And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, [even] a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
14. And Jacob, &c.] This verse, probably from J, contains a parallel account to that of E in Gen 28:18. Jacob erects a pillar, or upright stone ( mabah): and this he consecrates with a libation of oil and a drink offering. Whether this is the account of another pillar at Bethel, or is a parallel version of the account in ch. 28, is uncertain.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 14. A drink-offering] nesech, a libation. These were afterwards very common in all countries. At first they consisted probably of water only, afterwards wine was used; see on Le 7:1, c. The pillar which Jacob set up was to commemorate the appearance of God to him the drink-offering and the oil were intended to express his gratitude and devotion to his preserver. It was probably the same pillar which he had set up before, which had since been thrown down, and which he had consecrated afresh to God.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Either he repaired the old pillar set up by him, Gen 28:18, which was ruined by the injury of time, or by the neighbouring idolaters; or rather erected a new one, more stable and durable than he could do in that time, as a monument or witness of Gods manifold favours, and of his own gratitude. The
drink-offering was of wine, as may be gathered by comparing Exo 29:40; Num 28:14.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him,…. He had set up a pillar in this place before he went to Padanaram, Ge 28:18; and some, think this pillar is here referred to, and render the words, “had set up a pillar” y; but as that was done thirty years ago, it is very likely it was demolished by the Heathens before this time, or was fallen to ruin, wherefore this must be at least a renewal or reparation of it: though it rather seems to be another pillar, and quite a new one, being set up in that very spot of ground, over or on which God had been talking with him: and the following account of it seems to confirm the same,
[even] a pillar of stone; made of several stones hewed and polished, and well put together; whereas the former was but a single stone, rude and unpolished, though it is probable it was one of these:
and he poured a drink offering thereon; of wine, of which drink offerings under the law were, thereby consecrating it to the worship and service of God. Aben Ezra says it was either of water or of wine, with which he washed it, and after that poured oil on it; and the Targum of Jonathan says, he poured a drink offering of wine, and a drink offering of water:
and he poured oil thereon; as he did before;
[See comments on Ge 28:18].
y “erexerat”, Vatablus; “et statuerat”, Piscator; so Aben Ezra.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
14. And Jacob set up a pillar. Though it is possible that he may again have erected a sacred monument, in memory of the second vision; yet I readily subscribe to the opinion of those who think that reference is made to what had been done before; as if Moses should say, that was the ancient temple of God, in which Jacob had poured forth his libation: for he had not been commanded to come thither for the sake of dwelling there; but in order that a fresh view of the place might renew his faith in the ancient oracle, and more fully confirm it. We read elsewhere that altars were built by the holy fathers, where they intended to remain longer; but their reason for doing so was different: for whereas Jacob had made a solemn vow in Beth-el, on condition that he should be brought back by the Lord in safety; thanksgiving is now required of him, after he has become bound by his vow, (126) that, being strengthened, he may pass onward on his journey.
(126) Nune gratiarum actio ab eo exigitur, postquam reus voti factus est, ut confirmatus alio transeat. The French translation of “ postquam reus voti factus est ” is, “ apres qu’il a eu jouissance de son souhait,” “after he had obtained the enjoyment of his wish;” and this would read more smoothly than the translation given above; but is “ reus voti ” capable of such a version? — Vide Lexicon Facciolati, sub voce reus. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(14) Jacob set up a pillar.In doing this Jacob was imitating his previous action when God manifested Himself to him in his journey to Haran, Gen. 28:18. This consecration of it by pouring on it oil, and offering to God a drink-offering, was in itself natural and right. But as these memorial pillars were subsequently worshipped, they were expressly forbidden by the Mosaic Law, the word correctly rendered pillar in this place being translated standing image in Lev. 26:1, and image in Deu. 16:22.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
14. Set up a pillar As he had done at the former time, (Gen 28:18,) but now with much more expense and ceremony.
Poured a drink-offering poured oil This is the first mention in the Scripture of a drink-offering, or libation of wine. They were afterwards common in the worship of Israel. “The stone designates the ideal house of God, and in this significance must be distinguished from the altar. Through the drink-offering Jacob consecrates the enjoyment of his prosperity to the Lord; through the oil he raises the stone, as well as his thanksgiving, to a lasting sacred remembrance.” Lange.
‘And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he spoke with him, a pillar of stone. And he poured out a drink offering on it, and poured oil on it.’
This is the second pillar that Jacob has set up. The first commemorated his first vision when he saw the angels of God ascending and descending on a ramp as they went about their heavenly business in the world, and was assured of God’s presence with him and watch over him and his participation in the covenant (Gen 27:18). It was set up in the place where he slept. This one commemorates an even greater occasion, the awesome visible manifestation of God in renewal of that covenant now that he is back in the land of promise. Again the pillar is witness to the covenant that has been made. It is set up at the very site of the theophany. As we have seen earlier, Jacob was a great one for requiring evidence of covenants (Gen 26:33).
“And he poured out a drink offering on it, and poured oil on it.” The first pillar was set apart to God by the pouring of oil on it and it marked God’s visit and presence, but there was no thought there of an offering. It was a reminder of what had happened and of the covenant made. Here the offering comes first. Jacob pours out a drink offering to God, and only then does he sanctify it to God. It is a recognition of God’s continued presence.
Gen 35:14. Set up a pillar For a monument and an altar, which he consecrated with the usual form, by pouring wine and oil upon it. Thus he dedicated the place to God, and, no doubt, performed all that he had vowed, ch. 28:
Some one, speaking of Jacob’s vow, excellently observes, “Though God always gives when he receives, and more and better than he receives; and though he is content to make conditions with us, that if we will through his grace do our part, perform our duty to him, he will give us all those blessings which he hath promised, or we can expect; yet we may not presume to make conditions with him, that if he will first bestow such and such favours upon us, we will then serve him, and put our trust in him, to which Jacob’s form of prayer seems to incite us: If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, &c. then shall the Lord be my God, &c. Gen 28:20; Gen 28:22. Jacob was no stranger to God when he made this vow; he had newly had a vision of him, God is in this place, &c. This is no other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven, &c. He had newly erected an altar to him, and consecrated it; and then he prayed, and made his vow, in confidence, not in doubt, if the Lord will be with me, &c. and what did he pray for? Nothing, but that he would keep him in the way that he went, give him bread to eat, and raiment to put on, &c. When God hath given us that evidence of his care of us which he did to Jacob, and we have given him that evidence of our dependence upon him which Jacob did, he will not take any (if) in our prayers or vows to him, to be a condition or a doubt of him, but an expression of our confidence in him, and dependence upon him, as it was in Jacob.”
REFLECTIONS.We have in the foregoing verses,
1. Jacob’s preparation for his journey: better late than never. And as his abode must be at Beth-el, his family must go with him: but first they must get ready for the worship there to be performed, (1.) By putting away their idols. Note; There is no drawing near God with any prospect of acceptance, with allowed sin in the heart. (2.) By washing their garments, typical of that spiritual purity which becomes the worshippers of Jehovah. Note; We must have the fine linen white and clean, which is the righteousness of the saints, or our services cannot please God.
2. Their obedience. It was strange, that such idol vanities should be found in Jacob’s family: but it was happy that they so readily consented to part with them. Had he commanded it before, he might have succeeded. Note; much might be done, yea, more than we imagine, if we had a greater zeal for God. All now are given up, even to their ear-rings, stampt with idol images, and worn as charms, and they are buried that they may never be found. Note; When we part with our sins, it must be with full purpose of heart never to return to them.
Having thus made the needful preparations, they journey in safety. Though justly incensed, God puts his fear upon the nations around. And as Jacob’s family had now put away their idols, and were going to God’s altar, none shall hurt them. Note; When we are about God’s work, we are under his special care. And now they arrive,
1. He builds an altar, and with his family worships the God of Beth-el. It is our comfort in the church of God, to enjoy the presence and communion of the God of the church. We have in the next place, 2. No sooner is the appearance of God’s glory gone up from over him, than Jacob erects a noble memorial of the favour, and confirms the name of Beth-el to the place. How little did Jacob think, that this house of God should one day become Bethaven, a house of iniquity, and one of Jeroboam’s calves be fixed upon this very pillar? Note; How many a church, when the faithful Jacob, the pastor, is gone, hath experienced this awful change!
Every renewed token of JESUS’ love, ought to beget in our hearts renewed thankfulness. If a gracious GOD at any time fulfils a promise, every gracious child would desire to act faith upon his faithfulness.
Gen 35:14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, [even] a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon.
Ver. 14. And Jacob set up a pillar. ] Or, Had set up a pillar, had poured a drink offering, &c., – to wit, Gen 28:18-19 . And now he either repeats it in the presence, and for the edification of his family; or else he repairs the pillar now ruinated, and new consecrates it, by the old name Bethel.
set up a pillar = Hebrew pillared a pillar. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6.
poured a drink offering. See App-15. First occurrence of “drink offering”: afterward provided for in Lev 23:13, Lev 23:18, Lev 23:37, and in Num 15:5-10. Always “poured out, “never drunk.
drink offering
The first mention of the drink-offering. It is not mentioned among the Levitical offerings of Leviticus 1-7, though included in the instructions for sacrifice in the land Num 15:5-7. It was always “poured out,” never drunk, and may be considered a type of Christ in the sense of; Psa 22:14; Isa 53:12.
Gen 35:20, Gen 28:18, Gen 28:19, Exo 17:15, 1Sa 7:12
Reciprocal: Exo 29:40 – a drink 2Ch 29:35 – the drink Psa 16:4 – drink
Gen 35:14. And Jacob set up a pillar When he was going to Padan-aram he set up that stone which he had laid his head on for a pillow; but now he took time to erect one more stately and durable, probably inserting that stone in it. And in token of his intending it for a sacred memorial of his communion with God, he poured oil, and the other ingredients of a drink- offering, upon it. And he confirmed the name he had formerly given to the place, Beth-el, the house of God. Yet this very place afterward lost the honour of its name, and became Beth-aven, a house of iniquity; for here it was that Jeroboam set up one of his calves. It is impossible for the best men to entail so much as the profession and form of religion upon a place.
Gen 35:16-17. She had hard labour Harder than usual. Rachel had said when she bore Joseph, God shall give me another son, which now the midwife remembers, and tells her, her words were made good. Yet this did not avail; unless God command away fear, no one else can. We are apt in extreme perils to comfort ourselves and our friends with the hopes of a temporal deliverance, in which we may be disappointed; we had better ground our comforts on that which cannot fail us, the hope of eternal life. Rachel had passionately said, Give me children, or else I die; and now she had children (for this was her second) she died.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
2. Rebekah’s nurse is buried with respect and sorrow. Note; An old and faithful servant in a family deserves respect, and should, when lost, be lamented as a friend or a brother.
1. God’s appearance to Jacob again in Beth-el. When we are found waiting upon God, he will not fail to meet us in his ways. God now confirms his name of Israel, as a new support against the fear of the Canaanites, and renews his covenant with him respecting the land and the seed to inherit it, as the Almighty God, able to fulfil his promises to the uttermost. Note; God hath given us Christ the Seed, and promised us heaven as the land. May we with Jacob rejoice in hope!
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments