Genesis 35:15
ESV
So Jacob called the name of the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.
NIV
Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel.
NASB
And Jacob named the place where God had spoken with him, Bethel.
CSB
Jacob named the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.
NLT
And Jacob named the place Bethel (which means 'house of God'), because God had spoken to him there.
KJV
And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel.
NKJV
And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel.
What does Genesis 35:15 mean?
Jacob responded to a renewed command from God (Genesis 35:1). That included burying his family's idols (Genesis 35:4) and traveling to Bethel, where Jacob had once had a divine encounter with God (Genesis 28:10–12). There, God confirmed the covenant promises of Jacob's ancestors are also his (Genesis 17:1; 26:2–4; 28:13–15; 35:11–12). In response, Jacob erected a pillar as a monument, and poured drink and oil offerings on it (Genesis 35:14).Here, Jacob reconfirms the name of this very special place. This is where God has appeared to him, twice. It is appropriate to call it Bethel, meaning "house of God."
