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Genesis 35:14 states, “Jacob set up a marker at the place where he had spoken to him—a stone marker. He poured a drink offering on it and poured oil on it.” This passage describes an important moment in Jacob’s journey, where he responds to JHVH’s command to return to Bethel and fulfill the vow he had made years earlier. The act of offering a libation and pouring oil on the stone marker was an expression of worship and devotion, following an ancient custom of acknowledging divine encounters. Understanding the significance of offerings in this context provides insight into biblical worship practices, the role of sacred spaces, and the fulfillment of vows before JHVH.

Why Did Jacob Set Up a Stone Marker and Pour Offerings?

Jacob’s actions in Genesis 35:14 were a continuation of his earlier encounter at Bethel, recorded in Genesis 28:18-22. At that time, after experiencing a vision of a stairway reaching to heaven and receiving JHVH’s promise of blessing, Jacob declared, “This stone that I have set up as a marker will be God’s house, and I will give to you a tenth of all that you give me.” (Genesis 28:22). Now, years later, JHVH commands him to return to Bethel and fulfill his vow (Genesis 35:1).

The stone marker served as a physical memorial of Jacob’s renewed commitment to JHVH. Such markers were commonly used in the ancient Near East to signify significant religious experiences, treaty agreements, or divine encounters. By setting up the stone, Jacob acknowledged that Bethel was a sacred place where JHVH had appeared to him.

The pouring of a drink offering and oil on the stone was an act of consecration. The drink offering, likely consisting of wine, was a symbolic gesture of devotion and submission to JHVH. The oil represented dedication and sanctification, setting apart the location as holy. These actions reflected the broader biblical pattern of making offerings as acts of worship and commitment.

What Was the Purpose of Drink Offerings in the Bible?

The concept of the drink offering (nesekh, נֶסֶךְ) appears frequently in the Old Testament and was a standard component of sacrificial worship. Although Genesis 35:14 is the first explicit mention of a drink offering, later biblical texts provide a more detailed understanding of its role.

Exodus 29:40-41 describes how drink offerings were included in the daily burnt offerings, stating, “With the first lamb offer two quarts of fine flour mixed with a quart of olive oil from crushed olives, and a drink offering of a quart of wine.” This demonstrates that pouring out a liquid as an offering was an established form of worship. Numbers 15:5-10 further specifies that drink offerings were often paired with burnt offerings and grain offerings, forming a complete sacrificial presentation.

The drink offering symbolized the dedication of one’s life to JHVH. The act of pouring out wine represented the surrender of personal resources in recognition of divine sovereignty. This theme is echoed in 2 Samuel 23:16, where David refuses to drink water brought by his men at great risk, instead pouring it out before JHVH as an offering. In the New Testament, Paul later applies the imagery of a drink offering to his own life, saying in Philippians 2:17, “Even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.”

Jacob’s drink offering at Bethel thus aligns with this broader biblical pattern of expressing gratitude, devotion, and surrender to JHVH through the symbolic act of pouring out a liquid offering.

Why Did Jacob Pour Oil on the Stone?

In addition to the drink offering, Jacob poured oil on the stone marker. The use of oil in biblical worship was associated with consecration, anointing, and setting something apart for divine purposes.

Anointing with oil was a common practice in the ancient world, often used to designate individuals or objects as holy. Exodus 30:25-29 describes how Moses was instructed to anoint the tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests with sacred oil, stating, “You must consecrate them so that they will be especially holy.” Similarly, kings and prophets were anointed with oil as a sign of divine appointment (1 Samuel 16:13).

By pouring oil on the stone at Bethel, Jacob was signifying that the location was dedicated to JHVH. This mirrored his earlier action in Genesis 28:18, where he had also poured oil on a stone after his initial vision at Bethel. In both instances, the anointing of the stone marked the place as a site of divine encounter and reinforced Jacob’s commitment to JHVH’s covenant.

How Did This Offering Fulfill Jacob’s Vow?

Jacob’s return to Bethel and his acts of worship fulfilled the vow he had made years earlier when fleeing from Esau. In Genesis 28:20-22, Jacob had promised that if JHVH protected him and brought him back safely, he would dedicate Bethel as JHVH’s house and give a tenth of his wealth. Now, after experiencing JHVH’s faithfulness, he fulfills his promise by setting up the stone marker, offering sacrifices, and officially renaming the place Bethel (Beit-El, בֵּית־אֵל), meaning “House of God” (Genesis 35:15).

This fulfillment of a vow highlights the biblical principle that commitments made before JHVH are binding and must be honored. Deuteronomy 23:21-23 emphasizes this responsibility: “If you make a vow to Jehovah your God, do not be slow to keep it, because he will require it of you, and it will be counted against you as sin. But if you refrain from making a vow, it will not be counted against you as sin. Be careful to do whatever comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed what you promised to Jehovah your God.”

Jacob’s obedience in returning to Bethel and offering sacrifices demonstrates his spiritual growth. Whereas he had once bargained with JHVH, now he responds with gratitude and worship, acknowledging that JHVH’s promises had been fulfilled.

What Theological Themes Are Present in Genesis 35:14?

The offering described in Genesis 35:14 illustrates several key theological themes found throughout Scripture.

One prominent theme is JHVH’s faithfulness to His promises. Jacob had fled Canaan as a young man, uncertain of his future, but JHVH had assured him of protection and blessing. Now, as he returns safely, he acknowledges JHVH’s provision and fulfills his vow. This reflects the biblical truth that JHVH is always faithful to His word, as affirmed in Numbers 23:19: “God is not a man, that he might lie, or a son of man, that he might change his mind. Does he speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?”

Another theme is the proper response to divine blessing. Jacob’s actions demonstrate that gratitude to JHVH should be expressed through acts of worship and dedication. His offering parallels later instructions given to Israel regarding sacrifices and offerings as expressions of thanksgiving. Psalm 116:12-14 captures this attitude, stating, “How can I repay Jehovah for all the good he has done for me? I will take the cup of salvation and call on the name of Jehovah. I will fulfill my vows to Jehovah in the presence of all his people.”

Additionally, this passage highlights the sanctification of places of divine encounter. By setting up a stone marker and anointing it with oil, Jacob acknowledged Bethel as a sacred location where JHVH had revealed Himself. While later Israelite worship would center around the tabernacle and temple, this early practice demonstrates that worship involves recognizing and consecrating places where JHVH has acted.

Conclusion

Genesis 35:14 provides a profound example of worship, gratitude, and faithfulness to JHVH. Jacob’s offering of a drink libation and the anointing of the stone marker at Bethel signified his recognition of JHVH’s presence and the fulfillment of his earlier vow. These actions align with biblical patterns of sacrifice and consecration, illustrating the principles of honoring commitments, expressing devotion, and acknowledging JHVH’s sovereignty.

Through this account, Scripture reinforces that those who have received JHVH’s blessings should respond with worship and obedience. Jacob’s actions at Bethel serve as a model of faithfulness, demonstrating that genuine gratitude is best expressed through dedication to JHVH and the fulfillment of one’s promises.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).