jacob bible

Facts about Jacob in the Bible:

• He tricked his brother Esau out of their father’s blessing.
• He fled from Esau’s anger and went to live with his uncle Laban.
• He married Laban’s two daughters and had twelve sons with them.
• His sons became the ancestors of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
• He was also the father of one daughter.
• He was called by God to be the father of the Twelve...

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What did Jacob do in the Bible?

Along his journey Jacob received a special revelation from God; God promised Jacob lands and numerous offspring that would prove to be the blessing of the entire Earth. Jacob named the place where he received his vision Bethel (“House of God”).

What does Jacob symbolize in the Bible?

It comes from the Old Testament and means “supplanter,” which is often interpreted as someone who seizes, circumvents, or usurps.

Why did Jacob fight with God?

Like some Jewish commentators, Islamic commentators described the event as punishment for Jacob failing to give tithes to God but making an offering like a tithe to Esau.

Who is Jacob to Jesus in the Bible?

Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ."

Why was Jacob God chosen?

God chose Jacob because He wanted to choose Jacob - not because of anything Jacob had done, good or bad.

What does Jacob mean spiritually?

to supplantThe name comes either from the Hebrew root עקב ʿqb meaning "to follow, to be behind" but also "to supplant, circumvent, assail, overreach", or from the word for "heel", עֲקֵב ʿaqeb. It can also be taken to mean "may God protect."

Who saw God's face in the Bible?

Ex 33:11 informs a reader that God would speak to Moses face to face as a man speaks with his friend. A few verses later, in 33:14-15, God promises Moses that His face will go with him.

Did Jacob wrestle with an angel?

Jacob, son of Isaac and brother of Esau, wrestled with an angel all through one night on the bank of the Jabbok.

Why did Jacob deceive his father?

Jacob, who had deceived his father, is in turn deceived and cheated by his uncle Laban concerning Jacob's seven years of service (lacking money for a dowry) for the hand of Laban's daughter Rachel, receiving his older daughter Leah instead.

What did Jacob call God?

In Genesis 13:4, we're told that Abram call on the name of Jehovah. In Genesis 14:22, Abram said he had raised his hand to Jehovah. Abraham actually called God Jehovah numerous times, as did Isaac and Jacob.

Did Jesus have a wife?

"Christian tradition has long held that Jesus was not married, even though no reliable historical evidence exists to support that claim," King said in a press release.

What is Jacob's name in Genesis?

As a twin in the womb with Esau, he jostled for position and was born grasping his brother’s heel. Jacob’s name is translated as “he deceives” ( Genesis 25:26 ). When his mother, Rebekah, asked God during her pregnancy what was happening to her, God told her that there were two nations within her womb who would become divided. One would be stronger than the other, and the older would serve the younger ( Genesis 25:23 ).

What did Jacob pray for in the Bible?

Jacob prayed for God to save him, reminding God that He had sent Jacob back to the land of Abraham and had promised to make him prosper and his descendants numerous ( Genesis 32:9–12 ). Jacob selected more gifts for Esau, which he sent ahead with servants in waves, hoping to pacify Esau.

Why did Jacob work for Laban?

However, Jacob was to discover that his uncle Laban could be just as much a deceiver as he had been. On Jacob’s wedding night, Laban substituted his older daughter, Leah, for Rachel ( Genesis 29:23-25 ).

What was Jacob's favoritism for Joseph?

Such was Jacob’s favoritism for Joseph that it caused great resentment among his brothers and nearly cost Joseph his life. When Isaac was old and his eyesight faded, he thought he was near to his death and made arrangements with Esau to pass on to him the blessings due to the firstborn son ( Genesis 27:1-4 ).

Why did Jacob cross his hands?

Unlike his father who had been deceived into giving the blessing of the firstborn to Jacob, Jacob crossed his hands to purposefully give the uncustomary blessing. The similarities in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are striking. In their stories we see the importance of family and the influence of example.

What is the difference between Jacob and Esau?

One would be stronger than the other, and the older would serve the younger ( Genesis 25:23 ). Jacob and Esau grew up together living a nomadic life. Es au became a fine hunter and loved to be out in the countryside while Jacob "was content to stay at home among the tents" ( Genesis 25:27 ). Esau, being a hunter, was his father’s favorite as Isaac ...

What did Jacob say to the man who touched his hip?

The man touched Jacob’s hip, putting it out of socket, but at daybreak Jacob still refused to let the man go. He asked for a blessing and was told, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome" ( Genesis 32:28 ).

Who is Jacob in the Bible?

Jacob first appears in the Book of Genesis, where he is described as the son of Isaac and Rebecca, and the grandson of Abraham, Sarah and Bethuel. According to the biblical account, he was the second-born of Isaac's children, the elder being Jacob's fraternal twin brother, Esau.

What does Jacob mean in Hebrew?

The second son they named יעקב, Jacob (Ya'aqob or Ya'aqov, meaning "heel-catcher", "supplanter", "leg-puller", "he who follows upon the heels of one", from Hebrew: עקב ‎, 'aqab or 'aqav, "seize by the heel", "circumvent", "restrain", a wordplay upon Hebrew: עקבה ‎, 'iqqebah or 'iqqbah, "heel").

Why did Rachel give Jacob her handmaid?

Rachel, however, remained barren. Following the example of Sarah, who gave her handmaid to Abraham after years of infertility, Rachel gave Jacob her handmaid, Bilhah, in marriage so that Rachel could raise children through her. Bilhah gave birth to Dan and Naphtali.

How old was Rebecca when she married Jacob?

According to the second opinion, Rebecca was 14 years old at the time of their marriage, and 34 years old at the birth of Jacob and Essau. In either case, Isaac and Rebecca were married for 20 years before Jacob and Esau were born.

What is the story of Esau and Jacob?

This passage tells that Esau, returning famished from the fields, begged Jacob to give him some of the stew that Jacob had just made.

Why did Isaac want to give Esau his birthright?

As Isaac aged, he became blind and was uncertain when he would die, so he decided to bestow Esau's birthright upon him. He requested that Esau go out to the fields with his weapons (quiver and bow) to kill some venison. Isaac then requested that Esau make "savory meat" for him out of the venison, according to the way he enjoyed it the most, so that he could eat it and bless Esau.

Why did Isaac love Esau?

Moreover, the attitudes of their parents toward them also differed: "And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebecca loved Jacob.". Jacob offering a dish of lentils to Esau for his birthright, 18th-century painting by Zacarias Gonzalez Velazquez.

What does Jacob say in verse 9?

It may be my imagination, but I think Jacob is trying to manipulate God in his prayer. In verse 9 he is claiming God’s promise that He would bless Jacob. In verse 10 he gives God the credit for his prosperity and then he again claims God’s promise to bless him in verses 11-12.

What was Jacob's style of relating?

Jacob’s style of relating was one of manipulating others. He tried to control life and depended on himself, not God. God had to break Jacob of this bad pattern of relating. So, we are going to study what is revealed to us about the life of Jacob and his family and see how it is that God finally got through to him.

What is the act of Rebekah in Act 6?

Act Six - (27:46) - Rebekah convinces Isaac to send Jacob away. Another prime example of her manipulative style is seen in 27:46. When Rebekah fears for Jacob’s life, she goes to Isaac, and by using a logical reason that Jacob needed a wife, she manipulates Isaac into sending Jacob away.

What does Gen 25:27 mean?

Gen 25:27 says Jacob spent most of his time at home. So Rebekah takes over his life and arranges everything for him. She teaches him how to cook. She arranges for him to get the blessing, she arranges for his deliverance from Esau by sending him to her brother Laban, telling him everything will work out fine.

What does Isaac tell Esau to do?

Act One - (27:1-4) - Isaac tells Esau to go get game 1 Isaac is about to disregard God’s word. 2 Esau is not going to honor his agreement with Jacob when he sold his birthright. 3 Rebekah overhears the conversation - Eavesdropping perhaps? 4 We don’t have this directly stated, but Fokkelman points out that when the author represents “Rebekah as an eavesdropper behind the scenes [that] is more pregnant than dwelling upon her plans and intentions.” And of course, it is her idea to deceive Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing.

What does Esau do in verse 6?

He had resources he could use to save himself. In verse 6 the messengers come back and say that Esau is coming to meet them with 400 men. It looks like Esau is bringing warriors to destroy them. In verses 7-8 we see that Jacob devises another plan to save himself.

How many years did Jacob work for Rachel?

Chapters 29-31: tell how Jacob worked seven years for Rachel and then on his wedding night, Laban sent Leah into the tent instead of Rachel. He then worked seven more years for Rachel. Then he worked another six or seven years to build a flock of his own to provide for his family.

Who is Jacob in Esau?

The younger one followed close behind holding onto his brother’s heel. He was named Jacob, “one who takes by the heel.”. Growing up, Esau was cunning and a fierce hunter, a “man of the field.”. Jacob was straightforward and innocent, a constant resident of the study hall.

Where did Jacob live?

Jacob ( Yaakov in Hebrew) was the third and final of the Jewish Patriarchs. Jacob lived in the Land of Canaan, Haran, and Egypt. Unlike Abraham and Isaac , Jacob’s entire family remained righteous—his 12 sons became the 12 tribes of Israel, the Shevatim.

How long did Jacob shelter Laban?

Laban agreed to shelter him for a month, in exchange for Jacob tending to his flock. 8. Jacob and Rachel loved each other, and after a month passed Jacob asked Laban for permission to marry her. Laban agreed, but he stipulated that the marriage take place after Jacob would tend his flocks for seven years.

How old were Jacob and Esau when Abraham passed away?

When Jacob and Esau were 15 years old, Abraham passed away. Jacob was cooking a red lentil soup for his bereaved father when his brother Esau arrived. Esau was ravenously hungry—the Midrash explains that he had just committed his first murder—and he demanded that Jacob feed him the soup. 3

What happened to Jacob after Esau's grandson attacked him?

Jacob set out for Haran all alone. After an attack by Esau’s grandson, he was left penniless too. 5 He rested in a field for the night, placing 12 stones around his head for protection. 6

What did Isaac bless Esau to fulfill?

Afterwards, Isaac would bless Esau to fulfill Abraham’s destiny. 4. Rebecca heard what was going on. She quickly called Jacob, made him disguise himself as Esau, and visit his father to get the blessings before Esau could. When Esau came back from the hunt, he discovered what happened and told his father.

What did Isaac tell Esau to do?

Isaac called Esau and told him to go catch wild animals and prepare a good meal for his father to eat. Afterwards, Isaac would bless Esau to fulfill Abraham’s destiny. 4

What did Isaac say to Jacob?

And Isaac told him all that he had said to Jacob, making him the ruler over his brother. But Esau begged for another blessing; and Isaac said: "My son, your dwelling shall be of the riches of the earth and of the dew of heaven. You shall live by your sword and your descendants shall serve his descendants.

Who was the older, Jacob or Esau?

The older was named Esau and the younger Jacob. Esau was a man of the woods and very fond of hunting; and he was rough and covered with hair. Jacob was quiet and thoughtful, staying at home, dwelling in a tent, and caring for the flocks of his father. Isaac loved Esau more than Jacob, because Esau brought to his father that which he had killed in ...

How many children did Isaac have?

Isaac and his wife Rebekah had two children. The older was named Esau and the younger Jacob. Esau was a man of the woods and very fond ...

How long did Jacob live in Laban's house?

So Jacob lived seven years in Laban's house, caring for his sheep and oxen and camels; but his love for Rachel made the time seem short. At last the day came for the marriage; and they brought in the bride, who, after the manner of that land, was covered with a thick veil, so that her face could not be seen.

What is the name of the place where Jacob set up his head?

And Jacob took the stone on which his head had rested, and he set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on it as an offering to God. And Jacob named that place Bethel, which in the language that Jacob spoke means "The House of God.".

What did Jacob see in his dream?

In his dream he saw stairs leading from the earth where he lay up to heaven; and angels were going up and coming down upon the stairs. And above the stairs, he saw the Lord God standing. And God said to Jacob: "I am the Lord, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac your father; and I will be your God, too.

Who loved Jacob more than Isaac?

But this was long after that time. Isaac and Rebekah were very sorry to have their son Esau marry women who prayed to idols and not to God; but still Isaac loved his active son Esau more than his quiet son Jacob. But Rebekah loved Jacob more than Esau.

What does the Bible say about Jacob?

He was an opportunist, co-conspirator, shifty, untrustworthy, negligent, and a father who picked favorites. Yet God said, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated” (Romans 9:13). God blessed him with many children, a productive lifestyle, and a long life.

What does Jacob's story remind us?

Jacob’s story reminds believers that God is in the business of transforming our struggles for His purposes and our good.

What are Jacob's struggles?

Yet he was the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob’s struggles are our struggles. As believers we don’t always understand the meaning of our struggles, but we hold fast to the conviction that God is in control and He uses our pain to grow us up in the faith. Start today with releasing all your struggles to the Lord and He will bring you peace in the midst of adversity.

Who was Abraham's first son?

Abraham had one son, Isaac, who had twin boys, Esau and Jacob. Although Esau was the firstborn, he was man of natural passions without regard for spiritual things. United in their deception, Rebekah (Jacob’s mother) and Jacob tricked Isaac into blessing him instead of Esau.

The birth of Esau and Jacob

Rebecca, wife of Isaac, bore twin sons, Esau and Jacob. When they were born they seemed to be scrambling for first place: Esau came first, but Jacob came out holding onto Esau’s tiny heel. They were in competition from the start.

Theft of the Birthright and Blessing

Jacob hated being second in line. He always wanted the birthright – the eldest son was entitled to twice the inheritance that any of his brothers got when their father died.

Jacob marries two sisters

Then he set out again on his journey to his mother’s family. He came to a well where some shepherds were watering their flocks. A young girl wanted to draw water from the well, and Jacob learnt from the shepherds she was Rachel, a cousin of his, daughter of his mother’s brother Laban.

Jacob the trickster is tricked

But Laban tricked him into marrying Leah instead – the face of the bride was hidden during the wedding, and once they’d had sexual intercourse in the darkness of the wedding night, there was no going back.

Jacob outwits Laban

Jacob now had four wives – two full wives in Leah and Rachel, and their two maids Zilpah and Bilhah. He loved Rachel, but she did not seem able to conceive.

Jacob escapes from Laban

One day, without any farewell, Jacob gathered up his wives, children and flocks, and left.

Who is Jacob in the Bible?

Bible Dictionaries - Smith's Bible Dictionary - Jacob. Jacob [N] [B] [E] [H] ( supplanter ), the second son of Isaac and Rebekah. He was born with Esau, probably at the well of Lahai-roi, about B.C. 1837. His history is related in the latter half of the book of Genesis.

Where did Jacob live in the Bible?

Jacob now is by right of patriarchal custom head of all the family. He too takes up his residence at Hebron ( Genesis 37:14 ), and the story of the family fortunes is now pursued under the new title of "the generations of Jacob" ( Genesis 37:2 ).

Where did Jacob go for a second time?

For a second time Jacob had fairly to be driven to Beth-el. Safety from his foes was again a gift of God ( Genesis 35:5 ), and in a renewal of the old forgotten ideals of consecration ( Genesis 35:2-8 ), he and all his following move from the painful associations of Shechem to the hallowed associations of Beth-el.

Where did Jacob go after his father's blessing?

Soon after his acquisition of his father's blessing ( Genesis 27 ), Jacob became conscious of his guilt; and afraid of the anger of Esau, at the suggestion of Rebekah Isaac sent him away to Haran, 400 miles or more, to find a wife among his cousins, the family of Laban, the Syrian (28). There he met with Rachel (29).

How old was Isaac when Jacob and his mother conspired to deceive the patriarch?

When Isaac was about 160 years of age, Jacob and his mother conspired to deceive the aged patriarch ( Genesis 27 ), with the view of procuring the transfer of the birthright to himself.

Where did Jacob pitch his tent?

After a brief sojourn at Succoth, Jacob moved forward and pitched his tent near Shechem (q.v.), 33:18 ; but at length, under divine directions, he moved to Bethel, where he made an altar unto God ( Genesis 35:6 Genesis 35:7 ), and where God appeared to him and renewed the Abrahamic covenant.

How many sons did Jacob have?

He becomes the father of 12 sons, who are the progenitors of the tribes of the "peculiar people.". It is for this reason that this people bears his name, and not that of his father Isaac or that of his grandfather Abraham. The "children of Israel," the "house of Jacob," are the totality of the seed of the promise.

What does the Lord say to Jacob?

On his way, the Lord speaks to Jacob in a dream. In it, He tells Jacob He is the Lord and the God of Abraham his father and the God of Isaac. The land upon which he lay is what God will give to him and his offspring, which will be “like the dust of the earth.”. He also tells Jacob in him and his offspring all the families ...

What is the story of Jacob in Genesis?

The story of Jacob (Israel) takes up a huge chunk of Genesis ( Genesis 25:26-50 :21). Many lessons can be gleaned from the sons of Jacob, including: Actions equal consequences— Reuben defiled his father’s bed and forfeited his rights as the eldest son.

What did Jacob say to his sons?

When Jacob (Israel) was about to die, he called his 12 sons to his side to tell them what would happen “in days to come” ( Genesis 49:1 ). We will look at the whole of what he said to them as recorded in the Bible ( Genesis 49: 3-27). To Reuben (whose name means, See, a son), Jacob said, “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, ...

Why did Jacob send Leah to Jacob?

Laban, craftier than Jacob, promised him Rachel, but because tradition dictated the younger was not given before the eldest daughter, he tricked Jacob and sent Leah to him on his wedding night.

What did Jacob promise to Rachel?

That’s a mighty promise. Jacob worshiped the Lord when he awoke, and he promised he would give back a 10th of all God gave him. After Jacob arrived at his Uncle Laban’s, he fell in love with Rachel when he met her at the shepherd’s well ( Genesis 29:9-14 ).

What does Judah say about the blessing?

Judah (Judah’s name sounds like the Hebrew word, praise) received this blessing: “Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up.

Who was used by God in the redemption of Israel?

God always works His will— Joseph, though scorned and abandoned to slavery by his brothers was used mightily by God in the redemption of the nation of Israel ( Genesis 39-50 ). Judah and Tamar are in the lineage of Jesus, despite Judah’s sinful action toward her ( Genesis 38 ). The lessons are numerous.

Overview

Genesis narrative

Etymology

Religious perspectives

Historicity

Further reading

External links