Genesis 35:2
Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:
Genesis 35:2 (KJV)
Context
This verse comes as Jacob prepares to return to Bethel, the place where God had appeared to him years earlier and where he had made a vow to the Lord. God had just commanded him in Genesis 35:1 to go up to Bethel and build an altar there. Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, where he had lived with his uncle Laban for many years, and he was now traveling through Canaan with his family and possessions. The command in this verse is the first step of obedience as Jacob prepares his household to meet God at Bethel.
Meaning
Jacob addresses his household and all who were with him, giving three specific instructions: put away the strange gods, be clean, and change garments. The “strange gods” are the foreign idols that had been brought into the camp, including the household teraphim that Rachel had taken from Laban (Genesis 31:19, 34-35). These idols were associated with Laban’s household and had been carried along during the journey. Jacob’s command to remove them was essential because the people could not worship the Lord while holding onto other gods.
The call to “be clean” and “change your garments” points to ceremonial purification and the pursuit of holiness. This was both a physical and symbolic act: the washing and new clothes represented a visible break from impurity and a readiness to approach God in worship. It prepared the people to encounter the Lord at Bethel with reverence and purity.
Biblical connections
Jacob’s return to Bethel fulfills the vow he made in Genesis 28:10-22, when God appeared to him in a dream and promised to be with him. At that time, Jacob set up a pillar and vowed that the Lord would be his God. Now, years later, he returns to that place to honor his commitment. The household’s response in Genesis 35:4 shows their obedience: they gave Jacob all the foreign gods and earrings, and he hid them under the oak near Shechem. This act of putting away idols and purifying themselves echoes the broader biblical pattern of repentance and covenant renewal.
Application
Rejecting idolatry: The command to put away the strange gods reminds us to identify and remove anything that competes with God for our devotion. Idols today can be material possessions, ambitions, relationships, or false ideologies. Just as Jacob’s household had to rid themselves of physical idols, we must examine our hearts and set aside whatever hinders our worship of the one true God.
Pursuing holiness: The call to be clean and change garments signifies the pursuit of a life set apart for God. This involves regular self-examination, confession, and repentance, allowing God to purify our hearts and minds from the contamination of sin.
Preparing for worship: Jacob’s instructions show that approaching God requires preparation and reverence. Before coming to worship, it is good to examine our hearts, confess our sins, and ensure we are in a right relationship with God. This posture of humility and readiness helps us encounter Him more fully.
Covenant faithfulness: Jacob’s return to Bethel and the removal of foreign gods reflect his renewed commitment to the covenant he had made with God. This verse encourages us to remain faithful to our covenant relationship with God, keeping His commandments and seeking His presence throughout our lives.
Reflection
Genesis 35:2 captures a decisive moment of spiritual reform in Jacob’s household. The command to put away strange gods, be clean, and change garments was not merely ritual; it was a necessary preparation for meeting God. As we consider this verse, we are invited to ask what needs to be put away in our own lives so that we can approach God with clean hands and a pure heart. The path to Bethel begins with a deliberate turning from anything that competes with God’s rightful place in our lives.
