Genesis 35:2

Translations

Modern

So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments.

Traditional

Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:

Literal

And Jacob said to his house and to all who were with him, “Remove the foreign gods that are in your midst, and purify yourselves, and change your garments.

Latin

Jacob vero convocata omni domo sua, ait: Abjicite deos alienos qui in medio vestri sunt, et mundamini, ac mutate vestimenta vestra.

Original

Hebrew

English

So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments.

Notes

Genesis 35:2–4

Jacob vowed to fully devote himself to the Lord (28:20–22). To establish this devotion, his family had to get rid of all pagan idols and stop worshiping other gods. God allows no rivals. Only the Lord could be their God (compare Joshua 5:1–9).

Genesis 35:1–7

Jacob returned to Bethel, about 24 kilometers (15 miles) south of Shechem, to fulfill the vows he made there (28:20–22).

Genesis 35:1–29

This chapter discusses God's promises, Jacob's vow, and how Jacob's sons continue the covenant. Deborah, Rachel, and Isaac died. This marked the end of an era and the story of Isaac's family (25:19–35:29).
They removed idols (35:1–4) and established pure worship (35:6–7). During this time, they needed to renew their faith so Jacob's sons could continue the covenant.

Theme notes and profiles

Jacob Symbolic Numbers

Related verses

Exodus 19:14
When Moses came down from the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.
Exodus 19:10
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes
Ezekiel 18:31
Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel?
James 4:8
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Genesis 18:19
For I have chosen him, so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, in order that the LORD may bring upon Abraham what He has promised.”
Joshua 24:23
“Now, therefore,” he said, “get rid of the foreign gods among you and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.”
1 Peter 2:1–2
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.
Ezekiel 36:25
I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.
Joshua 24:15
But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
Hebrews 10:22
…let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Genesis 31:19
Now while Laban was out shearing his sheep, Rachel stole her father’s household idols.

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Burial, Burial Customs Ebla Tablets Genesis, Book of Jeroboam Judges, Book of Monotheism Patriarchs, Period of the

Topics

Altar: Built by Jacob Beth-El: A City North of Jerusalem: And Builds an Altar At Families: Good: Jacob Family: Good: Jacob Garments were often Changed Holiness: General Scriptures Concerning Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Jacob Idolatry: Denunciations Against Idolatry: Early Notice of, Amongst God's Professing People Idolatry: Incompatible with the Service of God Idolatry: Objects of Described as Strange Gods Jacob: Returns to Beth-El, where he Builds an Altar, and Erects and Dedicates a Pillar Masters: Good: Jacob Masters: Should, with Their Households: Put Away Idols Patriarchal Government: Exercised in Acting As Priests Polytheism: General Scriptures Concerning Purification: Scriptures Relating To Social and Family Prayer: Jacob Teraphim: Condemned and Disposed of by Jacob Worship of Jacob Worship: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Genesis 35:2

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