Gen 35:1-4 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Gen 35:1-29: 35:1-29 This chapter highlights God’s promises, Jacob’s vow, and the transition to Jacob’s sons’ carrying on the covenant. Deborah, Rachel, and Isaac all died, marking the end of an era and of the account of Isaac’s family (25:19–35:29 ). • Idols were removed (35:1-4 ) and pure worship was established (35:6-7 ). During this transition, the faith had to be revitalized so that the covenant could be carried forward by Jacob’s sons. Summary for Gen 35:1-7: 35:1-7 Jacob returned to Bethel , about fifteen miles south of Shechem, to complete the vows he had made there (28:20-22 ).

a35:1-29►

b25:19–35:29►

c35:1-4►

d35:6-7►

e35:1-7►

f28:20-22►

g35:2-4►

h28:20-22►

iJosh 5:1-9►

j35:3►

k28:15►

l31:3►

‏ Genesis 35:1-4

Summary for Gen 35:1-29: 35:1-29 ^a This chapter highlights God’s promises, Jacob’s vow, and the transition to Jacob’s sons’ carrying on the covenant. Deborah, Rachel, and Isaac all died, marking the end of an era and of the account of Isaac’s family (25:19–35:29 ^b).

• Idols were removed (35:1-4 ^c) and pure worship was established (35:6-7 ^d). During this transition, the faith had to be revitalized so that the covenant could be carried forward by Jacob’s sons.
Summary for Gen 35:1-7: 35:1-7 ^e Jacob returned to Bethel, about fifteen miles south of Shechem, to complete the vows he had made there (28:20-22 ^f).
Summary for Gen 35:2-4: 35:2-4 ^g Jacob had vowed wholehearted devotion to the Lord (28:20-22 ^h); establishing this required that his family remove all pagan idols and cease their devotion to other gods. God permits no rivals; only the Lord was to be their God (cp. Josh 5:1-9 ⁱ).
35:3 ^j He has been with me wherever I have gone: God had fulfilled his promises (28:15 ^k; 31:3 ^l), so Jacob must fulfill his vow.