Topical Bible: Death: Scenes of Death of Jacob

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The death of Jacob, also known as Israel, is a significant event in the biblical narrative, marking the end of the patriarchal era and the transition of leadership to his sons, particularly Joseph. Jacob's death is recorded in the Book of Genesis, providing a poignant scene that reflects his faith, blessings, and the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs.

Jacob's Final Days and Blessings

As Jacob approached the end of his life, he was living in Egypt, where he had been reunited with his son Joseph after years of believing him to be dead. Genesis 47:28-31 describes Jacob's final days, noting that he lived in Egypt for seventeen years, reaching the age of 147. Aware of his impending death, Jacob called for Joseph and made him swear to bury him not in Egypt, but in the burial place of his fathers, in the cave of Machpelah in Canaan. This request underscores Jacob's faith in God's promises regarding the land of Canaan.

In Genesis 48, Jacob blesses Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, adopting them as his own and ensuring their inclusion in the inheritance of Israel. Jacob's blessing of Ephraim over Manasseh, despite the latter being the firstborn, reflects the recurring biblical theme of God's sovereign choice, often favoring the younger over the elder.

The Blessing of Jacob's Sons

Genesis 49 records Jacob's prophetic blessings over his twelve sons, each of whom would become the progenitor of the tribes of Israel. These blessings are both predictive and reflective of the character and future of each tribe. Jacob's words are filled with imagery and insight, revealing the destiny of his descendants and the unfolding of God's plan for the nation of Israel.

Jacob's Death and Burial

After blessing his sons, Jacob gave them specific instructions regarding his burial, reiterating his desire to be laid to rest with his ancestors in the cave of Machpelah. Genesis 49:33 states, "When Jacob had finished instructing his sons, he drew his feet into the bed, breathed his last, and was gathered to his people." This phrase, "gathered to his people," is a common biblical expression denoting death and the belief in an afterlife where one is reunited with their ancestors.

Genesis 50:1-14 details the mourning and burial of Jacob. Joseph, deeply grieved by his father's death, ordered the embalming of Jacob's body, a process that took forty days. The Egyptians mourned for Jacob seventy days, reflecting the high regard in which Joseph and his family were held. Following this period of mourning, Joseph received permission from Pharaoh to fulfill Jacob's burial wishes.

A grand funeral procession, including Joseph, his brothers, and Egyptian dignitaries, accompanied Jacob's body to Canaan. Upon reaching the cave of Machpelah, Jacob was buried with his ancestors, Abraham and Isaac, in accordance with his wishes. This act of burial in the Promised Land symbolized the enduring covenant between God and the patriarchs, affirming the hope of Israel's future return to Canaan.

Jacob's death marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, as it transitions the focus from the individual patriarchs to the emerging nation of Israel. His life and death serve as a testament to God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His divine plan through the generations.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 49:1-33
And Jacob called to his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.
Nave's Topical Index

Hebrews 11:21
By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning on the top of his staff.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Author's Preface.
... Stories about Joseph. Death of Jacob and Joseph. ... Chapter VII. From Kadesh to the
Death of Moses. ... Events of the forty years' wandering. Final scenes at Kadesh. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tidwell/the bible period by period/authors preface.htm

Condemned to Die
... be won to Christianity by the scenes of his ... him cheerful and even joyous in the prospect
of death. ... of faith beholds the ladder of Jacob's vision, representing ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 50 condemned to die.htm

On Our Lord's Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension
... People who could enjoy such scenes as men slaying one ... A. After Christ's death His
soul descended into hell. ... Jacob, when he heard that wild beasts had devoured ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 8 on our lords.htm

The Death of Darius.
... of the case, and to inquire if they might lawfully put the priestess to death. ... had,
in doing so, attempted to admit him to those solemn scenes and mysteries in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter xii the death of.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1812 to the Death of ...
... Canadas, as those places were the principal scenes of the ... Thomas Branch, John Crane,
Jacob Rumph, Jesse Brown, William ... I would not be loved to death, and so ...
/.../chapter 2 from the close.htm

The Death of Cyrus.
... of Spargapizes."Cyrus gives him liberty within the camp."Death of Spargapizes ... great
conqueror's history, our minds naturally revert to the scenes of his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter xii the death of.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... The death-bed scene of the pious broken-hearted Mrs. Badman, is a masterpiece ... to
the times of the slave trade, slavery, and war, will call to mind scenes of vice ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs.
... These, and a thousand lovely and touching scenes of that ... sister, had not God appeared
in a dream, threatening immediate death. ... He had two sons, Esau and Jacob. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/scenes in the lives of.htm

Elijah's Translation and Elisha's Deathbed
... called the name of the place Mahanaim.' That means 'the two camps,' the one, Jacob's
defenceless company ... The scenes at Jordan and in the death-chamber are ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture f/elijahs translation and elishas deathbed.htm

Acts VII
... desired to find a dwelling for the God of Jacob. ... If the infuriated scenes which have
been enacted under such ... own encouragement in the hour of death, and that ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts vii.htm