The Church Fathers on this verse

Genesis 35:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And he departed from him.

Douay-Rheims

וַיַּ֥עַל מֵעָלָ֖יו אֱלֹהִ֑ים בַּמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁר־דִּבֶּ֥ר אִתּֽוֹ׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

After making such promises, it is stated that 'God ascended' from the place where He had conversed with him. Notice how Sacred Scripture accommodates our understanding through its choice of words. When it says 'God ascended from him,' it does not imply that the Divine Being is limited to any specific location; rather, it invites us to acknowledge the profound humanity of God. This way of narrating reflects the Spirit's grace, which lowers itself to our human frailty. The phrases 'ascended and departed' may seem inadequate to describe God, yet such earthly expressions serve as profound evidence of His ineffable humanity; thus, Scripture resorts to human language for our benefit.

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Otherwise, the grandeur of His words would be beyond our comprehension if conveyed according to the majesty of the Lord. With this understanding, let us not focus solely on the simplicity of the language; instead, let us be in awe of the Lord's boundless goodness and His willingness to accommodate our weakness.

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