Genesis 35

Genesis 35 recounts Jacob's journey back to Bethel and several significant family events that follow.

God instructs Jacob to go to Bethel, where he had earlier fled from his brother Esau, and build an altar there. Jacob prepares his household by having them put away their foreign gods, purify themselves, and change their clothes before the journey. God protects Jacob's family as they travel, causing terror to fall on the surrounding towns so no one pursues them.

At Bethel, Jacob builds an altar and names it Elbethel (God of Bethel). Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, dies and is buried there.

God appears to Jacob again, reaffirms his name change to Israel, and repeats the covenant promises about descendants and land. Jacob sets up a stone pillar at this place of divine encounter.

As they journey from Bethel toward Ephrath (Bethlehem), Rachel goes into difficult labor and dies while giving birth to Benjamin. Jacob sets up a pillar at her grave.

While in that region, Jacob's eldest son Reuben sleeps with Bilhah, his father's concubine — a serious transgression noted but not immediately addressed.

The chapter lists all twelve sons of Jacob, grouped by their mothers. Finally, Jacob returns to his father Isaac at Mamre (Hebron), and the chapter ends with Isaac's death at 180 years old and his burial by both his sons, Esau and Jacob.