Return to Bethel, birth and bereavement

“And God said unto Jacob, Arise, go up to Beth-el, and dwell there: and make there an altar unto God, that appeared…” Naming Arise keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and…” Naming Jacob and Put keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And let us arise, and go up to Beth-el; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their…” Naming Jacob and Shechem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue…” Naming Jacob keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“So Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, that is, Beth-el, he and all the people that were with him.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And he built there an altar, and called the place El-beth-el: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“But Deborah Rebekah’s nurse died, and she was buried beneath Beth-el under an oak: and the name of it was called…” Naming Allon and Beth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padan-aram, and blessed him.” Naming Jacob keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.” Naming Abraham and Isaac keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink…” Naming Jacob keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Beth-el.” Naming Beth keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they journeyed from Beth-el; and there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had…” Naming Beth and Ephrath keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Ben-oni: but his father…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Beth-lehem.” Naming Beth and Ephrath keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jacob set a pillar upon her grave: that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave unto this day.” Naming Jacob and Rachel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar.” Naming Edar and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine: and…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“The sons of Leah; Reuben, Jacob’s firstborn, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun:” Naming Issachar and Jacob keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin:” Naming Benjamin and Joseph keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel’s handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali:” Naming Bilhah and Dan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the sons of Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid; Gad, and Asher: these are the sons of Jacob, which were born to him in…” Naming Asher and Gad keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Jacob came unto Isaac his father unto Mamre, unto the city of Arbah, which is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac…” Naming Isaac and Abraham keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years.” The number hundred makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau…” Naming Esau and Isaac keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.