh, and that sacrifices were not instituted without reason. He had also another purpose; namely, that his whole family should worship God with the same sense of piety. For it behaves a pious father of a family diligently to take care that he has no profane house, but rather that God should reign there as in a sanctuary. Besides, since the inhabitants of that region had fallen into many superstitions, and had corrupted the true worship of God, Jacob wished to make a distinction between himself and them. The Shechemites and other neighboring nations had certainly altars of their own. Therefore Jacob, by establishing a different method of worship for his household, thus declares theft he has a God peculiar to himself, and has not degenerated from the holy fathers, from whom the perfect and genuine religion had proceeded. This course could not but subject him to reproach, because the Shechemites and other inhabitants would feel that they were despised: but the holy man deemed anything preferable to mixing himself with idolaters.
21. (116) And he called it El-eloh-Israel (117) This name appears little suitable to the altar; for it sounds as if a heap of stones or turf formed a visible statue of God. But the meaning of the holy man was different. For, because the altar was a memorial and pledge of all the visions and promises of God, he honors it with this title, to the end that, as often he beheld the altar, he should call God to rememberance. That inscription of Moses, “The Lord is my help.” Has the same signification; and also that Ezekiel inscribes on the forms of speaking thereis a want of strict propiety of metaphor; yet this is not without reason. For as superstitious men foolishly and wickedly attach God to symbols, and as it were, draw him down from his heavenly throne to render him subject to their gross inventions; so the faithful, piously and rightly, ascend from earthly signs that he worshipped no other God than him who had been manifested by certain oracles, in order that he might distinguish Him from all idols. And we must observe it as a rule of modesty, not to speak carelessly concerning the mysteries and the glory of the Lord, but from a sense of faith, so far indeed, as he is made known to us in his word. Moreover Jacob had respect to his to his prosperity; for since the Lord had appeared to him, on the express condition, that he would make with him the covenant of salvation, Jacob leaves his monument, from which, after his death, his descendants might ascertain, ttat his religion had not flowed from a dark or obscure well, or from a turbid pool, but from a clear and pure fountain; as if he had engraved the oracles and visions, by which he had been taught, upon the altar.
(116) This verse number appears in the Calvin Translation Society edition. It actually is part of verse 20.
(117) Et vocavit illud, Fortis Deus Israel; “the strong God of Israel.” The margin of the English translation is more literal, “God, the God of Israel.” — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(20) He erected there an altar.Abraham had already built an altar in this neighbourhood (Gen. 12:7), and Jacob now followed his examplepartly as a thanksoffering for his safe return, partly also as taking possession of the country; but chiefly as a profession of faith, and public recognition of the new relation in which he stood to God. This especially appears in his calling the altar El, the Elohim of Israel. Of course the title of Jehovah could not be used here, as the altar had a special reference to the change of Jacobs name, and was an acknowledgment on his own part of his now being Israel, a prince with El, that is. with God.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
20. Erected Rather, established . Having now obtained land of his own, he establishes his household altar, perhaps on the very spot already consecrated by the ancient altar of Abraham . Gen 12:7.
El-
Elohe-Israel
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Gen 33:20. He erected there an altar At the same place where Abraham had built his first altar, ch. Gen 12:7. Abraham dedicated his, To Jehovah appearing to him; Jacob his, To God, the God of Israel, which was the new name that God had given him. The place was at or near Shechem; so that the woman of Samaria might well say, as she did to our Saviour, that their Fathers worshipped God IN THAT mount. Shechem seems to have been one of the oldest cities in all Canaan. This must be the place which Jacob gave to his son Joseph, and where Joseph’s bones were buried.
REFLECTIONS.Esau now is become a friend to Jacob, nearer than a brother, and offers his house to entertain and his servants to guard him. Jacob modestly excuses himself, and expresses his full satisfaction in the grace he had found in his sight. He pleads,
1. The weakness of the children and the flocks with young: they could not keep pace with Esau without danger.
2. His intention to visit him shortly. Note; We should never be behind in acts of civility.
3. That he needed not his servants, and therefore would not trouble him. He had experienced enough of the divine protection to rest upon it in perfect safety.
4. His favour was the greater obligation he could confer upon him; of this he begs the continuance. Note; If we have found grace in God’s sight, what more can we need?
Esau being returned, Jacob gives some rest to his fatigued family in booths at Succoth, and thence goes on to Shalem. His dangers are past, and he is now safe arrived in Canaan. Note; Perils of journies escaped, and safe arrival home, deserve a thankful mention. What joy will it give, when, after escaping the dangers of this world, we come to our rest in the heavenly Canaan! Two things he doth:
1. He buys a field. Though the land be his by promise, it is not yet in his possession.
2. He builds an altar, that God may be remembered wherever he sojourns, and his house be taught the good ways of the Lord. Note; Wherever we have a house God must have an altar. It is a heathen family in which God’s worship is neglected. He calls the altar, God the God of Israel. He was called Israel, a prince with God; but his highest honour is to have God for his God and King. Note; Whatever honours a true Israelite enjoys, this is the greatest, Israel’s God is Israel’s Glory.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
El-elohe-Israel, is God, the God of Israel; meaning God in a covenant way.
REFLECTIONS
How sweetly doth grace induce all the finer affections of the heart, and constrain all our angry passions into love! Lord, let thy grace enable us to put on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, even as Christ hath forgiven us, so also may we. And in the reading of this chapter, I would beg of God to bestow, both upon him that reads, and on him that writes, the grace of having a wise choice between the fulness of this earth’s blessing, and the appointment of whatever the Lord sees fit in a covenant way. Dearest Jesus! while the Esaus of the present hour, are sending out into the highways to enquire of everyone they meet, who will show them any good; let but the light of thy countenance be lifted on my soul, and it will put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that corn and wine increase.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 33:20 And he erected there an altar, and called it Elelohe-Israel.
Ver. 20. And he erected there an altar. ] (1.) As a memorial of the promises, and a symbol of God’s presence; (2.) As an external profession of his piety; (3.) That he might set up God in his family, and season all his worldly affairs with a relish of religion.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
El-elohe-Israel – “GOD-the God-of-Israel”, but not the place for this altar. Compare Gen 35:1.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
El-elohe-Israel
i.e. God, the God of Israel. Jacob’s act of faith, appropriating his new name, but also claiming Elohim in this new sense as the God through whom alone he could walk according to his new name. See Gen 14:18-23.
See note 2 of (See Scofield “Gen 14:18”) for a similar appropriation by Abraham.
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
altar: Gen 8:20, Gen 12:7, Gen 12:8, Gen 13:18, Gen 21:33
Elelohe-Israel: i.e. God, the God of Israel, Gen 32:28, Gen 35:7
Reciprocal: Gen 26:25 – builded Gen 28:22 – God’s Gen 46:1 – and offered Exo 17:15 – Jehovahnissi Exo 34:23 – the God Jdg 6:24 – built 1Sa 7:17 – he built 2Sa 23:3 – God 1Ki 8:23 – Lord God 1Ki 18:31 – saying 2Ki 17:34 – whom he named Israel 2Ki 19:15 – O Lord God 1Ch 4:10 – the God 1Ch 16:4 – the Lord God 1Ch 29:10 – Lord God 2Ch 6:14 – O Lord God Psa 59:5 – the God Mat 15:31 – God Mar 12:26 – I am
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Gen 33:20. He erected there an altar 1st, In thankfulness to God, for the good hand of his providence over him. 2d, That he might keep up religion and the worship of God in his family. He dedicated this altar to the honour of El-elohe-Israel, God the God of Israel: to the honour of God in general, the only living and true God, the best of Beings, the first of causes: and to the honour of the God of Israel, as a God in covenant with him. God had lately called him by the name of Israel; and now he calls God the God of Israel. Though he be styled a prince with God, God shall still be a prince with him, his Lord and his God.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
33:20 And he erected there an altar, and called {g} it Elelohe-Israel.
(g) He calls the sign, the thing which it signifies, in token that God had mightily delivered him.