Now Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died and was buried under the oak below Bethel. So Jacob named it Allon-bachuth. Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, diedDeborah is mentioned here for the first time by name, though her role as Rebekah's nurse suggests she was part of the household since Genesis 24:59, when Rebekah left her family to marry Isaac. Her death marks the end of an era, as she was likely a significant figure in Jacob's life, possibly serving as a maternal figure. The mention of her death highlights the importance of her role and the respect she commanded within the family. and was buried under the oak below Bethel.
The burial under an oak tree signifies a place of honor and remembrance. Oaks were often associated with significant events and covenants in the Old Testament (e.g., Genesis 12:6-7, Joshua 24:26). Bethel, meaning "House of God," was a significant location for Jacob, where he previously encountered God (Genesis 28:19). This burial site underlines the sacredness of the location and the importance of Deborah's role in the family. So Jacob named it Allon-bacuth.
The name Allon-bacuth means "Oak of Weeping," indicating the mourning and respect for Deborah. Naming places after significant events or people was a common practice in biblical times, serving as a memorial for future generations. This act of naming by Jacob reflects his deep sense of loss and the impact Deborah had on his life. It also connects to the broader biblical theme of remembrance and the importance of legacy within God's covenant people. Persons / Places / Events 1. DeborahRebekah's nurse, who played a significant role in the household of Isaac and Rebekah. Her death marks an important moment in Jacob's journey. 2. RebekahAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, she is the mother of Jacob and Esau, and Deborah was her nurse. Her influence is indirectly noted through Deborah's presence. 3. BethelA significant location in Jacob's life, where he had previously encountered God. It serves as a backdrop for this event, symbolizing a place of divine encounter and remembrance. 4. Allon-bacuthMeaning "Oak of Weeping," this name reflects the mourning for Deborah and signifies the emotional impact of her death on Jacob's family. 5. JacobThe patriarch who is on a journey of faith and obedience, returning to Bethel as God commanded. This event occurs during his travels. Teaching Points The Importance of Spiritual MentorsDeborah's role as a nurse and spiritual mentor in the family highlights the value of godly influences in our lives. We should seek and honor those who guide us in faith. Significance of Places in Our Spiritual JourneyBethel represents a place of encounter with God. We should remember and return to our "Bethels," places or moments where God has spoken to us. The Reality of Grief in the Journey of FaithThe naming of Allon-bacuth acknowledges the pain of loss. As believers, we can find comfort in God's presence even in times of mourning. Obedience and RemembranceJacob's return to Bethel and the events surrounding it remind us of the importance of obedience to God's call and remembering His faithfulness. Bible Study Questions 1. What role did Deborah play in Jacob's family, and how can we identify similar mentors in our own lives? 2. How does the location of Bethel serve as a significant place in Jacob's spiritual journey, and what are some "Bethels" in your life? 3. In what ways can we honor the memory of those who have been spiritual influences in our lives, similar to how Jacob honored Deborah? 4. How does the naming of Allon-bacuth reflect the reality of grief, and how can we find comfort in God during times of loss? 5. What lessons can we learn from Jacob's obedience to return to Bethel, and how can we apply these lessons in our walk with God? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 28Jacob's initial encounter with God at Bethel, where he received promises and set up a pillar, connects to his return to Bethel in Genesis 35. Genesis 24The introduction of Rebekah and her nurse, Deborah, provides background to Deborah's role and significance in the family. 1 Samuel 31The burial of Saul and his sons under a tree also signifies a place of mourning and remembrance, similar to Deborah's burial under the oak. People Allon, Aram, Arba, Asher, Benjamin, Benoni, Bilhah, Dan, Deborah, Eder, Ephrath, Esau, Gad, Isaac, Issachar, Jacob, Joseph, Leah, Levi, Mamre, Naphtali, Rachel, Rebekah, Reuben, Simeon, Zebulun, ZilpahPlaces Allon-bacuth, Bethel, Bethlehem, Canaan, Eder, El-bethel, Ephrath, Hebron, Kiriath-arba, Luz, Mamre, Paddan-aram, ShechemTopics Allon, Allonbachuth, Allon-bachuth, Allon-bacuth, Al'lon-bacuth, Bacuth, Below, Beneath, Bethel, Beth-el, Birth, Buried, Calleth, Care, Deborah, Deb'orah, Died, Dieth, Holy, Lower, Named, Nurse, Oak, Rebecca's, Rebekah, Rebekah's, Rest, Servant, Tree, WeepingDictionary of Bible Themes Genesis 35:8 4528 trees
5241 burial
5428 nurse Genesis 35:7-10 5044 names, giving of Library February the Eighth Revisiting Old Altars
"I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress." --GENESIS xxxv. 1-7. It is a blessed thing to revisit our early altars. It is good to return to the haunts of early vision. Places and things have their sanctifying influences, and can recall us to lost experiences. I know a man to whom the scent of a white, wild rose is always a call to prayer. I know another to whom Grasmere is always the window of holy vision. Sometimes a particular pew in a particular church …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling YearOur Last ChapterConcluded with the Words, "For Childhood and Youth are Vanity"...
Our last chapter concluded with the words, "For childhood and youth are vanity": that is, childhood proves the emptiness of all "beneath the sun," as well as old age. The heart of the child has the same needs--the same capacity in kind--as that of the aged. It needs God. Unless it knows Him, and His love is there, it is empty; and, in its fleeting character, childhood proves its vanity. But this makes us quite sure that if childhood can feel the need, then God has, in His wide grace, met the …
F. C. Jennings—Old Groans and New Songs The Death of Abraham
'Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.'--GENESIS xxv. 8. 'Full of years' does not seem to me to be a mere synonym for longevity. That would be an intolerable tautology, for we should then have the same thing said three times over--'an old man,' 'in a good old age,' 'full of years.' There must be some other idea than that in the words. If you notice that the expression is by no means a usual one, that it is only …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Trials and visions of Devout Youth
'And Jacob dwelt in the land wherein his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report. Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours. And when his brethren saw that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The National Oath at Shechem
'And Joshua said unto the people. Ye cannot serve the Lord: for He is an holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins. 20. If ye forsake the Lord, and serve strange gods, then He will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that He hath done you good. 21. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve the Lord. 22. And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves, that ye have chosen you the Lord, to serve Him. And they said, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. 14:12). In our last chapter we considered at some length the much debated and difficult question of the human will. We have shown that the will of the natural man is neither Sovereign nor free but, instead, a servant and slave. We have argued that a right conception of the sinner's will-its servitude-is essential to a just estimate of his depravity and ruin. The utter corruption and degradation of human nature is something which …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God The Birth of Jesus.
(at Bethlehem of Judæa, b.c. 5.) ^C Luke II. 1-7. ^c 1 Now it came to pass in those days [the days of the birth of John the Baptist], there went out a decree [a law] from Cæsar Augustus [Octavius, or Augustus, Cæsar was the nephew of and successor to Julius Cæsar. He took the name Augustus in compliment to his own greatness; and our month August is named for him; its old name being Sextilis], that all the world should be enrolled. [This enrollment or census was the first step …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Genesis
The Old Testament opens very impressively. In measured and dignified language it introduces the story of Israel's origin and settlement upon the land of Canaan (Gen.--Josh.) by the story of creation, i.-ii. 4a, and thus suggests, at the very beginning, the far-reaching purpose and the world-wide significance of the people and religion of Israel. The narrative has not travelled far till it becomes apparent that its dominant interests are to be religious and moral; for, after a pictorial sketch of …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Genesis 35:8 NIVGenesis 35:8 NLTGenesis 35:8 ESVGenesis 35:8 NASBGenesis 35:8 KJV
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