Genesis 35:7

WEB

He built an altar there, and called the place El Beth El; because there God was revealed to him, when he fled from the face of his brother.

KJV

And he built there an altar, and called the place Elbethel: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother.

Commentary

And he built there an altar,.... As he was bid to do, and as he promised he would, Gen 35:1 , and called the place Elbethel; the God of Bethel; a title which God takes to himself, Gen 31:13 ; or rather the sense is, that he called the place with respect God, or because of his appearance to him there, Bethel, confirming the name he had before given it, Gen 36:19 ; see Gen 35:15 ; as the following reason shows: because there God appeared; or the divine Persons, for both words are plural that are used; the Targum of Jonathan has it, the angels of God, and so Aben Ezra interprets it; but here, no doubt, the divine Being is meant, who appeared unto him; to Jacob in this place, as he went to Mesopotamia, and comforted and encouraged him with many promises: when he fled from the face of his brother; his brother Esau, who was wroth with him, and sought to take away his life, and therefore was forced to flee for it.