John Calvin Commentary Genesis 35:4

"And they gave unto Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hand, and the rings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem." — Genesis 35:4 (ASV)

And they gave unto Jacob. Though the holy man had his household in suitable subordination, yet as all yielded such prompt obedience to his command by casting away their idols, I doubt not that they were influenced by the fear of danger. From this we also infer how important it is for us to be aroused from slumber by suffering.

For we know how stubborn and rebellious superstition is. If, in a peaceful and joyous state of affairs, Jacob had given any such command, the greater part of his family would have fraudulently concealed their idols; some, perhaps, would have obstinately refused to surrender them. But now the hand of God urges them, and with ready minds they quickly repent.

It is also probable that, according to the circumstances of the time, Jacob preached to them concerning the righteous judgment of God, to inspire them with fear. When he commands them to cleanse themselves, it is as if he had said, "Until now you have been defiled before the Lord; now, seeing that he has regarded us so mercifully, wash out this filth, lest he should again avert his face from us."

It seems, however, absurd that Jacob should have buried the idols under an oak, and not, instead, have broken them in pieces and consumed them in the fire, as we read that Moses did with the golden calves (Exodus 32:20), and Hezekiah with the brazen serpent (2 Kings 18:4).

This fact is not related this way without reason: Jacob's weakness is touched upon, because he had not been sufficiently provident for the future. And perhaps the Lord punished his previous excessive connivance and lack of firmness by depriving him of prudence or courage.

Yet God accepted his obedience, although it had some remaining defect, knowing that it was the holy man's design to remove idols from his family and, as a sign of his detestation, to bury them in the earth.

The earrings were doubtless badges of superstition, just as today innumerable trifles are seen in the Papacy, by which impiety displays itself.