Genesis 48:7
Genesis 48:7 in Multiple Translations
Now as for me, when I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died along the way in the land of Canaan, some distance from Ephrath. So I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath” (that is, Bethlehem).
And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath; the same is Beth-lehem.
And as for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan in the way, when there was still some distance to come unto Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way to Ephrath (the same is Beth-lehem).
And as for me, when I came from Paddan, death overtook Rachel on the way, when we were still some distance from Ephrath; and I put her to rest there on the road to Ephrath, which is Beth-lehem.
I'm doing this because tragically for me when I was returning from Paddan-aram, Rachel died in Canaan some distance from Ephrath. I buried her there on the way to Ephrath” (also known as Bethlehem).
Nowe when I came from Padan, Rahel died vpon mine hande in the lande of Canaan, by the way when there was but halfe a dayes iourney of grounde to come to Ephrath: and I buryed her there in the way to Ephrath: the same is Beth-lehem.
'And I — in my coming in from Padan-Aram Rachel hath died by me in the land of Canaan, in the way, while yet a kibrath of land to enter Ephrata, and I bury her there in the way of Ephrata, which [is] Bethlehem.'
As for me, when I came from Paddan, Rachel died beside me in the land of Canaan on the way, when there was still some distance to come to Ephrath, and I buried her there on the way to Ephrath (also called Bethlehem).”
And as for me, when I came from Padan, Rachel died by me in the land of Canaan, in the way, when yet there was but a little way to come to Ephrath: and I buried her there in the way of Ephrath, the same is Beth-lehem.
For, when I came out of Mesopotamia, Rachel died from me in the land of Chanaan in the very journey, and it was springtime: and I was going to Ephrata, and I buried her near the way of Ephrata, which by another name is called Bethlehem.
Many years ago, as I was returning from Paddan-Aram/Mesopotamia, your mother Rachel died in the Canaan region, while we were still traveling, not far from Ephrath town. So I buried her body there alongside the road to Ephrath [which is now called Bethlehem].”
Jacob also said to Joseph, “I want your 2 sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to have their own tribes and their own land, because your mother Rachel only gave me 2 sons. She had you and your brother Benjamin. And then she died, and I was really sad. At that time, we were going from Paddan Aram country to Canaan country. Your mother died in Canaan country, on the way to the town called Efrath. And I buried her body near the road that goes to Efrath.” Another name for that town is Bethlehem.
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 48:7
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Genesis 48:7 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 48:7
Study Notes — Genesis 48:7
- Context
- Cross References
- Genesis 48:7 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Genesis 48:7
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 48:7
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 48:7
- Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 48:7
- Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 48:7
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 48:7
- Cambridge Bible on Genesis 48:7
- Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 48:7
- Sermons on Genesis 48:7
Context — Jacob Blesses Ephraim and Manasseh
7Now as for me, when I was returning from Paddan, to my sorrow Rachel died along the way in the land of Canaan, some distance from Ephrath. So I buried her there beside the road to Ephrath” (that is, Bethlehem).
8When Israel saw the sons of Joseph, he asked, “Who are these?” 9Joseph said to his father, “They are the sons God has given me in this place.” So Jacob said, “Please bring them to me, that I may bless them.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 35:16–19 | 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. During her severe labor, the midwife said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you are having another son.” And with her last breath—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni. But his father called him Benjamin. So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). |
| 2 | Matthew 2:18 | “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” |
| 3 | Genesis 35:9 | After Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 17:12 | Now David was the son of a man named Jesse, an Ephrathite from Bethlehem of Judah who had eight sons in the days of Saul. And Jesse was old and well along in years. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 1:1 | Now there was a man named Elkanah who was from Ramathaim-zophim in the hill country of Ephraim. He was the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. |
| 6 | Micah 5:2 | But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel — One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity. |
| 7 | 1 Samuel 10:2 | When you leave me today, you will find two men at Rachel’s tomb in Zelzah on the border of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you seek have been found, and now your father has stopped worrying about the donkeys and started worrying about you, asking, “What should I do about my son?”’ |
| 8 | Ruth 1:2 | The man’s name was Elimelech, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah, and they entered the land of Moab and settled there. |
| 9 | Genesis 25:20 | and Isaac was forty years old when he married Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean from Paddan-aram and the sister of Laban the Aramean. |
Genesis 48:7 Summary
Genesis 48:7 tells us about a very sad time in Jacob's life when his wife Rachel died. He buried her in a special place called Bethlehem, which would later become an important city in the Bible (as seen in Matthew 2:1-6). Jacob's love for Rachel and his sorrow over her death show us how much he cared for her. This story reminds us that it's okay to feel sad when someone we love dies, and we can always turn to God for comfort, just like Jacob did (as seen in Psalm 23:4 and Isaiah 41:10).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Jacob bury Rachel in Bethlehem instead of Hebron where Abraham and other family members were buried?
According to Genesis 48:7, Jacob buried Rachel in Bethlehem because that is where she died, and it was a significant location for their family's history (as seen in Genesis 35:19 and Ruth 4:11).
What is the significance of Jacob mentioning his sorrow over Rachel's death in this context?
Jacob's expression of sorrow over Rachel's death in Genesis 48:7 highlights the deep love and loss he experienced, which is also seen in Genesis 29:20 and Genesis 30:22, where his affection for Rachel is evident.
How does this verse relate to the broader story of Jacob's life and his relationship with his family?
Genesis 48:7 is part of Jacob's personal history, which is intertwined with his family's story, including his sons and their inheritance, as discussed in Genesis 48:5-6 and Genesis 49:1-28.
What can we learn from Jacob's actions and emotions in this verse about dealing with loss and grief?
Jacob's response to Rachel's death, as mentioned in Genesis 48:7, demonstrates the importance of acknowledging and expressing grief, as seen in Psalm 34:18 and Ecclesiastes 3:4, which encourage honesty about our emotions before God.
Reflection Questions
- How have you experienced loss or grief in your life, and how did you respond to it?
- What role does faith play in coping with the death of a loved one, as seen in Jacob's story?
- In what ways can we honor and remember those who have passed away, as Jacob did with Rachel's burial in Genesis 48:7?
- How can we find comfort in God's presence and promises during times of sorrow, as Jacob seemed to do despite his grief?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 48:7
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 48:7
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Genesis 48:7
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 48:7
Ellicott's Commentary on Genesis 48:7
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Genesis 48:7
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 48:7
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 48:7
Sermons on Genesis 48:7
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Genesis #21 Ch. 35-37 Joseph, the Dreamer by Chuck Missler | In this sermon, Chuck Missler discusses Genesis chapters 35 through 37. He begins by praying for understanding and guidance from the Holy Spirit. He then highlights the importance |
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Christ in Genesis: Jacob's Pillars by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the life of Jacob and the four pillars that make up the testimony of Jesus entrusted to the church. The first pillar is awakening, where indi |
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The Birth of the Infant Lord by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the three disasters that have engulfed the human race: total, moral, and spiritual disaster. He emphasizes the importance of understanding th |
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Internship Program Study Part 1 by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of seeing God work in the lives of believers. He explains that although perfection may not be achieved in a short period of t |
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Jacob - Gods Unchanging Grace - Genesis 25 - Sermon 5 of 5 by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of being willing to be overcome and conquered by God in order to receive His grace. He refers to a hymn by George Matheson th |
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(Genesis) Genesis 32-34 by Joe Focht | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob wrestling with God in the dark. Jacob, who is alone and afraid, is suddenly attacked by someone in the darkness. They wres |
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El Shaddai, Divine Healing in the Church by Paris Reidhead | Paris Reidhead preaches about the importance of encountering God's character through faith and obedience, using the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 as an example. He empha |







