Then let us arise and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”
Parallel translations
- WEB Let us arise, and go up to Bethel. I will make there an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me on the way which I went.”
- KJV And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
- NKJV Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.”
- NASB and let’s arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me on the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.”
- NLT We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jacob resolves to build an altar at Bethel to the God who answered him in distress and kept him on his journey.
Overview
Jacob remembers God's faithfulness throughout his years of trouble and exile, grounding his obedience in gratitude. His words testify that the LORD had been with him 'on the way,' fulfilling the promise made at Bethel. This thankful return to worship models a faith that responds to God's covenant kindness with renewed devotion.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 20
- Isa 43:2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.
- Gen 32:7In great fear and distress, Jacob divided his people into two camps, as well as the flocks and herds and camels.
- Gen 31:3Then the LORD said to Jacob, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you.”
- Prov 3:6in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
- Gen 31:42If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac, had not been with me, surely by now you would have sent me away empty-handed. But God has seen my affliction and the toil of my hands, and last night He rendered judgment.”
- Isa 30:19O people in Zion who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will surely be gracious when you cry for help; when He hears, He will answer you.
- Gen 28:15Look, I am with you, and I will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
- Ps 107:6Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He delivered them from their distress.
- Gen 32:24So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
- Ps 50:15Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”
- Ps 107:8Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.
- Ps 103:1–5Of David. Bless the LORD, O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name.
- Gen 28:20–22Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, and if He will provide me with food to eat and clothes to wear,
- Gen 28:12–13And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder.
- Ps 66:13–14I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will fulfill my vows to You—
- Ps 46:1For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
- Ps 91:15When he calls out to Me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him and honor him.
- Ps 116:16–18Truly, O LORD, I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your maidservant; You have broken my bonds.
- Ps 118:19–22Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter and give thanks to the LORD.
- Ps 116:1–2I love the LORD, for He has heard my voice—my appeal for mercy.
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Christ at the center
From the first promise that the seed of the woman would crush the serpent (3:15), through Abraham's blessing to all nations and Judah's coming ruler, Genesis sows every seed that flowers in Christ — the true offspring, the better Adam, the ram caught for Isaac.
How Genesis 35:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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