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Genesis 33:20
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Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And he erected there an altar - It appears that Jacob had a very correct notion of the providence and mercy of God; hence he says, Gen 33:5 : The children which God hath Graciously given thy servant; and in Gen 33:11 he attributes all his substance to the bounty of his Maker: Take, I pray thee, my blessing - because God hath dealt Graciously with me, and because I have enough. Hence he viewed God as the God of all grace, and to him he erects an altar, dedicating it to God, the God of Israel, referring particularly to the change of his own name, and the mercies which he then received; and hence perhaps it would be best to translate the words, The strong God (is) the God of Israel; as by the power of his grace and goodness he had rescued, defended, blessed, and supported him from his youth up until now. The erecting altars with particular names appears in other places; so, Exo 17:15, Moses calls his altar Jehovah-nissi, "the Lord is my banner." 1. When a man's way's please God, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. When Jacob had got reconciled to God, God reconciled his brother to him. The hearts of all men are in the hands of God, and he turns them howsoever he will. 2. Since the time in which Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the covenant. We see in him much dependence on God, accompanied with a spirit of deep humility and gratitude. God's grace alone can change the heart of man, and it is by that grace only that we get a sense of our obligations; this lays us in the dust, and the more we receive the lower we shall lie. 3. "The first thing," says good Bishop Wilson, "that pious men do, is to provide for the honor and worship of God." Jacob buys a piece of ground, and erects an altar on it in the land of a heathen, that he might acknowledge God among his enemies, and turn them to the true faith; and there is every reason to believe that this expedient would have been successful, had it not been for the base conduct of his sons. How true is the saying, One sinner spoileth much good! Reader, beware, lest thy conduct should become a stumbling block to any.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
and he erected . . . an altar--A beautiful proof of his personal piety, a most suitable conclusion to his journey, and a lasting memorial of a distinguished favor in the name "God, the God of Israel." Wherever we pitch a tent, God shall have an altar. Next: Genesis Chapter 34
Tyndale Open Study Notes
33:20 El-Elohe-Israel: The name of the altar (“God, the God of Israel”) commemorated Jacob’s relationship with God. Jacob publicly proclaimed that God was his God, and that God had led him back to the land he would inherit.
Genesis 33:20
Jacob Settles in Shechem
19And the plot of ground where he pitched his tent, he purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver. 20There he set up an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.
- Scripture
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- Commentary
(Genesis) Genesis 33:18-20
By J. Vernon McGee4.6K05:44GenesisGEN 24:3GEN 25:19GEN 25:28GEN 27:46GEN 28:2GEN 33:20GEN 35:1In this sermon, the speaker discusses the sad and sordid chapter in the life of Jacob, who is now known as Israel. Jacob's life reflects a growth and development in his relationship with God. The speaker emphasizes that as Christians, our growth is slow and we may stumble along the way, but it is important to keep getting up and seeking a close walk with the Lord. The sermon also highlights the importance of heredity and environment in the lives of believers, as seen in Jacob's family and the troubles they faced.
(Through the Bible) Exodus 1-5
By Chuck Smith1.8K1:23:21ExpositionalGEN 50:26EXO 2:15EXO 4:1EXO 4:10In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God is not just a passive observer of our struggles and suffering. He takes action to deliver His people from their hardships. The preacher also highlights the importance of not getting too attached to material possessions, as they can easily be taken away. Instead, our focus should be on the things of the Spirit and God's eternal kingdom. The sermon references the story of Moses and the Israelites in Egypt, where they faced oppression and hardship, but ultimately God delivered them.
(Genesis) Genesis 46-48
By Joe Focht71551:15GenesisGEN 33:20GEN 41:50GEN 46:11GEN 46:27In this sermon, the preacher begins by highlighting the story of Jacob and his sons in the Bible. He emphasizes that God is still the same today as He was in ancient times, and that He is able to work in impossible situations. The preacher then shares a personal story about a man who was rescued during the Holocaust and became a rabbi. The sermon also touches on the story of Joseph and his sons, where Joseph provides seed for his family to sow in the land after the famine. The preacher emphasizes the importance of sowing and reaping, and how God blesses those who are faithful in their stewardship.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
And he erected there an altar - It appears that Jacob had a very correct notion of the providence and mercy of God; hence he says, Gen 33:5 : The children which God hath Graciously given thy servant; and in Gen 33:11 he attributes all his substance to the bounty of his Maker: Take, I pray thee, my blessing - because God hath dealt Graciously with me, and because I have enough. Hence he viewed God as the God of all grace, and to him he erects an altar, dedicating it to God, the God of Israel, referring particularly to the change of his own name, and the mercies which he then received; and hence perhaps it would be best to translate the words, The strong God (is) the God of Israel; as by the power of his grace and goodness he had rescued, defended, blessed, and supported him from his youth up until now. The erecting altars with particular names appears in other places; so, Exo 17:15, Moses calls his altar Jehovah-nissi, "the Lord is my banner." 1. When a man's way's please God, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. When Jacob had got reconciled to God, God reconciled his brother to him. The hearts of all men are in the hands of God, and he turns them howsoever he will. 2. Since the time in which Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the covenant. We see in him much dependence on God, accompanied with a spirit of deep humility and gratitude. God's grace alone can change the heart of man, and it is by that grace only that we get a sense of our obligations; this lays us in the dust, and the more we receive the lower we shall lie. 3. "The first thing," says good Bishop Wilson, "that pious men do, is to provide for the honor and worship of God." Jacob buys a piece of ground, and erects an altar on it in the land of a heathen, that he might acknowledge God among his enemies, and turn them to the true faith; and there is every reason to believe that this expedient would have been successful, had it not been for the base conduct of his sons. How true is the saying, One sinner spoileth much good! Reader, beware, lest thy conduct should become a stumbling block to any.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
and he erected . . . an altar--A beautiful proof of his personal piety, a most suitable conclusion to his journey, and a lasting memorial of a distinguished favor in the name "God, the God of Israel." Wherever we pitch a tent, God shall have an altar. Next: Genesis Chapter 34
Tyndale Open Study Notes
33:20 El-Elohe-Israel: The name of the altar (“God, the God of Israel”) commemorated Jacob’s relationship with God. Jacob publicly proclaimed that God was his God, and that God had led him back to the land he would inherit.