THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Upon his arrival at Bethel, it is reported that he fulfilled his divine instruction by constructing an altar and naming the location 'Bethel'.
Genesis 35:6Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And Jacob came to Luza, which is in the land of Chanaan, surnamed Bethel: he and all the people that were with him.
וַיָּבֹ֨א יַעֲקֹ֜ב ל֗וּזָה אֲשֶׁר֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן הִ֖וא בֵּֽית־אֵ֑ל ה֖וּא וְכָל־הָעָ֥ם אֲשֶׁר־עִמּֽוֹ׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Cyrill of Alexandria
The Creator of the universe summoned the virtuous man from Sikim to Bethel. He did not persist in unrighteousness. Upon reaching Luz, he was graced with a divine vision and assured by the promise that he would become the progenitor of numerous nations, and so he proceeded to Bethel.
Jerome of Stridon
This serves as a straightforward affirmation that in earlier days, Bethel was commonly referred to as Luz, which translates to ‘almond,’ rather than Ulammaus, as previously mentioned.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- Gen 28:19And he called the name of the city Bethel, which before was called Luza.
- Gen 12:8And passing on from thence to a mountain, that was on the east side of Bethel, he there pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: he built there also an altar to the Lord, and called upon his name.
- Gen 28:22And this stone, which I have set up for a title, shall be called the house of God: and of all things that thou shalt give to me, I will offer tithes to thee.
- Judg 1:22The house of Joseph also went up against Bethel, and the Lord was with them.
- Judg 1:26Who being sent away, went into the land of Hetthim, and built there a city, and called it Luza: which is so called until this day.
- Gen 48:3And when Joseph was come in to him, he said: God almighty appeared to me at Luza, which is in the land of Chanaan, and he blessed me,