Genesis 35 in the early church

83 passages quote, allude to, or echo Genesis 35, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 16 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 27 · 28 · 29

Genesis 35:1

Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel, and settle there. Build an altar there to the God who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:1To Quirinus 2.6 · Cyprian of Carthagequotation, high confidenceca. 248–250 (book 3 perhaps later)
Gen 35:1Prophetic Extracts 1.7 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Gen 35:1–3Demonstration of the Gospel 5.12.1 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Gen 35:1Demonstration of the Gospel 5.12.2 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Gen 35:1Letter 13 · Ammonasallusion, medium confidenceca. 340-360
Gen 35:1On the Trinity 4.30 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, high confidenceca. 356–360
Gen 35:1On the Trinity 5.20 · Hilary of Poitiersquotation, high confidenceca. 356–360
Gen 35:1–7Apostolic Constitutions 7.37.2 · Anonymousallusion, low confidenceca. 380
Gen 35:1On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.32 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-390
Gen 35:1–27Genesis, lines 1075–1099 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.

Genesis 35:2

So Jacob told his household and all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods that are among you. Purify yourselves and change your garments.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:2–4Demonstration of the Gospel 1.2.7 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324

Genesis 35:3

Then let us arise and go to Bethel. I will build an altar there to God, who answered me in my day of distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:3Letter 13 · Ammonasallusion, medium confidenceca. 340-360

Genesis 35:4

So they gave Jacob all their foreign gods and all their earrings, and Jacob buried them under the oak near Shechem.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:4Arabic Pentateuch fragment XXVI (on Deut 27) · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceunknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Gen 35:4Fragment 18 · Julius Africanusallusion, high confidenceafter 221
Gen 35:4Homilies on Ezekiel 1.12 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s)
Gen 35:4Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 9.2.4 · Epiphanius of Salamisecho, low confidence374-377
Gen 35:4Against Helvidius 7 · Jeromequotation, high confidenceca. 383
Gen 35:4On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.32 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-390
Gen 35:4On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.33 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-390

Genesis 35:6

So Jacob and everyone with him arrived in Luz (that is, Bethel) in the land of Canaan.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:6Dialogue with Trypho 58.8 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 35:6Prophetic Extracts 1.7 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, medium confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Gen 35:6Preparation for the Gospel 9.21.10 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324

Genesis 35:7

There Jacob built an altar, and he called that place El-bethel, because it was there that God had revealed Himself to Jacob as he fled from his brother.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:7Dialogue with Trypho 58.8 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 35:7Dialogue with Trypho 60.5 · Justin Martyrallusion, high confidenceca. 155–160

Genesis 35:8

Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died and was buried under the oak below Bethel. So Jacob named it Allon-bacuth.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:8Dialogue with Trypho 58.8 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160

Genesis 35:9

After Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:9Dialogue with Trypho 58.8 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 35:9Against Celsus 6.4 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 248
Gen 35:9Prophetic Extracts 1.7 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidencebefore 325 (probably ca. 310–320)
Gen 35:9Part 12 · Eutherius of Tyanaallusion, medium confidenceca. 431-440

Genesis 35:10

And God said to him, “Though your name is Jacob, you will no longer be called Jacob. Instead, your name will be Israel.” So God named him Israel.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:10Dialogue with Trypho 58.8 · Justin Martyrquotation, high confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 35:10On Pascha 82 · text not on this site · Melito of Sardisecho, medium confidenceca. 160-180
Gen 35:10Preparation for the Gospel 9.21.10 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Gen 35:10Sermon 122.4 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 391-430

Genesis 35:11

And God told him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:11Demonstration of the Gospel 2.1.10 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Gen 35:11Demonstration of the Gospel 8.1.5 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Gen 35:11Demonstration of the Gospel 8.1.7 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 314–324
Gen 35:11Demonstration of the Gospel 8.1.8 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324

Genesis 35:16

Later, they set out from Bethel, and while they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth, and her labor was difficult.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:16–19Letter 65.1 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 35:16–18Letter 66.3 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 35:16–20Against Jovinianus 1.19 · Jeromeallusion, high confidence393
Gen 35:16–20Commentary on Jeremiah 6.18 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 414-419

Genesis 35:18

And with her last breath—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni. But his father called him Benjamin.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:18Homilies on Jeremiah 19.13 · Origenallusion, medium confidenceca. 240
Gen 35:18Preparation for the Gospel 9.21.10 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Gen 35:18Demonstration 4.6 · Aphrahatallusion, high confidence337-345
Gen 35:18Letter 66.4 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 35:18Letter 108.10 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 35:18Letter 140.16 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 35:18On the Blessings of the Patriarchs 57 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-392
Gen 35:18Letters 13.4 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, high confidenceca. 394–413
Gen 35:18Part 1, chapter 31 · Quodvultdeus of Carthageallusion, high confidenceca. 445-450

Genesis 35:19

So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:19Dialogue with Trypho 78.8 · Justin Martyrallusion, medium confidenceca. 155–160
Gen 35:19Preparation for the Gospel 9.21.10 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Gen 35:19Demonstration of the Gospel 7.2.35 · Eusebius of Caesareaquotation, high confidenceca. 314–324
Gen 35:19Bordeaux Pilgrim 598 · Anonymousallusion, high confidence333
Gen 35:19On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.32 · Ambrosequotation, high confidenceca. 386-390
Gen 35:19On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.34 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-390
Gen 35:19Letter 199.39 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 386–430
Gen 35:19Homilies on Matthew 9.2 · John Chrysostomallusion, high confidenceca. 390
Gen 35:19Letters 13.4 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, high confidenceca. 394–413

Genesis 35:20

Jacob set up a pillar on her grave; it marks Rachel’s tomb to this day.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:20On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.32 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-390
Gen 35:20On Jacob and the Happy Life 2.34 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 386-390
Gen 35:20Letters 13.4 · Paulinus of Nolaallusion, high confidenceca. 394–413

Genesis 35:21

Israel again set out and pitched his tent beyond the Tower of Eder.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:21Letter 108.10 · Jeromeallusion, high confidenceca. 370–419

Genesis 35:22

While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard about it. Jacob had twelve sons:

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:22Arabic Pentateuch fragment VIII (on Gen 35:22) · Hippolytus of Romeallusion, high confidenceunknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Gen 35:22Homilies on Joshua 9.6 · Origenallusion, high confidenceca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Gen 35:22Catechetical Lecture 11.3 · Cyril of Jerusalemallusion, medium confidenceca. 350
Gen 35:22Question 110, section 2 · Ambrosiasterallusion, high confidenceca. 370–384
Gen 35:22Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 34.17.2 · Epiphanius of Salamisallusion, medium confidence374-377
Gen 35:22Letter 78.8 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 386–430
Gen 35:22On the Blessings of the Patriarchs 8 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 387-392
Gen 35:22Against Faustus the Manichaean 22.64 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidenceca. 398–400
Gen 35:22–26Part 1, chapter 25 · Quodvultdeus of Carthageallusion, high confidenceca. 445-450

Genesis 35:23

The sons of Leah were Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:23Tractates on the Gospel of John 11.11 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, medium confidenceca. 406–420

Genesis 35:27

Jacob returned to his father Isaac at Mamre, near Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:27Preparation for the Gospel 9.21.11 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324

Genesis 35:28

And Isaac lived 180 years.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:28Preparation for the Gospel 9.21.11 · Eusebius of Caesareaallusion, high confidenceca. 313–324
Gen 35:28Letter 52.2 · Jeromeallusion, medium confidenceca. 370–419
Gen 35:28–29Genesis, lines 1100–1123 · Cyprianus Gallusallusion, high confidenceearly 5th cent.
Gen 35:28City of God 15.14 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence413–426
Gen 35:28City of God 18.4 · Augustine of Hippoallusion, high confidence413–426

Genesis 35:29

Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.

BSB
ReferencePassageKindDate
Gen 35:29Oration 7.2 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, high confidenceca. 362–383
Gen 35:29Oration 8.21 · Gregory of Nazianzusallusion, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Gen 35:29Oration 18.2 · Gregory of Nazianzusecho, medium confidenceca. 362–383
Gen 35:29On Cain and Abel 1.6 · Ambroseallusion, high confidenceca. 375-378