According to Genesis 28:10-22, Jacob had a divine encounter with God at a location he later named “Bethel.” The Lord did not specifically direct him to go there; rather, it became Bethel because of the significant encounter Jacob experienced there. Originally called Luz, Jacob changed the name to Bethel in recognition of his encounter with God.
The word “Bethel” is not simply a national or generic name; it represents a personal revelation. While Jacob called it Bethel after his encounter, the citizens of that region still referred to it as Luz.
In Hebrew ‘Beth’ and ‘Bayith’ mean “house,” while “El” means “God.” Therefore, “Beth-el” translates to “house of God.” The more formal term for “house of God” in Hebrew is “El Bayith.” However, Jacob’s choice to name the place “Bethel” reflects his personal experience and revelation of the house of God.
In essence, Bethel represents a deeply personal encounter and revelation of God, rather than just a physical location or generic name.
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