CINXE.COM

<!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 35:4 So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/35-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/01_Gen_35_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 35:4 - Jacob Returns to Bethel" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem." /><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/35-4.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/35-4.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 4</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="/ad4.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/35-3.htm" title="Genesis 35:3">◄</a> Genesis 35:4 <a href="/genesis/35-5.htm" title="Genesis 35:5">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/genesis/35.htm">New International Version</a> So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods they had and the rings in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak at Shechem. <a href="/nlt/genesis/35.htm">New Living Translation</a> So they gave Jacob all their pagan idols and earrings, and he buried them under the great tree near Shechem. <a href="/esv/genesis/35.htm">English Standard Version</a> So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods that they had, and the rings that were in their ears. Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree that was near Shechem. <a href="/bsb/genesis/35.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem. <a href="/kjv/genesis/35.htm">King James Bible</a> And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem. <a href="/nkjv/genesis/35.htm">New King James Version</a> So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem. <a href="/nasb_/genesis/35.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which they had and the rings which were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem. <a href="/nasb/genesis/35.htm">NASB 1995</a> So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which they had and the rings which were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem. <a href="/nasb77/genesis/35.htm">NASB 1977 </a> So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which they had, and the rings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem. <a href="/lsb/genesis/35.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which they had and the rings which were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem. <a href="/amp/genesis/35.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So they gave Jacob all the [idols and images of the] foreign gods they had and the rings which were in their ears [worn as charms against evil], and Jacob buried them under the oak tree near Shechem. <a href="/csb/genesis/35.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and their earrings, and Jacob hid them under the oak near Shechem. <a href="/hcsb/genesis/35.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and their earrings, and Jacob hid them under the oak near Shechem. <a href="/asv/genesis/35.htm">American Standard Version</a> And they gave unto Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hand, and the rings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem. <a href="/cev/genesis/35.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> So everyone gave Jacob their idols and their earrings, and he buried them under the oak tree near Shechem. <a href="/erv/genesis/35.htm">English Revised Version</a> And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and the rings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem. <a href="/gwt/genesis/35.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods that they had in their possession as well as the earrings that they had on. Jacob buried these things under the oak tree near Shechem. <a href="/gnt/genesis/35.htm">Good News Translation</a> So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods that they had and also the earrings that they were wearing. He buried them beneath the oak tree near Shechem. <a href="/isv/genesis/35.htm">International Standard Version</a> So they handed over to Jacob all their foreign gods on which they had been depending, along with the rings that they were wearing on their ears. Jacob buried them under the oak that grew near Shechem. <a href="/msb/genesis/35.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem. <a href="/net/genesis/35.htm">NET Bible</a> So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods that were in their possession and the rings that were in their ears. Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem <a href="/nheb/genesis/35.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their possession, and the rings that were in their ears, and Jacob buried them under the oak that was near Shechem. <a href="/wbt/genesis/35.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And they gave to Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and the ear-rings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem. <a href="/web/genesis/35.htm">World English Bible</a> They gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the rings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/genesis/35.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And they give to Jacob all the gods of the stranger that [are] in their hand, and the rings that [are] in their ears, and Jacob hides them under the oak which [is] by Shechem; <a href="/ylt/genesis/35.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And they give unto Jacob all the gods of the stranger that are in their hand, and the rings that are in their ears, and Jacob hideth them under the oak which is by Shechem; <a href="/slt/genesis/35.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And they will give to Jacob all the strange gods which are in their hand and the earrings which are in their ears, and Jacob will hide them under the turpentine tree which is in Shechem.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/genesis/35.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> So they gave him all the strange gods they had, and the earrings which were in their ears: and he buried them under the turpentine tree, that is behind the city of Sichem. <a href="/cpdv/genesis/35.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Therefore, they gave him all the foreign gods which they had, and the earrings which were in their ears. And then he buried them under the terebinth tree, which is beyond the city of Shechem. <a href="/nabre/genesis/35.htm">New American Bible</a> They gave Jacob all the foreign gods in their possession and also the rings they had in their ears and Jacob buried them under the oak that is near Shechem. <a href="/nrsvce/genesis/35.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods that they had, and the rings that were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak that was near Shechem.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/genesis/35.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> So they gave to Jacob all the strange gods that were in their possession, and the earrings that were in their ears; and Jacob buried them under the oak which was by Shechem. <a href="/hpbt/genesis/35.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And they gave to Yaquuv all their foreign gods that were in their hands and the earrings in their ears, and Yaquuv buried them under the Oak that was with Shekeem.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/genesis/35.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And they gave unto Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hand, and the rings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth which was by Shechem. <a href="/sep/genesis/35.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And they gave to Jacob the strange gods, which were in their hands, and the ear-rings which were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the turpentine tree which is in Secima, and destroyed them to this day. <a href="/parallel/genesis/35-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=8782" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/genesis/35.htm">Jacob Returns to Bethel</a> …3Then 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.” 4<a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: way·yit·tə·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">So they gave</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: ya·‘ă·qōḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">Jacob</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">their</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yā·ḏām (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 3mp) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)"></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5236.htm" title="5236: han·nê·ḵār (Art:: N-ms) -- That which is foreign, foreignness. From nakar; foreign, or a foreigner, or heathendom.">foreign</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê (N-mpc) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">gods</a> <a href="/hebrew/5141.htm" title="5141: han·nə·zā·mîm (Art:: N-mp) -- A ring (worn as an ornament). From an unused root of uncertain meaning; a nose-ring.">and all their earrings,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/241.htm" title="241: bə·’ā·zə·nê·hem (Prep-b:: N-fdc:: 3mp) -- An ear. From 'azan; broadness. I.e. the ear."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3290.htm" title="3290: ya·‘ă·qōḇ (N-proper-ms) -- A son of Isaac, also his desc. From aqab; heel-catcher; Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch.">and Jacob</a> <a href="/hebrew/2934.htm" title="2934: way·yiṭ·mōn (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To hide, conceal. A primitive root; to hide.">buried</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯām (DirObjM:: 3mp) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ta·ḥaṯ (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">under</a> <a href="/hebrew/424.htm" title="424: hā·’ê·lāh (Art:: N-fs) -- A terebinth. Feminine of 'ayil; an oak or other strong tree.">the oak</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im- (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">near</a> <a href="/hebrew/7927.htm" title="7927: šə·ḵem (N-proper-fs) -- Ridge, a district in N. Pal., also a son of Hamor. The same as shkem; ridge; Shekem, a place in Palestine.">Shechem.</a> 5As they set out, a terror from God fell over the surrounding cities, so that they did not pursue Jacob’s sons.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/32-2.htm">Exodus 32:2-4</a> So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold earrings that are on your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” / Then all the people took off their gold earrings and brought them to Aaron. / He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. And they said, “These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” <a href="/joshua/24-23.htm">Joshua 24:23</a> “Now, therefore,” he said, “get rid of the foreign gods among you and incline your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.” <a href="/judges/10-16.htm">Judges 10:16</a> So they put away the foreign gods from among them and served the LORD, and He could no longer bear the misery of Israel. <a href="/1_samuel/7-3.htm">1 Samuel 7:3-4</a> Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.” / So the Israelites put away the Baals and Ashtoreths and served only the LORD. <a href="/2_kings/23-4.htm">2 Kings 23:4-6</a> Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. / Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. / He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people. <a href="/isaiah/2-20.htm">Isaiah 2:20</a> In that day men will cast away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold—the idols they made to worship. <a href="/isaiah/30-22.htm">Isaiah 30:22</a> So you will desecrate your silver-plated idols and your gold-plated images. You will throw them away like menstrual cloths, saying to them, “Be gone!” <a href="/ezekiel/20-7.htm">Ezekiel 20:7-8</a> And I said to them: ‘Each of you must throw away the abominations before his eyes, and you must not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’ / But they rebelled against Me and refused to listen. None of them cast away the abominations before their eyes, and they did not forsake the idols of Egypt. So I resolved to pour out My wrath upon them and vent My anger against them in the land of Egypt. <a href="/hosea/14-3.htm">Hosea 14:3</a> Assyria will not save us, nor will we ride on horses. We will never again say, ‘Our gods!’ to the work of our own hands. For in You the fatherless find compassion.” <a href="/zephaniah/1-4.htm">Zephaniah 1:4-5</a> “I will stretch out My hand against Judah and against all who dwell in Jerusalem. I will cut off from this place every remnant of Baal, the names of the idolatrous and pagan priests— / those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom, <a href="/acts/19-18.htm">Acts 19:18-19</a> Many who had believed now came forward, confessing and disclosing their deeds. / And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-14.htm">1 Corinthians 10:14</a> Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. <a href="/2_corinthians/6-16.htm">2 Corinthians 6:16-17</a> What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” / “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” <a href="/galatians/4-8.htm">Galatians 4:8-9</a> Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. / But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again? <a href="/ephesians/5-11.htm">Ephesians 5:11</a> Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And they gave to Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.ear-rings.<a href="/exodus/32-2.htm">Exodus 32:2-4</a> And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me… <a href="/judges/8-24.htm">Judges 8:24-27</a> And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they were Ishmaelites.) … <a href="/hosea/2-13.htm">Hosea 2:13</a> And I will visit upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith the LORD.hid them.<a href="/exodus/32-20.htm">Exodus 32:20</a> And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.<a href="/deuteronomy/7-5.htm">Deuteronomy 7:5,25</a> But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire… <a href="/isaiah/2-20.htm">Isaiah 2:20</a> In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;the oak.<a href="/joshua/24-25.htm">Joshua 24:25,26</a> So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and set them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem… <a href="/judges/9-6.htm">Judges 9:6</a> And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/25-10.htm">Buried</a> <a href="/hosea/2-13.htm">Earrings</a> <a href="/hosea/2-13.htm">Ear-Rings</a> <a href="/genesis/31-1.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/genesis/35-2.htm">Foreign</a> <a href="/genesis/35-2.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/genesis/33-19.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/32-16.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/genesis/4-14.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/genesis/28-17.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/genesis/35-2.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/12-6.htm">Oak</a> <a href="/james/2-2.htm">Rings</a> <a href="/genesis/34-26.htm">Shechem</a> <a href="/genesis/35-2.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/genesis/35-2.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/genesis/12-6.htm">Terebinth</a> <a href="/genesis/30-37.htm">Tree</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/35-8.htm">Buried</a> <a href="/exodus/32-2.htm">Earrings</a> <a href="/exodus/32-2.htm">Ear-Rings</a> <a href="/genesis/41-5.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/exodus/2-22.htm">Foreign</a> <a href="/exodus/12-12.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/genesis/37-21.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/genesis/37-21.htm">Hands</a> <a href="/exodus/2-2.htm">Hid</a> <a href="/genesis/35-8.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/genesis/35-5.htm">Jacob</a> <a href="/genesis/35-8.htm">Oak</a> <a href="/exodus/10-25.htm">Rings</a> <a href="/genesis/37-12.htm">Shechem</a> <a href="/genesis/42-7.htm">Strange</a> <a href="/genesis/37-1.htm">Stranger</a> <a href="/judges/6-11.htm">Terebinth</a> <a href="/genesis/35-8.htm">Tree</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 35</div>1. <a href="/genesis/35-1.htm">God commands Jacob to go to Bethel.</a> 2. <a href="/genesis/35-2.htm">He purges his house of idols.</a> 6. <a href="/genesis/35-6.htm">He builds an altar at Bethel.</a> 8. <a href="/genesis/35-8.htm">Deborah dies at Allon Bacuth.</a> 9. <a href="/genesis/35-9.htm">God blesses Jacob at Bethel.</a> 10. <a href="/genesis/35-10.htm">Jacob Named Israel.</a> 16. <a href="/genesis/35-16.htm">Rachel travails of Benjamin, and dies in the way to Edar.</a> 22. <a href="/genesis/35-22.htm">Reuben lies with Bilhah.</a> 23. <a href="/genesis/35-23.htm">The sons of Jacob.</a> 27. <a href="/genesis/35-27.htm">Jacob comes to Isaac at Hebron.</a> 28. <a href="/genesis/35-28.htm">The age, death, and burial of Isaac.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods In the ancient Near East, polytheism was prevalent, and the possession of household gods, or "teraphim," was common. These idols were often seen as protective deities or symbols of prosperity. Jacob's family, having lived in Paddan-Aram, may have acquired these idols from their time with Laban, who himself was an idolater. The act of giving up these gods signifies a turning point for Jacob's household, a renunciation of idolatry, and a commitment to worship the one true God. This mirrors the call to monotheism that is central to the Abrahamic covenant.and all their earrings Earrings in ancient cultures were not merely decorative; they often held religious or superstitious significance. They could be amulets or charms associated with pagan worship. By relinquishing these items, Jacob's family was purging themselves of any remaining ties to pagan practices. This act of purification is reminiscent of later Israelite practices where physical symbols of idolatry were destroyed to maintain spiritual purity (e.g., <a href="/exodus/32-2.htm">Exodus 32:2-4</a>, where Aaron uses earrings to make the golden calf).and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem The oak near Shechem is significant both geographically and spiritually. Shechem was a central location in Canaan and held historical importance for the patriarchs. The act of burying the idols and earrings under the oak symbolizes a definitive break from past idolatry and a consecration of the family to God. Oaks were often sites of significant events or covenants in the Old Testament (e.g., <a href="/joshua/24-26.htm">Joshua 24:26</a>, where Joshua sets up a stone under an oak as a witness to Israel's covenant with God). This burial can be seen as a type of spiritual renewal, foreshadowing the New Testament call to put away the old self and embrace a new life in Christ (<a href="/ephesians/4-22.htm">Ephesians 4:22-24</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a> The patriarch who leads his family in a spiritual renewal by removing foreign gods and purifying themselves. 2. <a href="/topical/f/foreign_gods.htm">Foreign gods</a> Idols or deities that were not the God of Israel, which Jacob's family had acquired. 3. <a href="/topical/e/earrings.htm">Earrings</a> Likely associated with idolatry or pagan practices, these were also surrendered as part of the purification process. 4. <a href="/topical/o/oak_near_shechem.htm">Oak near Shechem</a> A significant location where Jacob buried the foreign gods and earrings, symbolizing a break from past idolatry. 5. <a href="/topical/s/shechem.htm">Shechem</a> A city in Canaan, significant in the history of Israel, where Jacob's family had settled temporarily.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_renewal_requires_action.htm">Spiritual Renewal Requires Action</a> Jacob's leadership in removing idols demonstrates that spiritual renewal often requires decisive action and tangible steps. <a href="/topical/s/symbolic_acts_of_repentance.htm">Symbolic Acts of Repentance</a> Burying the foreign gods under the oak symbolizes a complete break from past sins and a commitment to God. <a href="/topical/c/community_purification.htm">Community Purification</a> The collective act of giving up idols and earrings shows the importance of communal purity and accountability in faith. <a href="/topical/i/idolatry's_subtlety.htm">Idolatry's Subtlety</a> The presence of foreign gods among Jacob's family serves as a reminder of how easily idolatry can infiltrate our lives. <a href="/topical/l/legacy_of_faithfulness.htm">Legacy of Faithfulness</a> Jacob's actions set a precedent for future generations, emphasizing the importance of leaving a legacy of faithfulness to God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_35.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 35</a> <a href="/q/should_christians_wear_earrings.htm">Should Christians wear earrings?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_body_piercings.htm">What does the Bible say about body piercings?</a> <a href="/q/who_bought_shechem's_burial_site,_abraham_or_jacob.htm">In Acts 7:16, Stephen says Abraham bought a burial place in Shechem, yet Genesis 33:19 credits Jacob with that purchase. Which account is correct?</a> <a href="/q/how_did_jacob_and_esau_reconcile_quickly.htm">How could Jacob and Esau reconcile so suddenly in Genesis 33:4 after years of hostility, and is there historical evidence for Esau's 400 men?</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>(4) Earrings.--Earrings seem to have been worn not so much for ornament as for superstitious purposes, being regarded as talismans or amulets. Hence it was from their earrings that Aaron made the golden calf (<a href="/context/exodus/32-2.htm" title="And Aaron said to them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them to me.">Exodus 32:2-4</a>).The oak.--Not Abraham's oak-grove (<a href="/genesis/12-6.htm" title="And Abram passed through the land to the place of Sichem, to the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land.">Genesis 12:6</a>), referred to probably in <a href="/judges/9-6.htm" title="And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.">Judges 9:6</a>; <a href="/judges/9-37.htm" title="And Gaal spoke again, and said, See there come people down by the middle of the land, and another company come along by the plain of Meonenim.">Judges 9:37</a>--the Hebrew word in these three places being elon--but that under which Joshua set up his pillar of witness (<a href="/joshua/24-26.htm" title="And Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone, and set it up there under an oak, that was by the sanctuary of the LORD.">Joshua 24:26</a>), the tree being in both these places called allah, or elah, a terebinth. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/35.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - And they gave mate Jacob all the strange gods - Rosenmüller thinks these must have been many, since the historian would not otherwise have used the term כֹּל - which were in their hand (i.e. which they possessed), and all their earrings which were in their ears; - i.e. those employed for purposes of idolatrous worship, which were often covered with allegorical figures and mysterious sentences, and supposed to be endowed with a talismanic virtue (<a href="/judges/8-21.htm">Judges 8:21</a>; <a href="/isaiah/3-20.htm">Isaiah 3:20</a>; <a href="/hosea/2-13.htm">Hosea 2:13</a>) - and Jacob hid them - having probably first destroyed them, since they do not appear to have been ever after sought for or resumed by the parties who gave them up (Hughes) - under the oak which was by Shechem. Whether the oak, or terebinth, under which Abraham once pitched his tent (<a href="/genesis/12-6.htm">Genesis 12:6</a>), that beneath whose shade Joshua afterwards erected his memorial pillar (<a href="/joshua/24-26.htm">Joshua 24:26</a>), the oak of the sorcerers (<a href="/judges/9-37.htm">Judges 9:37</a>), and the oak of the pillar at Shechem (<a href="/judges/9-6.htm">Judges 9:6</a>) were all the tree under which Jacob buried the images and earrings cannot with certainty be determined, though the probability is that they were. <a href="/commentaries/genesis/35-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>So they gave וַיִּתְּנ֣וּ (way·yit·tə·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set Jacob יַעֲקֹ֗ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every their אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that foreign הַנֵּכָר֙ (han·nê·ḵār) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5236.htm">Strong's 5236: </a> That which is foreign, foreignness gods אֱלֹהֵ֤י (’ĕ·lō·hê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative and [all their] earrings, הַנְּזָמִ֖ים (han·nə·zā·mîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5141.htm">Strong's 5141: </a> A ring (worn as an ornament) and Jacob יַעֲקֹ֔ב (ya·‘ă·qōḇ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3290.htm">Strong's 3290: </a> Jacob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc buried וַיִּטְמֹ֤ן (way·yiṭ·mōn) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2934.htm">Strong's 2934: </a> To hide, conceal them under תַּ֥חַת (ta·ḥaṯ) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> The bottom, below, in lieu of the oak הָאֵלָ֖ה (hā·’ê·lāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_424.htm">Strong's 424: </a> An oak, other strong tree near עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> With, equally with Shechem. שְׁכֶֽם׃ (šə·ḵem) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7927.htm">Strong's 7927: </a> Shechem -- 'ridge', a district in Northern Palestine, also a son of Hamor <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/35-4.htm">Genesis 35:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/genesis/35-4.htm">Genesis 35:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/genesis/35-4.htm">Genesis 35:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/genesis/35-4.htm">Genesis 35:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/genesis/35-4.htm">Genesis 35:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/35-4.htm">Genesis 35:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/35-4.htm">Genesis 35:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/35-4.htm">Genesis 35:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/35-4.htm">Genesis 35:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/genesis/35-4.htm">Genesis 35:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/genesis/35-4.htm">OT Law: Genesis 35:4 They gave to Jacob all the foreign (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/35-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 35:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 35:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/35-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 35:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 35:5" /></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>