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Genesis 28:19

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 28:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he called the name of that place Beth-el. But the name of the city was Luz at the first.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he called the name of that place Beth-el. But the name of the city was Luz at the first.
Genesis 28:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 28

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely Jehovah is in this place. And I knew it not.
17And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
18And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
19And he called the name of that place Beth-el. But the name of the city was Luz at the first.
20And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
21so that I come again to my father`s house in peace, and Jehovah will be my God,
22then this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be God`s house. And of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
← Genesis 28:18Genesis 28:20 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he called the name of that place Bethel, etc.] The house of God, which he took this place to be: but the name of that city [was called] Luz at the first; which signifies an almond or hazel nut, (<013037>Genesis 30:37); perhaps from the number of this sort of trees that grew there, under which Jacob might lay himself down, which was probably in the field of Luz; and being at night, he might not know there was a city so near, until the morning. Though Josephus f1456 says he did it purposely, out of hatred to the Canaanites, and chose rather to lie under the open air. This was about twelve miles from Jerusalem, as Jerom f1457 says.”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“28:19 Bethel later became a holy site for Israel (see Judg 20:18-27; 1 Sam 7:16; 10:3; 1 Kgs 12:26–13:10; 2 Kgs 2:2-3).”
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Related study paths

Read Genesis 28 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification