The place appointed for this solemn service was one already sacred from its association with the history of their fathers. It was here that Abraham raised his first altar to Jehovah in the land of Canaan. Here both Abraham and Jacob had pitched their tents. Here the latter bought the field in which the tribes were to bury the body of Joseph. Here also was the well that Jacob 500 had dug, and the oak under which he had buried the idolatrous images of his household.

Det sted, hvor denne højtidelige ceremoni skulle foregå, var knyttet til deres fædres historie med hellige bånd. Det var her, Abraham byggede sit første alter til Gud i Kanaans land. Både Abraham og Jakob havde opslået deres telt her. Her købte Jakob den mark, hvor israelitterne skulle begrave Josefs legeme. Her fandtes også den brønd, som Jakob havde gravet, og den eg, hvorunder han havde begravet alle de afgudsbilleder, som tilhørte hans husstand.