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.
GENESIS 35:4KJVWhat does Genesis 35:4 mean?
Genesis 35:4 describes how Jacob’s household gave him all their foreign gods and earrings, and Jacob buried these items under an oak tree near Shechem. This act showed a turning away from other gods and a commitment to follow the God of Jacob alone.
In this scene, Jacob is leading his family and servants to purify themselves before returning to Bethel, as God instructed. The “strange gods” refer to idols or objects of worship from other cultures, and the earrings may have had religious or superstitious significance. Burying these items under the oak tree was a public act of leaving behind old loyalties and starting fresh in their relationship with God.
The Hebrew behind Genesis 35:4
- The word “strange” (נֵכָר, nekar) means “foreign” or “alien,” emphasizing that these gods were not part of Jacob’s tradition but came from outside influences.
- “Gods” (אֱלֹהִים, elohim) here refers to idols or images, not to the God of Israel, highlighting the difference between the true God and these false ones.
- “Hid” (טָמַן, taman) means to bury or conceal, showing that Jacob did not just discard the idols but made sure they were completely removed from daily life.
- “Oak” (אֵלָה, elah) refers to a specific large tree, often a landmark in ancient times, making the act memorable and public for the whole group.
Why Genesis 35:4 matters
- Genesis 35:4 clarifies that Jacob’s family was not fully devoted to the God of Israel until this moment, as they still possessed foreign idols.
- The verse connects to the larger story of Jacob’s return to Bethel, showing a deliberate break from old ways and a new start in obedience to God.
- This act underlines the seriousness of worship in ancient Israel, where even personal items like earrings could be linked to idol worship and needed to be surrendered.