Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. Arise, go up to Beth-el] The transaction that had lately taken place rendered it unsafe for Jacob to dwell any longer at the city of Shechem; and it seems that while he was reflecting on the horrible act of Simeon and Levi, and not knowing what to do, God graciously appeared to him, and commanded him to go up to Beth-el, build an altar there, and thus perform the vow he had made, chap. xxviii. 20, 22.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Beth-el was forgotten. But as many as God loves, he will remind of neglected duties, one way or other, by conscience or by providences When we have vowed a vow to God, it is best not to defer the payment of it; yet better late than never. Jacob commanded his household to prepare, not only for the journey and removal, but for religiou services. Masters of families should use their authority to keep u religion in their families, Jos 24:15. They must put away strange gods In families where there is a face of religion, and an altar to God, ye many times there is much amiss, and more strange gods than one woul suppose. They must be clean, and change their garments. These were but outward ceremonies, signifying the purifying and change of the heart What are clean clothes, and new clothes, without a clean heart, and new heart? If Jacob had called for these idols sooner, they had parte with them sooner. Sometimes attempts for reformation succeed bette than we could have thought. Jacob buried their images. We must be wholly separated from our sins, as we are from those that are dead an buried out of sight. He removed from Shechem to Beth-el. Though the Canaanites were very angry against the sons of Jacob for their barbarous usage of the Shechemites, yet they were so kept back by Divine power, that they could not take the opportunity now offered to avenge them. The way of duty is the way of safety. When we are abou God's work, we are under special protection; God is with us, while we are with him; and if He be for us, who can be against us? God govern the world more by secret terrors on men's minds than we are aware of.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 אלהים430 אל413 יעקב3290 קום6965 עלה5927 בית אל1008 ושׁב3427 שׁם8033 ועשׂה6213 שׁם8033 מזבח4196 לאל410 הנראה7200 אליך413 בברחך1272 מפני6440 עשׂו6215 אחיך׃251
