And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour.

GENESIS 35:16KJV
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Genesis 35:16 (KJV)

What does Genesis 35:16 mean?

Genesis 35:16 describes Jacob and his family leaving Bethel and traveling toward Ephrath, when Rachel goes into difficult labor as they near their destination. The verse sets the scene for a significant and challenging moment during their journey.

Jacob is leading his household away from Bethel, a place where he had just worshiped God and received promises. The family is not far from Ephrath (later known as Bethlehem) when Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife, begins to experience hard labor. This moment introduces the events that will soon lead to the birth of Benjamin and Rachel’s death, marking a turning point in Jacob’s family story.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 35:16

  • נָסַע (nasa‘, "journeyed"): This word often carries the sense of pulling up stakes or breaking camp, emphasizing that Jacob’s family was on the move, not just traveling but relocating.
  • אֶפְרָתָה (Ephrathah, "Ephrath"): The name refers to the area later known as Bethlehem. Mentioning Ephrath here links the story to a place of future significance in Israel’s history.
  • קָשֶׁה (qashah, "hard"): This word means "severe" or "difficult," highlighting the seriousness and danger of Rachel’s labor, not just discomfort but a life-threatening struggle.

Why Genesis 35:16 matters

  • Genesis 35:16 prepares the reader for the emotional and pivotal events that follow, especially Rachel’s death and the birth of Benjamin, which deeply affect Jacob’s family.
  • The mention of Ephrath connects the story to Bethlehem, a location that will become important in later biblical narratives, including the story of David and the birth of Jesus.
  • The verse underscores the hardships faced by the patriarchs and their families, reminding readers that even those chosen by God experienced real human suffering and loss.

Where else these words appear

“little” Hebrew H3530 · used in 3 verses

  • Genesis 48:7 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 unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.
  • 2 Kings 5:19 And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.

“Ephrath” Hebrew H672 · used in 9 verses

  • Genesis 35:19 And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.
  • Ruth 4:11 And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah, which two did build the house of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem:
  • 1 Chronicles 4:4 And Penuel the father of Gedor, and Ezer the father of Hushah. These are the sons of Hur, the firstborn of Ephratah, the father of Bethlehem.

“hard” Hebrew H7185 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 35:17 And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.
  • 2 Samuel 19:43 And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel.
  • Nehemiah 9:29 And testifiedst against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy law: yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments,(which if a man do, he shall live in them;) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.

“but” Hebrew H5750 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 4:25 And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.
  • Genesis 48:7 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 unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Bethlehem.
  • Judges 2:14 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.