19 He called that place Bethel,
19 He called the name of that place Bethel,
19 He christened the place Bethel (God's House). The name of the town had been Luz until then.
19 And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously.
19 He named that place Bethel (which means "house of God"), although it was previously called Luz.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 28:19
Commentary on Genesis 28:16-19
(Read Genesis 28:16-19)
God manifested himself and his favour, to Jacob, when he was asleep. The Spirit, like the wind, blows when and where it listeth, and God's grace, like the dew, tarrieth not for the sons of men. Jacob sought to improve the visit God had made him. Wherever we are, in the city or in the desert, in the house or in the field, in the shop or in the street, we may keep up our intercourse with Heaven, if it is not our own fault. But the more we see of God, the more cause we see for holy trembling before him.