Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsGenesis 35
English College of Douai–Rheims
Read Genesis 35 in the BibleGenesis 35:10
Called him Israel.
As the Patriarch now performeth his vow to God, so God fulfilleth his promise, giving him a new name. [1] For Jacob a supplanter, signifying too small force and praise for such a champion, God therefore honoured him with the name of Israel. That is, One that seeth and contemplateth God, as most ancient writers expound it. Also A prince, or valiant with God, as S. Hierom sheweth Tradit. Heb. For Isra in Hebrew signifieth To domineer, or rule over, and El signifieth God. And so this name given to him testifieth that he, by God's gift and grace, was valiant even against an Angel, representing God, much more against men, and other adversaries. Others interpret it, The right one of God, as witnesseth the same S. Hierome both here, and in his commentaries in 44. Isaiæ. All do import a great excellency in this Patriarch. and the success of things confirmeth the same. Particularly in that not only some one of his sons (as in the issue of Abraham and Isaac, the rest being excluded) but his whole progeny of twelve sons [2], making twelve Tribes, were participant of the peculiar blessings, in their offspring possessing the promised land, and exceedingly increasing became the most principal nation in the world, the selected people of God, called by the name and title of the children of Israel. Of whom not only Moyses, but all the Old Testament most specially treateth, and of whom and in whom the promised Messias, the Redeemer of mankind, should be born.
- 1 The name Israel signifieth special prerogatives in the Patriarch Jacob.
- 2 All his twelve sons in their posterity were heirs of the promised land.
Original Douay–Rheims Annotations — English College of Douai–Rheims. CC0 1.0
Genesis 35:2
Cast away the strange gods.
◦ Jacob preparing to perform his vow of building a house and altar to God, first extirpateth all Idolatry from amongst his people; and then by Sacrifice appeaseth God's wrath, provoked howsoever, and specially by Simeon and Levi killing the Sichemites. Duly considering that what people or person desireth God's protection and blessings, must first be pure in Religion, and cleansed from sins: Quia ei nulla nocebit adversitas, si nulla es dominetur iniquitas: because no adversity shall hurt him, if no iniquity have dominion over him. orat. ser. 6. post cineres.