Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 4. And-ear-rings which were in their ears] Whether these rings were in the ears of the gods, or in those of Jacob's family, we may rest assured that they were not mere ornaments, but served for superstitious purposes. Ear-rings were certainly worn as amulets and charms, first consecrated to some god, or formed under some constellation, on which magical characters and images were drawn. A very ancient and beautiful one of this kind brought from Egypt, cut out of a solid piece of cornelian, now lies before me. It was evidently intended for the ear, as the opening is too small for any human finger; and it is engraved all over with strange characters and images, which prove that it was intended for a talisman or amulet. It seems to be such a one as St. Augustine describes, Epist. 73, which was suspended from the tip of the ears both of men and women, not for the purpose of ornament, but through an execrable superstition, for the service of demons. ""Execranda superstitio ligaturarum, in quibus etiam inaures virorum in summis ex una parte auriculis suspensae deputantur, non ad placendum hominibus, sed ad serviendum daemonibus."" See on ""chap. xxiv. 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 ויתנו5414 אל413 יעקב3290 את853 כל3605 אלהי430 הנכר5236 אשׁר834 בידם3027 ואת853 הנזמים5141 אשׁר834 באזניהם241 ויטמן2934 אתם853 יעקב3290 תחת8478 האלה424 אשׁר834 עם5973 שׁכם׃7927
