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| '''Jacob''', one of the founding fathers of the ] | '''Jacob''', one of the founding fathers of the ] | ||
| people. | people. | ||
| The name means ''one who follows on another's heels; supplanter'' | The name means ''one who follows on another's heels; supplanter'' | ||
| He was the second born of the twin sons of ] | He was the second born of the twin sons of ] | ||
| by Rebekah. He was born probably at Lahai-roi, when his father | by Rebekah. He was born probably at Lahai-roi, when his father | ||
| was fifty-nine and ] one hundred and fifty-nine years old. | was fifty-nine and ] one hundred and fifty-nine years old. | ||
| Like his father, he was of a quiet and gentle disposition, and | Like his father, he was of a quiet and gentle disposition, and | ||
| when he grew up followed the life of a shepherd, while his | when he grew up followed the life of a shepherd, while his | ||
| brother ] became an enterprising hunter. His dealing with | brother ] became an enterprising hunter. His dealing with | ||
| Esau, however, showed much mean selfishness and cunning (Gen. | Esau, however, showed much mean selfishness and cunning (Gen. | ||
| 25:29-34). | 25:29-34). | ||
| When Isaac was about 160 years of age, Jacob and his mother | When Isaac was about 160 years of age, Jacob and his mother | ||
| conspired to deceive the aged patriarch (Gen. 27), with the view | conspired to deceive the aged patriarch (Gen. 27), with the view | ||
| of procuring the transfer of the birthright to himself. The | of procuring the transfer of the birthright to himself. The | ||
| birthright secured to him who possessed it (1) superior rank in | birthright secured to him who possessed it (1) superior rank in | ||
| his family (Gen. 49:3); (2) a double portion of the paternal | his family (Gen. 49:3); (2) a double portion of the paternal | ||
| inheritance (Deut. 21:17); (3) the priestly office in the family | inheritance (Deut. 21:17); (3) the priestly office in the family | ||
| (Num. 8:17-19); and (4) the promise of the Seed in which all | (Num. 8:17-19); and (4) the promise of the Seed in which all | ||
| nations of the earth were to be blessed (Gen. 22:18). | nations of the earth were to be blessed (Gen. 22:18). | ||
| Soon after his acquisition of his father's blessing (Gen. 27), | Soon after his acquisition of his father's blessing (Gen. 27), | ||
| Jacob became conscious of his guilt; and afraid of the anger of | Jacob became conscious of his guilt; and afraid of the anger of | ||
| Esau, at the suggestion of Rebekah Isaac sent him away to Haran, | 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 | 400 miles or more, to find a wife among his cousins, the family | ||
| of Laban, the Syrian (28). There he met with Rachel (29). Laban | of Laban, the Syrian (28). There he met with Rachel (29). Laban | ||
| would not consent to give him his daughter in marriage till he | would not consent to give him his daughter in marriage till he | ||
| had served seven years; but to Jacob these years "seemed but a | had served seven years; but to Jacob these years "seemed but a | ||
| few days, for the love he had to her." But when the seven years | few days, for the love he had to her." But when the seven years | ||
| were expired, Laban craftily deceived Jacob, and gave him his | were expired, Laban craftily deceived Jacob, and gave him his | ||
| daughter Leah. Other seven years of service had to be completed | daughter Leah. Other seven years of service had to be completed | ||
| probably before he obtained the beloved Rachel. But "life-long | probably before he obtained the beloved Rachel. But "life-long | ||
| sorrow, disgrace, and trials, in the retributive providence of | sorrow, disgrace, and trials, in the retributive providence of | ||
| God, followed as a consequence of this double union." | God, followed as a consequence of this double union." | ||
| At the close of the fourteen years of service, Jacob desired | At the close of the fourteen years of service, Jacob desired | ||
| to return to his parents, but at the entreaty of Laban he | to return to his parents, but at the entreaty of Laban he | ||
| tarried yet six years with him, tending his flocks (31:41). He | tarried yet six years with him, tending his flocks (31:41). He | ||
| then set out with his family and property "to go to Isaac his | then set out with his family and property "to go to Isaac his | ||
| father in the land of Canaan" (Gen. 31). Laban was angry when he | father in the land of Canaan" (Gen. 31). Laban was angry when he | ||
| heard that Jacob had set out on his journey, and pursued after | heard that Jacob had set out on his journey, and pursued after | ||
| him, overtaking him in seven days. The meeting was of a painful | him, overtaking him in seven days. The meeting was of a painful | ||
| kind. After much recrimination and reproach directed against | kind. After much recrimination and reproach directed against | ||
| Jacob, Laban is at length pacified, and taking an affectionate | Jacob, Laban is at length pacified, and taking an affectionate | ||
| farewell of his daughters, returns to his home in Padanaram. And | farewell of his daughters, returns to his home in Padanaram. And | ||
| now all connection of the Israelites with Mesopotamia is at an | now all connection of the Israelites with Mesopotamia is at an | ||
| end. | end. | ||
| Soon after parting with Laban he is met by a company of | Soon after parting with Laban he is met by a company of | ||
| angels, as if to greet him on his return and welcome him back to | angels, as if to greet him on his return and welcome him back to | ||
| the Land of Promise (32:1, 2). He called the name of the place | the Land of Promise (32:1, 2). He called the name of the place | ||
| Mahanaim, i.e., "the double camp," probably his own camp and | Mahanaim, i.e., "the double camp," probably his own camp and | ||
| that of the angels. The vision of angels was the counterpart of | that of the angels. The vision of angels was the counterpart of | ||
| that he had formerly seen at Bethel, when, twenty years before, | that he had formerly seen at Bethel, when, twenty years before, | ||
| the weary, solitary traveller, on his way to Padan-aram, saw the | the weary, solitary traveller, on his way to Padan-aram, saw the | ||
| angels of God ascending and descending on the ladder whose top | angels of God ascending and descending on the ladder whose top | ||
| reached to heaven (28:12). | reached to heaven (28:12). | ||
| He now hears with dismay of the approach of his brother Esau | He now hears with dismay of the approach of his brother Esau | ||
| with a band of 400 men to meet him. In great agony of mind he | with a band of 400 men to meet him. In great agony of mind he | ||
| prepares for the worst. He feels that he must now depend only on | prepares for the worst. He feels that he must now depend only on | ||
| God, and he betakes himself to him in earnest prayer, and sends | God, and he betakes himself to him in earnest prayer, and sends | ||
| on before him a munificent present to Esau, "a present to my | on before him a munificent present to Esau, "a present to my | ||
| lord Esau from thy servant Jacob." Jacob's family were then | lord Esau from thy servant Jacob." Jacob's family were then | ||
| transported across the Jabbok; but he himself remained behind, | transported across the Jabbok; but he himself remained behind, | ||
| spending the night in communion with God. While thus engaged, | spending the night in communion with God. While thus engaged, | ||
| there appeared one in the form of a man who wrestled with him. | there appeared one in the form of a man who wrestled with him. | ||
| In this mysterious contest Jacob prevailed, and as a memorial of | In this mysterious contest Jacob prevailed, and as a memorial of | ||
| it his name was changed to Israel (wrestler with God); and the | it his name was changed to Israel (wrestler with God); and the | ||
| place where this occured he called Peniel, "for", said he, "I | place where this occured he called Peniel, "for", said he, "I | ||
| have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved" | have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved" | ||
| (32:25-31). | (32:25-31). | ||
| After this anxious night, Jacob went on his way, halting, | After this anxious night, Jacob went on his way, halting, | ||
| mysteriously weakened by the conflict, but strong in the | mysteriously weakened by the conflict, but strong in the | ||
| assurance of the divine favour. Esau came forth and met him; but | assurance of the divine favour. Esau came forth and met him; but | ||
| his spirit of revenge was appeased, and the brothers met as | his spirit of revenge was appeased, and the brothers met as | ||
| friends, and during the remainder of their lives they maintained | friends, and during the remainder of their lives they maintained | ||
| friendly relations. After a brief sojourn at Succoth, Jacob | friendly relations. After a brief sojourn at Succoth, Jacob | ||
| moved forward and pitched his tent near Shechem (q.v.), 33:18; | moved forward and pitched his tent near Shechem (q.v.), 33:18; | ||
| but at length, under divine directions, he moved to Bethel, | but at length, under divine directions, he moved to Bethel, | ||
| where he made an altar unto God (35:6,7), and where God appeared | where he made an altar unto God (35:6,7), and where God appeared | ||
| to him and renewed the Abrahamic covenant. While journeying from | to him and renewed the Abrahamic covenant. While journeying from | ||
| Bethel to Ephrath (the Canaanitish name of Bethlehem), Rachel | Bethel to Ephrath (the Canaanitish name of Bethlehem), Rachel | ||
| died in giving birth to her second son Benjamin (35:16-20), | died in giving birth to her second son Benjamin (35:16-20), | ||
| fifteen or sixteen years after the birth of Joseph. He then | fifteen or sixteen years after the birth of Joseph. He then | ||
| reached the old family residence at Mamre, to wait on the dying | reached the old family residence at Mamre, to wait on the dying | ||
| bed of his father Isaac. The complete reconciliation between | bed of his father Isaac. The complete reconciliation between | ||
| Esau and Jacob was shown by their uniting in the burial of the | Esau and Jacob was shown by their uniting in the burial of the | ||
| patriarch (35:27-29). | patriarch (35:27-29). | ||
| Jacob was soon after this deeply grieved by the loss of his | Jacob was soon after this deeply grieved by the loss of his | ||
| beloved son Joseph through the jealousy of his brothers (37:33). | beloved son Joseph through the jealousy of his brothers (37:33). | ||
| Then follows the story of the famine, and the successive goings | Then follows the story of the famine, and the successive goings | ||
| down into Egypt to buy corn (42), which led to the discovery of | down into Egypt to buy corn (42), which led to the discovery of | ||
| the long-lost Joseph, and the patriarch's going down with all | the long-lost Joseph, and the patriarch's going down with all | ||
| his household, numbering about seventy souls (Ex. 1:5; Deut. | his household, numbering about seventy souls (Ex. 1:5; Deut. | ||
| 10:22; Acts 7:14), to sojourn in the land of Goshen. Here Jacob, | 10:22; Acts 7:14), to sojourn in the land of Goshen. Here Jacob, | ||
| "after being strangely tossed about on a very rough ocean, found | "after being strangely tossed about on a very rough ocean, found | ||
| at last a tranquil harbour, where all the best affections of his | at last a tranquil harbour, where all the best affections of his | ||
| nature were gently exercised and largely unfolded" (Gen. 48). At | nature were gently exercised and largely unfolded" (Gen. 48). At | ||
| length the end of his checkered course draws nigh, and he | length the end of his checkered course draws nigh, and he | ||
| summons his sons to his bedside that he may bless them. Among | summons his sons to his bedside that he may bless them. Among | ||
| his last words he repeats the story of Rachel's death, although | his last words he repeats the story of Rachel's death, although | ||
| forty years had passed away since that event took place, as | forty years had passed away since that event took place, as | ||
| tenderly as if it had happened only yesterday; and when "he had | tenderly as if it had happened only yesterday; and when "he had | ||
| made an end of charging his sons, he gathered up his feet into | made an end of charging his sons, he gathered up his feet into | ||
| the bed, and yielded up the ghost" (49:33). His body was | the bed, and yielded up the ghost" (49:33). His body was | ||
| embalmed and carried with great pomp into the land of Canaan, | embalmed and carried with great pomp into the land of Canaan, | ||
| and buried beside his wife Leah in the cave of Machpelah, | and buried beside his wife Leah in the cave of Machpelah, | ||
| according to his dying charge. | according to his dying charge. | ||
| See also ], ] | |||
| See also ] | |||
| ----- | ----- | ||
| Initial text from Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897 -- Please update as needed | Initial text from Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897 -- Please update as needed | ||
Revision as of 15:43, 25 February 2002
Jacob, one of the founding fathers of the Jewish people.
The name means one who follows on another's heels; supplanter
He was the second born of the twin sons of Isaac by Rebekah. He was born probably at Lahai-roi, when his father was fifty-nine and Abraham one hundred and fifty-nine years old. Like his father, he was of a quiet and gentle disposition, and when he grew up followed the life of a shepherd, while his brother Esau became an enterprising hunter. His dealing with Esau, however, showed much mean selfishness and cunning (Gen. 25:29-34).
When Isaac was about 160 years of age, Jacob and his mother conspired to deceive the aged patriarch (Gen. 27), with the view of procuring the transfer of the birthright to himself. The birthright secured to him who possessed it (1) superior rank in his family (Gen. 49:3); (2) a double portion of the paternal inheritance (Deut. 21:17); (3) the priestly office in the family (Num. 8:17-19); and (4) the promise of the Seed in which all nations of the earth were to be blessed (Gen. 22:18).
Soon after his acquisition of his father's blessing (Gen. 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). Laban would not consent to give him his daughter in marriage till he had served seven years; but to Jacob these years "seemed but a few days, for the love he had to her." But when the seven years were expired, Laban craftily deceived Jacob, and gave him his daughter Leah. Other seven years of service had to be completed probably before he obtained the beloved Rachel. But "life-long sorrow, disgrace, and trials, in the retributive providence of God, followed as a consequence of this double union."
At the close of the fourteen years of service, Jacob desired to return to his parents, but at the entreaty of Laban he tarried yet six years with him, tending his flocks (31:41). He then set out with his family and property "to go to Isaac his father in the land of Canaan" (Gen. 31). Laban was angry when he heard that Jacob had set out on his journey, and pursued after him, overtaking him in seven days. The meeting was of a painful kind. After much recrimination and reproach directed against Jacob, Laban is at length pacified, and taking an affectionate farewell of his daughters, returns to his home in Padanaram. And now all connection of the Israelites with Mesopotamia is at an end.
Soon after parting with Laban he is met by a company of angels, as if to greet him on his return and welcome him back to the Land of Promise (32:1, 2). He called the name of the place Mahanaim, i.e., "the double camp," probably his own camp and that of the angels. The vision of angels was the counterpart of that he had formerly seen at Bethel, when, twenty years before, the weary, solitary traveller, on his way to Padan-aram, saw the angels of God ascending and descending on the ladder whose top reached to heaven (28:12).
He now hears with dismay of the approach of his brother Esau with a band of 400 men to meet him. In great agony of mind he prepares for the worst. He feels that he must now depend only on God, and he betakes himself to him in earnest prayer, and sends on before him a munificent present to Esau, "a present to my lord Esau from thy servant Jacob." Jacob's family were then transported across the Jabbok; but he himself remained behind, spending the night in communion with God. While thus engaged, there appeared one in the form of a man who wrestled with him. In this mysterious contest Jacob prevailed, and as a memorial of it his name was changed to Israel (wrestler with God); and the place where this occured he called Peniel, "for", said he, "I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved" (32:25-31).
After this anxious night, Jacob went on his way, halting, mysteriously weakened by the conflict, but strong in the assurance of the divine favour. Esau came forth and met him; but his spirit of revenge was appeased, and the brothers met as friends, and during the remainder of their lives they maintained friendly relations. 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 (35:6,7), and where God appeared to him and renewed the Abrahamic covenant. While journeying from Bethel to Ephrath (the Canaanitish name of Bethlehem), Rachel died in giving birth to her second son Benjamin (35:16-20), fifteen or sixteen years after the birth of Joseph. He then reached the old family residence at Mamre, to wait on the dying bed of his father Isaac. The complete reconciliation between Esau and Jacob was shown by their uniting in the burial of the patriarch (35:27-29).
Jacob was soon after this deeply grieved by the loss of his beloved son Joseph through the jealousy of his brothers (37:33). Then follows the story of the famine, and the successive goings down into Egypt to buy corn (42), which led to the discovery of the long-lost Joseph, and the patriarch's going down with all his household, numbering about seventy souls (Ex. 1:5; Deut. 10:22; Acts 7:14), to sojourn in the land of Goshen. Here Jacob, "after being strangely tossed about on a very rough ocean, found at last a tranquil harbour, where all the best affections of his nature were gently exercised and largely unfolded" (Gen. 48). At length the end of his checkered course draws nigh, and he summons his sons to his bedside that he may bless them. Among his last words he repeats the story of Rachel's death, although forty years had passed away since that event took place, as tenderly as if it had happened only yesterday; and when "he had made an end of charging his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost" (49:33). His body was embalmed and carried with great pomp into the land of Canaan, and buried beside his wife Leah in the cave of Machpelah, according to his dying charge.
See also History of ancient Israel and Judah, Bible
Initial text from Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897 -- Please update as needed