Gen 35:7 | KingComments | STEP | During his first stay in Bethel, Jacob called Bethel an “awesome” place ( ). Now he is there again, but without fear. He builds an altar, that is, he worships God for Whom He is. Jacob made an altar at Shechem ( ), but without a command from God to build an altar there. God does not appear to him there either. God Himself indicates where and how He wants to be worshiped: “Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth”” ( ). When Jacob is ready, he calls this place “El-bethel” ( ), which is the “God of the house of God” (cf. ).

‏ Genesis 35:7

Jacob Comes to Bethel

During his first stay in Bethel, Jacob called Bethel an “awesome” place (Gen 28:17). Now he is there again, but without fear. He builds an altar, that is, he worships God for Whom He is. Jacob made an altar at Shechem (Gen 33:18-20), but without a command from God to build an altar there. God does not appear to him there either.

God Himself indicates where and how He wants to be worshiped: “Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth”” (Jn 4:21-24). When Jacob is ready, he calls this place “El-bethel” (Gen 35:7), which is the “God of the house of God” (cf. Gen 33:20).