Genesis 35:19

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 35:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath (the same is Beth-lehem).” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath (the same is Beth-lehem).
Genesis 35:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 35

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath (the same is Beth-lehem).

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 Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which [is] Bethlehem. Hence called Bethlehem Ephratah, (<330502>Micah 5:2); with great pertinency is Rachel represented as if risen from her grave, and weeping for her children, when the children of Bethlehem, and thereabout, were slain by Herod, she being buried so near that place, (<400216>Matthew 2:16-18); at what age she died is not said. Polyhistor, out of Demetrius f1586 , reports, that she died after Jacob had lived with her twenty three years.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Ephrath, which is Beth-lehem--The one, the old name; the other, the later name, signifying "house of bread."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“- The Death of Isaac 8. דברה deborâh, Deborah, “bee.” בּכוּת אלּון 'alôn-bākût, Allon-bakuth, “oak of weeping.” 16. כברה kı̂brâh, “length stretch.” A certain but unknown distance, a stadium or furlong (Josephus) a hippodrome (Septuagint) which was somewhat longer, a mile (Kimchi). אפרת 'ephrâth, Ephrath, “fruitful or ashy.” 18. בן־אוני ben-'ônı̂y, Ben-oni, “son of my pain.” בנימין bı̂nyāmı̂yn, Binjamin, “son of the right hand.” 19. לחם בית bēyt-lechem, Beth-lechem, “house of bread.” 21. עדר ‛ěder, ‘Eder, “flock, fold.” This chapter contains the return of Jacob to his father’s house, and then appends the death of Isaac. Genesis 35:1-8 Jacob returns to Bethel. “And God said unto…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“35:19 Jacob did not carry Rachel’s body to the family tomb at Machpelah (23:1-20; 25:9; 49:30; 50:13) but buried her in the territory that would be Benjamin’s (see Josh 18:21-28; 1 Sam 10:2).”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification