Charles Ellicott Commentary Genesis 35:21

"And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Eder." — Genesis 35:21 (ASV)

The tower of Edar. —Hebrew, Eder.Micah 4:8 calls it the hill of the daughter of Zion; but the word used often means a beacon-hill, a hill on which a tower for observation is erected, wrongly translated in the Authorized Version a stronghold.

The tower may, therefore, have been a few miles south of Jerusalem; and since the word “beyond” includes the idea of up to, as far as, the meaning is that Jacob now occupied this region permanently with his cattle.

Until Esau, with his possessions, withdrew to Seir, there would be no room for Jacob and his flocks and herds at Hebron. At Eder, however, he would be so near his father that he could visit him often.

And thus his exile was now over, and he was at last at home.