Topical Bible: Altar: Built by Jacob

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The altar built by Jacob holds significant importance in the biblical narrative, symbolizing moments of divine encounter and covenantal commitment. Jacob, the grandson of Abraham and son of Isaac, is a patriarch whose life is marked by profound experiences with God, often commemorated through the construction of altars.

Bethel: The First Altar

Jacob's first notable altar-building event occurs at Bethel. After deceiving his brother Esau and fleeing from his home, Jacob encounters God in a dream at a place he names Bethel, meaning "House of God." In Genesis 28:18-19 , it is recorded: "Early the next morning, Jacob took the stone that he had placed under his head, and he set it up as a pillar. He poured oil on top of it, and he called that place Bethel, though previously the city had been named Luz." This act of setting up a pillar and anointing it with oil is an early form of altar construction, signifying Jacob's recognition of God's presence and his vow to serve Him.

Shechem: The Altar of El-Elohe-Israel

After returning from Paddan-aram, Jacob arrives safely in the city of Shechem in Canaan. Here, he purchases a plot of land and erects an altar, calling it El-Elohe-Israel, which means "God, the God of Israel." Genesis 33:20 states, "There he set up an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel." This altar signifies Jacob's acknowledgment of God's protection and provision during his journey and his acceptance of the new identity given to him by God, as Israel.

Bethel: The Renewal of the Covenant

Later, God instructs Jacob to return to Bethel to fulfill his vow. In Genesis 35:1-3 , God commands, "Arise, go up to Bethel and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau." Jacob obeys, purifying his household from foreign gods and journeying to Bethel. Upon arrival, he builds an altar, as recorded in Genesis 35:7 : "There Jacob built an altar, and he called the place El-Bethel, because it was there that God had revealed Himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother." This altar marks a renewal of the covenant between God and Jacob, reaffirming God's promises to him and his descendants.

Significance of Jacob's Altars

The altars built by Jacob serve as tangible expressions of his faith and encounters with God. They are places of worship, remembrance, and covenant, reflecting Jacob's evolving relationship with the Almighty. Each altar marks a pivotal moment in Jacob's life, from his initial encounter with God at Bethel to the reaffirmation of his covenantal promises. These altars underscore the importance of worship and remembrance in the life of a believer, serving as enduring symbols of God's faithfulness and the transformative power of divine encounters.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 33:20
And he erected there an altar, and called it EleloheIsrael.
Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 35:1-7
And God said to Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar to God, that appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Jacob, a Prince of God.
... to his home with the presents Jacob had given him, and Jacob went on ... blessing him,
so they journeyed on to Beth-el, and there built an altar and worshipped ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter v jacob a prince.htm

Appendix D.
... Abraham then, in the first instance, bought Sychem, Shechem, or Sychar; and there
built an altar. To that same spot, long after, his grandson Jacob resorted. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burgon/inspiration and interpretation/appendix d.htm

The Same is Proved from the visions which Appeared to Jacob.
... the following: And Jacob came to Luz, in the land of Canaan, which is Bethel, he
and all the people that were with him. And there he built an altar, and called ...
/.../chapter lviii the same is proved.htm

Chapter xxxv
... name Jacob chose is readily apparent: "The Strong One" who had so often delivered
him as He had promised at "Bethel" is the one whose altar Jacob has built. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxv.htm

Jehovah
... Moses realized that the Lord was fighting for them, and he built an altar to
Jehovah-nissi, "The Lord my ... But you may ask, what about "wrestling Jacob"? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 6 jehovah.htm

Following the Cloud.
... Moses built an altar there, and ... They had lived long among the Egyptians, and were
very far from being like Jacob and Joseph, but there were good and true ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xii following the cloud.htm

Letter Lv. To Amandus.
... Thus in Genesis Jacob says: "So shall my righteousness answer for me to-morrow ... of
Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh had built an altar and when ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lv to amandus.htm

Chapter xxxiii
... from the peculiar type of hut or booth, built for the ... And Jacob arrived safe and
sound at the city of Shechem ... There he erected an altar and called it: El-Elohe ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxiii.htm

Carmel
... Choosing "twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons
of Jacob, . . . he built an altar in the name of the Lord.". ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 11 carmel.htm

The Trial by Fire
... of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying,
Israel shall be thy name: 32. And with the stones he built an altar in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the trial by fire.htm