Though Young's Literal Translation is difficult at times to read and to understand, there are many times when I am so grateful for it and the understanding it gives to me.

Consider these words which Jacob spoke to all who were with him "and we rise and go up to Bethel and I make there an altar to God, who is answering in the day of my distress and is with me in the way that I have gone".

The verb 'is answering' is a continuing action of God, and 'is with me', though Jacob is referring to the past, is to say that God is ever present with him in that past and to the present day also.

The lists of names of the generations of families, sons of sons of sons, that we find in the Bible are awesome: this record keeping is such an evidence to me of true history, of fact recorded and written down and how important are the names of people to be recorded for ever in this way.

God records names, our individual identity which is so important to Him. Each one of us is precious in HIs sight.

In chapter 35 he gives a new name to Jacob, meaning supplanter or deceiver or grabber, the name 'Israel', the one who strives with God, and he can leave his past, when he was the one who grabbed and took by cunning, conniving and opportunism, and live differently in the future. In wrestling with God, he recognised that his life is in God's hands and he does not need to grab from people in order to achieve what he longs for, because God blesses freely those who put their trust in Him. We do not need to make our own way in life by force or cunning, but listen to God and do as He instructs.