Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - Genesis 35:16 - 35:20
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The Death of Rachel
v. 16. And they journeyed from Bethel, since Jacob's vow was now fulfilled and his thanksgiving completed; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath, they were still a certain distance from the town afterward known as Bethlehem, which they had probably tried to reach in time; and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labor, the anguish and the throes of a hard birth were upon her. Her wish at the time of Joseph's birth was fulfilled, but, after a quiescent period of seventeen years, she suffered even unto death.
v. 17. And it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. That was intended as a word of comfort to Rachel, in the midst of her intense suffering, for it told her that her wish had been granted by the Lord.
v. 18. And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing (for she died), that she called his name Benoni (son of my pain); but his father called him Benjamin (son of the right hand, son of fortune or prosperity). The text plainly indicates a life of the soul after the death of the body. In spite of his grief over the death of his beloved wife, Jacob's joy over this son of his old age could not be suppressed.
v. 19. And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.
v. 20. And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave; that is the pillar of Rachel's grave unto this day. So the monument was still standing in the days when Moses wrote. It was a bitter cup of grief which Jacob had to quaff at the death of his wife, for even believers feel the sting of death.