Genesis 35:20 (KJV)

What does Genesis 35:20 mean?

Genesis 35:20 describes how Jacob set up a stone pillar to mark the grave of Rachel, his wife, and notes that this marker was still known as Rachel’s grave at the time the text was written. The verse highlights the act of memorializing Rachel’s burial place in a lasting and visible way.

Jacob is the one acting in this verse, mourning the loss of Rachel after she died giving birth to Benjamin. The setting is near Bethlehem, and the pillar served as a physical memorial for Rachel, showing the importance of her memory to Jacob and to later generations who would recognize the site.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 35:20

• The word for "pillar" (מַצֵּבָה, matzevah) refers to a standing stone or monument, often used in ancient times to mark significant places or events. Here, it emphasizes the act of remembrance and the physical marking of Rachel’s grave.
• The word for "grave" (קֶבֶר, qever) simply means a burial place or tomb. Its repetition in the verse underlines the focus on the specific location and the significance of Rachel’s resting place.
• The phrase "unto this day" uses the Hebrew word יוֹם (yom), meaning "day," to indicate that the site remained identifiable and important for generations after the event.

Why Genesis 35:20 matters

• This verse clarifies that Rachel’s burial site was not forgotten but was marked and remembered, which helps explain later references to her tomb in Jewish tradition and history.
• The mention that the pillar stood "unto this day" connects the story of the patriarchs to the later readers, grounding the narrative in real locations that people could visit.
• The act of setting up a pillar shows the personal grief and respect Jacob had for Rachel, adding emotional depth to the story and highlighting the importance of family memorials in ancient Israel.