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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 35:16 Later, they set out from Bethel, and while they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/35-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/01_Gen_35_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 35:16 - Benjamin is Born, Rachel Dies" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Later, they set out from Bethel, and while they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/genesis/35-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/genesis/35-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/genesis/">Genesis</a> > <a href="/genesis/35.htm">Chapter 35</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/35-15.htm" title="Genesis 35:15">◄</a> Genesis 35:16 <a href="/genesis/35-17.htm" title="Genesis 35:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/35.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/35.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then they moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/35.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Leaving Bethel, Jacob and his clan moved on toward Ephrath. But Rachel went into labor while they were still some distance away. Her labor pains were intense.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/35.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/35.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Later, they set out from Bethel, and while they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/35.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/35.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored <i>in childbirth,</i> and she had hard labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/35.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then they journeyed on from Bethel; but when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and she suffered severe difficulties in her labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/35.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then they journeyed from Bethel; and when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and she suffered severe labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/35.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then they journeyed from Bethel; and when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and she suffered severe labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/35.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then they journeyed from Bethel; and there was still some distance to go to Ephrath, and Rachel gave birth, and she suffered severely in her labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/35.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then they journeyed from Bethel; and when there was still some distance to go to Ephrath (Bethlehem), Rachel began to give birth and had difficulty <i>and</i> suffered severely.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/35.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They set out from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/35.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They set out from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/35.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they journeyed from Beth-el; and there was still some distance to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/35.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jacob and his family had left Bethel and were still a long way from Ephrath, when the time came for Rachel's baby to be born. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/35.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they journeyed from Beth-el; and there was still some way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/35.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then they moved on from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor and was having severe labor pains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/35.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Jacob and his family left Bethel, and when they were still some distance from Ephrath, the time came for Rachel to have her baby, and she was having difficult labor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/35.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Later, they set out from Beth-el. While still a long way from Ephrathah, Rachel started to have trouble giving birth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/35.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Later, they set out from Bethel, and while they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/35.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They traveled on from Bethel, and when Ephrath was still some distance away, Rachel went into labor--and her labor was hard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/35.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then they set out from Bethel. There was still some distance to come to Ephrath, and Rachel went into labor, and her labor was difficult.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/35.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they journeyed from Beth-el; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/35.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They traveled from Bethel. There was still some distance to come to Ephrath, and Rachel travailed. She had hard labor. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/35.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they journey from Bethel, and there is yet a distance of land before entering Ephratha, and Rachel bears, and is sharply pained in her bearing;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/35.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And they journey from Bethel, and there is yet a kibrath of land before entering Ephratha, and Rachel beareth, and is sharply pained in her bearing;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/35.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will remove from the House of God; and there will be yet a measure of land to come to Ephrath: and Rachel will bring forth, and she will be hard in bringing forth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/35.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And going forth from thence, he came in the springtime to the land which leadeth to Ephrata: wherein when Rachel was in travail, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/35.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then, departing from there, he arrived in springtime at the land that leads to Ephrath. And there, when Rachel was giving birth,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/35.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then they departed from Bethel; but while they still had some distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel went into labor and suffered great distress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/35.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then they journeyed from Bethel; and when they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel was in childbirth, and she had hard labor.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/35.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they journeyed from Bethel, and continued until they came within the distance of a mile from the entrance to Ephrath; and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labor while she was being delivered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/35.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he picked up from BaythEil and traveled again about a journey of a Pharsakh of the land, to enter Ephrath, and Rakhyl gave birth, and she went into hard labor when she was giving birth.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/35.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they journeyed from Beth-el; and there was still some way to come to Ephrath; and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/35.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br /><i> And Jacob removed from Baethel, and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Gader,</i> and it came to pass when he drew nigh to Chabratha, to enter into Ephratha, Rachel travailed; and in her travail she was in hard labour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/35-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=8880" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/35.htm">Benjamin is Born, Rachel Dies</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5265.htm" title="5265: way·yis·‘ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To pull out or up, set out, journey. A primitive root; properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. Start on a journey.">Later, they set out</a> <a href="/hebrew/1008.htm" title="1008: mib·bêṯ (Prep) -- From bayith and 'el; house of God; Beth-El, a place in Palestine.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/1008.htm" title="1008: ’êl (Prep:: N-proper-fs) -- From bayith and 'el; house of God; Beth-El, a place in Palestine.">Bethel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî- (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">and while they were</a> <a href="/hebrew/5750.htm" title="5750: ‘ō·wḏ (Adv) -- Or rod; from uwd; properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially, again, repeatedly, still, more.">still</a> <a href="/hebrew/3530.htm" title="3530: kiḇ·raṯ- (N-fsc) -- Distance. Feminine of kbar; properly, length, i.e. A measure.">some distance</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: lā·ḇō·w (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come."></a> <a href="/hebrew/672.htm" title="672: ’ep̄·rā·ṯāh (N-proper-fs) -- Or mephrathah; from parah; fruitfulness; Ephrath, another name for Bethlehem; once perhaps for Ephraim; also of an Israelitish woman.">from Ephrath,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7354.htm" title="7354: rā·ḥêl (N-proper-fs) -- A wife of Jacob. The same as rachel; Rachel, a wife of Jacob.">Rachel</a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: wat·tê·leḏ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">began to give birth,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3205.htm" title="3205: bə·liḏ·tāh (Prep-b:: V-Qal-Inf:: 3fs) -- A primitive root; to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage.">and her labor</a> <a href="/hebrew/7185.htm" title="7185: wat·tə·qaš (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3fs) -- To be hard, severe or fierce. A primitive root; properly, to be dense, i.e. Tough or severe.">was difficult.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>During her severe labor, the midwife said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you are having another son.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/30-24.htm">Genesis 30:24</a></span><br />She named him Joseph, and said, “May the LORD add to me another son.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/48-7.htm">Genesis 48:7</a></span><br />Now as for me, when I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died along the way in the land of Canaan, some distance from Ephrath. So I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath” (that is, Bethlehem).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-2.htm">1 Samuel 10:2</a></span><br />When you leave me today, you will find two men at Rachel’s tomb in Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you seek have been found, and now your father has stopped worrying about the donkeys and started worrying about you, asking, “What should I do about my son?”’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ruth/4-11.htm">Ruth 4:11</a></span><br />“We are witnesses,” said the elders and all the people at the gate. “May the LORD make the woman entering your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/31-15.htm">Jeremiah 31:15</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/2-18.htm">Matthew 2:18</a></span><br />“A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/2-19.htm">1 Chronicles 2:19</a></span><br />When Azubah died, Caleb married Ephrath, who bore to him Hur.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/5-1.htm">1 Chronicles 5:1</a></span><br />These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/12-12.htm">Hosea 12:12</a></span><br />Jacob fled to the land of Aram and Israel worked for a wife—for a wife he tended sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a></span><br />But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-2.htm">Matthew 1:2</a></span><br />Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-4.htm">Luke 2:4-7</a></span><br />So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David. / He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child. / While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-5.htm">John 4:5-6</a></span><br />So He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. / Since Jacob’s well was there, Jesus, weary from His journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-6.htm">Romans 9:6-13</a></span><br />It is not as though God’s word has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. / Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-21.htm">Hebrews 11:21</a></span><br />By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labor.</p><p class="hdg">a little way to come.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/5-19.htm">2 Kings 5:19</a></b></br> And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.</p><p class="hdg">Ephrath.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/48-7.htm">Genesis 48:7</a></b></br> And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet <i>there was</i> but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same <i>is</i> Bethlehem.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ruth/1-2.htm">Ruth 1:2</a></b></br> And the name of the man <i>was</i> Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/2-19.htm">1 Chronicles 2:19</a></b></br> And when Azubah was dead, Caleb took unto him Ephrath, which bare him Hur.</p><p class="hdg">hard labour.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">Genesis 3:16</a></b></br> Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire <i>shall be</i> to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_timothy/2-15.htm">1 Timothy 2:15</a></b></br> Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/30-39.htm">Beareth</a> <a href="/genesis/35-15.htm">Bethel</a> <a href="/genesis/35-15.htm">Beth-El</a> <a href="/genesis/31-13.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/genesis/18-11.htm">Childbearing</a> <a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">Childbirth</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-18.htm">Difficulty</a> <a href="/genesis/31-23.htm">Distance</a> <a href="/genesis/23-18.htm">Entering</a> <a href="/psalms/132-6.htm">Ephrath</a> <a href="/genesis/35-19.htm">Ephratha</a> <a href="/genesis/35-5.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/19-9.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/genesis/35-5.htm">Journey</a> <a href="/genesis/35-5.htm">Journeyed</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-19.htm">Kibrath</a> <a href="/genesis/31-42.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/genesis/26-22.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/revelation/12-2.htm">Pained</a> <a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">Pains</a> <a href="/genesis/33-7.htm">Rachel</a> <a href="/genesis/12-10.htm">Severe</a> <a href="/titus/1-13.htm">Sharply</a> <a href="/genesis/31-28.htm">Suffered</a> <a href="/genesis/34-19.htm">Time</a> <a href="/isaiah/66-8.htm">Travailed</a> <a href="/genesis/35-5.htm">Traveled</a> <a href="/genesis/35-9.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/36-4.htm">Beareth</a> <a href="/joshua/7-2.htm">Bethel</a> <a href="/joshua/7-2.htm">Beth-El</a> <a href="/genesis/36-5.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/genesis/35-17.htm">Childbearing</a> <a href="/genesis/35-17.htm">Childbirth</a> <a href="/genesis/35-17.htm">Difficulty</a> <a href="/genesis/37-18.htm">Distance</a> <a href="/exodus/35-15.htm">Entering</a> <a href="/genesis/35-19.htm">Ephrath</a> <a href="/genesis/35-19.htm">Ephratha</a> <a href="/genesis/35-17.htm">Great</a> <a href="/genesis/35-17.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/genesis/42-25.htm">Journey</a> <a href="/genesis/35-21.htm">Journeyed</a> <a href="/genesis/48-7.htm">Kibrath</a> <a href="/genesis/35-17.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/genesis/35-21.htm">Moved</a> <a href="/genesis/35-17.htm">Pained</a> <a href="/exodus/3-7.htm">Pains</a> <a href="/genesis/35-19.htm">Rachel</a> <a href="/genesis/35-17.htm">Severe</a> <a href="/genesis/35-17.htm">Sharply</a> <a href="/genesis/41-55.htm">Suffered</a> <a href="/genesis/38-1.htm">Time</a> <a href="/genesis/38-28.htm">Travailed</a> <a href="/genesis/35-21.htm">Traveled</a> <a href="/genesis/35-19.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 35</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/35-1.htm">God commands Jacob to go to Bethel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/35-2.htm">He purges his house of idols.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/35-6.htm">He builds an altar at Bethel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/35-8.htm">Deborah dies at Allon Bacuth.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/35-9.htm">God blesses Jacob at Bethel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/35-10.htm">Jacob Named Israel.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/35-16.htm">Rachel travails of Benjamin, and dies in the way to Edar.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Reuben lies with Bilhah.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/35-23.htm">The sons of Jacob.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/35-27.htm">Jacob comes to Isaac at Hebron.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/35-28.htm">The age, death, and burial of Isaac.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/35.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/35.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Later, they set out from Bethel</b><br>Bethel, meaning "House of God," was a significant location for Jacob, where he had previously encountered God and received His promises (<a href="/genesis/28-10.htm">Genesis 28:10-22</a>). This departure marks a transition in Jacob's journey, both physically and spiritually, as he moves from a place of divine encounter to face new challenges. Bethel's significance is underscored by its repeated mention in Jacob's life, symbolizing moments of divine revelation and covenant renewal.<p><b>and while they were still some distance from Ephrath</b><br>Ephrath, later known as Bethlehem, is a town with deep biblical roots. It is the future birthplace of King David and, prophetically, of Jesus Christ (<a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a>). The journey from Bethel to Ephrath is not just a physical one but also a narrative bridge connecting the patriarchal stories to the messianic lineage. The mention of distance highlights the unexpected nature of the events that follow, emphasizing the unpredictability of life and divine plans.<p><b>Rachel began to give birth</b><br>Rachel, Jacob's beloved wife, had long struggled with infertility, making this moment both joyous and poignant (<a href="/genesis/30.htm">Genesis 30:1-2</a>). Her pregnancy and impending childbirth are significant in the context of the fulfillment of God's promise to Jacob of numerous descendants. Rachel's role as a matriarch is crucial, and her children, Joseph and Benjamin, play pivotal roles in the unfolding narrative of Israel.<p><b>and her labor was difficult</b><br>The difficulty of Rachel's labor foreshadows the sorrow that accompanies the birth of her second son, Benjamin. This moment is a reminder of the curse of pain in childbirth pronounced in <a href="/genesis/3-16.htm">Genesis 3:16</a>, reflecting the ongoing consequences of the Fall. Rachel's struggle also serves as a narrative device to highlight the themes of suffering and redemption, which are prevalent throughout the biblical text. Her labor's difficulty underscores the cost of bringing forth new life, both physically and spiritually.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The patriarch of the Israelite tribes, Jacob is traveling with his family from Bethel, a place where he had a significant encounter with God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/r/rachel.htm">Rachel</a></b><br>Jacob's beloved wife, who is pregnant and begins to experience difficult labor during their journey.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/bethel.htm">Bethel</a></b><br>A significant location in Jacob's life, where he had previously built an altar to God and received divine promises.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/ephrath.htm">Ephrath</a></b><br>The destination towards which Jacob and his family are traveling. It is later known as Bethlehem, a place of great significance in biblical history.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/journey.htm">Journey</a></b><br>The act of traveling from Bethel to Ephrath, during which Rachel's labor begins, setting the stage for the events that follow.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_journey_of_faith.htm">The Journey of Faith</a></b><br>Just as Jacob and his family journeyed from Bethel, our lives are a journey of faith. We must trust God through the difficult and uncertain times, knowing He is with us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_pain_of_labor_and_promise_of_new_life.htm">The Pain of Labor and Promise of New Life</a></b><br>Rachel's difficult labor can symbolize the struggles we face before experiencing God's promises. Pain often precedes new beginnings and blessings.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/significance_of_places.htm">Significance of Places</a></b><br>Ephrath, later Bethlehem, reminds us that God uses specific places for His purposes. Our own "places" can be significant in our spiritual journey.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_difficult_times.htm">God's Sovereignty in Difficult Times</a></b><br>Rachel's labor was difficult, yet it was part of God's sovereign plan. We can trust that God is in control, even when circumstances are challenging.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legacy_and_fulfillment.htm">Legacy and Fulfillment</a></b><br>The journey to Ephrath connects to the broader account of God's plan for Israel and the coming of the Messiah. Our lives are part of a larger account that God is writing.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_35.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 35</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_rachel's_death_site_verified_externally.htm">(Genesis 35:16–19) Can Rachel’s fatal childbirth and burial location be corroborated by any external evidence or timeline? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_jacob,_also_known_as_israel.htm">Who is Jacob, also known as Israel?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_are_the_sons_of_jacob.htm">Who are the Sons of Jacob?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_jeremiah_31_15_forced_in_matthew.htm">Does Jeremiah 31:15 (“Rachel weeping for her children”) align historically with Matthew’s account, or is it a forced connection? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/35.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">But a little way.</span>--Heb., <span class= "ital">and there was still a "chibrath"</span> <span class= "ital">of land to come to Ephrath. </span>This word occurs four times in the Old Testament: here, in <a href="/genesis/48-7.htm" title="And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.">Genesis 48:7</a>, in <a href="/2_kings/5-19.htm" title="And he said to him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.">2Kings 5:19</a>, and in <a href="/amos/9-9.htm" title="For, see, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall on the earth.">Amos 9:9</a>, where it is used in the sense of a <span class= "ital">sieve. </span>Many of the Rabbins, therefore, translate "in the spring-time," because the earth is then riddled by the plough like a sieve; and the Targum and Vulgate adopt this rendering. The real meaning of the word is lost, but probably it was a measure of distance; and the Jewish interpreters generally think that it meant a mile, because Rachel's traditional tomb was about that distance from Bethlehem.<p><span class= "bld">Ephrath (the fruitful)</span> <span class= "bld">and Beth-lehem</span> (the house of bread) have virtually the same meaning, but the latter name would be given to the town only when its pastures had given place to arable lands, where corn was sown for bread.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/35.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And they journeyed</span> - not in opposition to the Divine commandment (ver. 1), which did not enjoin a permanent settlement at Bethel, but in accordance probably with his own desire, if not also Heaven's counsel, to proceed to Mamre to visit Isaac - <span class="cmt_word">from Bethel</span> (southwards in the direction of Hebron); <span class="cmt_word">and there was but a little way</span> (literally, <span class="accented">there was yet a space of land</span>; probably a few furlongs (Murphy), about four English miles (Gerlach). The Vulgate translates, "in the spring-time," and the LXX. render, <span class="greek">ἐγένετο δὲ ἡνίκα ἤγγισεν εἰς χαβραθὰ</span>, both of which are misunderstandings of the original - <span class="cmt_word">to come to Ephrath</span>: - Fruitful; the ancient name of Bethlehem (<span class="accented">vide infra</span> ver. 19) - <span class="cmt_word">and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labor</span> - literally, <span class="accented">she had hard labor in her parturition</span>, which was perhaps all the more severe that sixteen or seventeen years had elapsed since her first son, Joseph, was born. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/35-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Later, they set out</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּסְעוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yis·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5265.htm">Strong's 5265: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pull up, the tent-pins, start on a, journey</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="heb">מִבֵּ֣ית</span> <span class="translit">(mib·bêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">Bethel,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1008.htm">Strong's 1008: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bethel -- 'house of God', a city in Ephraim, also a place in southern Judah</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and while they were</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיְהִי־</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">still</span><br /><span class="heb">ע֥וֹד</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·wḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5750.htm">Strong's 5750: </a> </span><span class="str2">Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more</span><br /><br /><span class="word">some distance</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּבְרַת־</span> <span class="translit">(kiḇ·raṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3530.htm">Strong's 3530: </a> </span><span class="str2">Length, a measure</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from Ephrath,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶפְרָ֑תָה</span> <span class="translit">(’ep̄·rā·ṯāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_672.htm">Strong's 672: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ephrath -- an Israelite woman, also the name of several places in Palestine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Rachel</span><br /><span class="heb">רָחֵ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(rā·ḥêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7354.htm">Strong's 7354: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rachel -- a wife of Jacob</span><br /><br /><span class="word">began to give birth,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֵּ֥לֶד</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tê·leḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and her labor</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּלִדְתָּֽהּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·liḏ·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3205.htm">Strong's 3205: </a> </span><span class="str2">To bear young, to beget, medically, to act as midwife, to show lineage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was difficult.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתְּקַ֥שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tə·qaš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7185.htm">Strong's 7185: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be hard, severe or fierce</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/35-16.htm">Genesis 35:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/35-16.htm">Genesis 35:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/35-16.htm">Genesis 35:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/35-16.htm">Genesis 35:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/35-16.htm">Genesis 35:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/35-16.htm">Genesis 35:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/35-16.htm">Genesis 35:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/35-16.htm">Genesis 35:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/35-16.htm">Genesis 35:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/35-16.htm">Genesis 35:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/35-16.htm">OT Law: Genesis 35:16 They traveled from Bethel (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/35-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 35:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 35:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/35-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 35:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 35:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>