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:

GENESIS 35:2KJV
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Genesis 35:2 (KJV)

What does Genesis 35:2 mean?

Genesis 35:2 describes Jacob instructing everyone in his household and all who were with him to get rid of any foreign gods they possessed, to purify themselves, and to change their clothes. Jacob is calling for a complete break from any lingering foreign religious practices as he prepares his family to approach God.

In this verse, Jacob is speaking to his family and all those traveling with him as they prepare to go to Bethel, a place with deep spiritual significance for Jacob. The command to "put away the strange gods" (foreign idols) and to "be clean" and "change your garments" signals a fresh start and a renewed commitment to worshiping the God of Israel alone. This moment comes after a period of turmoil, and Jacob wants his household to be spiritually ready for what lies ahead.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 35:2

  • The word for "strange" is נֵכָר (nekar), meaning "foreign" or "alien." This emphasizes that the gods Jacob refers to are not just different, but truly outside the worship of Israel’s God.
  • The word for "gods" is אֱלֹהִים (elohim), which can mean gods in general, not just the God of Israel. Here, it clearly refers to idols or deities from other cultures.
  • The word for "be clean" is טָהֵר (taher), which often means to purify oneself, not just physically but also spiritually. This suggests more than washing—it’s about being ritually and morally prepared.
  • The word for "change" is חָלַף (chalaf), meaning to change or replace, and "garments" is שִׂמְלָה (simlah), meaning clothing. Changing garments was a symbolic act of leaving behind the old way of life and starting anew.

Why Genesis 35:2 matters

  • This verse clears up that even within Jacob’s household, there were still foreign idols present, showing that total devotion to the God of Israel was not yet fully established.
  • The emphasis on both inner (being clean) and outer (changing garments) preparation highlights that approaching God involves both heart and actions.
  • Genesis 35:2 connects to the wider story by showing a turning point for Jacob’s family, marking a renewed dedication before a significant encounter with God at Bethel.