# go up to Bethel

The phrase "go up" is used because Bethel is higher in elevation than Shechem.

# Build an altar there to God

God speaks about himself in the third person. AT: "Build an altar there to me, your God" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])

# said to his household

"said to his family"

# Put away the foreign gods that are among you

"Throw away your idols" or "Get rid of your false gods"

# purify yourselves, and change your clothes

This was the custom of cleansing oneself morally and physically before going to worship God.

# change your clothes

Putting on a new clothes was a sign that they had made themselves clean before approaching God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])

# in the day of my distress

"in the time of my distress" or "when I was in trouble"

# translationWords

* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/god]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/names/jacob]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/names/bethel]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/altar]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/names/esau]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/household]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/falsegod]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/purify]]