Genesis 35:8

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 35:8 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Deborah Rebekah`s nurse died, and she was buried below Beth-el under the oak: and the name of it was called Allon-bacuth.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Deborah Rebekah`s nurse died, and she was buried below Beth-el under the oak: and the name of it was called Allon-bacuth.
Genesis 35:8 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 35

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8And Deborah Rebekah`s nurse died, and she was buried below Beth-el under the oak: and the name of it was called Allon-bacuth.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, etc.] That is, when, and quickly after they were come to Bethel; a nurse of Rebekah’s came with her to Canaan, when she married Isaac, and is generally thought to be this Deborah, which is not improbable, (<012459>Genesis 24:59), though she might have more nurses than one, as great personages sometimes have, and then it will not be so difficult to answer the objection made here; that Rebekah’s nurse, whom Jacob is supposed to leave in Canaan when he went to Padanaram, should now be in his family when he returned from hence; since the reply would be, that that nurse and this Deborah were not the same; but supposing them to be the same, which is most likely,…”
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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
“Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died--This event seems to have taken place before the solemnities were commenced. Deborah (Hebrew, a "bee"), supposing her to have been fifty years on coming to Canaan, had attained the great age of a hundred eighty. When she was removed from Isaac's household to Jacob's, is unknown. But it probably was on his return from Mesopotamia; and she would have been of invaluable service to his young family. Old nurses, like her, were not only honored, but loved as mothers; and, accordingly, her death was the occasion of great lamentation. She was buried under the oak--hence called "the terebinth of tears" (compare Kg1 13:14). God was pleased to make a new appearance to him…”
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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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