Topical Encyclopedia Jacob, also known as Israel, is a pivotal figure in the biblical narrative and a direct ancestor of Jesus Christ. He is the son of Isaac and Rebekah and the twin brother of Esau. Jacob's life and legacy are foundational to the history of Israel and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises.Birth and Early Life Jacob's account begins with his birth, which was marked by divine prophecy. Rebekah, his mother, was told by the LORD, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger" (Genesis 25:23). This prophecy set the stage for Jacob's role in God's plan, as he was destined to carry the Abrahamic covenant forward. The Birthright and Blessing Jacob's early life is characterized by his desire for the birthright and blessing traditionally given to the firstborn. In a moment of weakness, Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a meal (Genesis 25:29-34). Later, with the help of his mother Rebekah, Jacob deceived his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for Esau (Genesis 27:1-29). This act of deception led to a rift between the brothers and Jacob's subsequent flight to Haran. Jacob's Vision and Covenant with God On his journey to Haran, Jacob had a significant encounter with God at Bethel. He dreamed of a ladder reaching to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. The LORD stood above it and reaffirmed the covenant made with Abraham and Isaac, promising Jacob land, descendants, and blessings (Genesis 28:10-15). Jacob responded by vowing to serve God and tithe a tenth of all he received (Genesis 28:20-22). Marriage and Family In Haran, Jacob worked for his uncle Laban and married Leah and Rachel, Laban's daughters. Through them and their maidservants, Bilhah and Zilpah, Jacob fathered twelve sons and one daughter. These sons became the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel, further establishing Jacob's role as a foundational figure in Israel's history. Return to Canaan and Wrestling with God After twenty years in Haran, Jacob returned to Canaan. On his way, he wrestled with a mysterious man until daybreak. This encounter was transformative, as the man, who was a divine being, blessed Jacob and renamed him Israel, saying, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed" (Genesis 32:28). Jacob's Later Years Jacob's later years were marked by family struggles, including the favoritism shown to his son Joseph, which led to Joseph's brothers selling him into slavery. Despite these challenges, Jacob's family was eventually reunited in Egypt, where Joseph had risen to power. Jacob spent his final years in Egypt, where he blessed his sons and prophesied their futures (Genesis 49). Jacob in the Lineage of Jesus Jacob's significance extends beyond his immediate family and the nation of Israel. He is listed in the genealogy of Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew: "Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers" (Matthew 1:2). This lineage underscores Jacob's role in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through Jesus, the Messiah. Jacob's life is a testament to God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. Despite his flaws and struggles, Jacob was chosen by God to be a patriarch of the Israelite nation and an ancestor of the Savior, Jesus Christ. His account is a reminder of God's sovereignty and grace in using imperfect people to accomplish His divine purposes. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 1:2Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brothers; Nave's Topical Index Greek 3017. Leui -- Levi, the name of several Israelites ... lyoo'-ee) Short Definition: Levi Definition: (Hebrew), Levi, (a) an ancestor of Jesus, (b) another ancestor of Jesus, (c) third son of Jacob, the patriarch ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3017.htm - 6k Library Jesus at the Well. Jacob --Israel --Jeshurun Jesus at the Well of Sychar 'The Hands of the Mighty God of Jacob' The Debt of Iren??us to Justin Martyr The Power of Ambition. The Heavenly Pathway and the Earthly Heart The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. ) Entire Sanctification in Patriarchal Times. The Pioneer's Influence Upon a Nation's Ideals. Resources Who was Jacob in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel? | GotQuestions.org How could Jacob not notice he married Leah instead of Rachel? | GotQuestions.org Jacob: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Iconoclasm: Destroyed by Jacob Jacob: Charges his Sons to Bury Him in the Field of Machpelah Jacob: Deborah, Rebekah's Nurse, Dies, and is Buried at Beth-El Jacob: Dissatisfied With Laban's Treatment and Returns to the Land of Canaan Jacob: Dreads to Meet Esau; Sends Him Presents; Wrestles With an Angel Jacob: Erects a Monument at Rachel's Grave Jacob: Esau Seeks to Kill, Escapes to Padan-Aram Jacob: Exacts a Promise from Joseph to Bury Him With his Forefathers Jacob: Fradulently Obtains his Father's Blessing Jacob: Given in Answer to Prayer Jacob: Gives the Land of the Amorites to Joseph Jacob: God Confirms the Covenant of Abraham To Jacob: Hears That Joseph is Still Alive Jacob: His Benediction Upon Joseph and his Two Sons Jacob: His Daughter, Dinah, is Raped Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Asher Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Benjamin Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Dan Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Gad Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Issachar Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Joseph Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Judah Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Naphtali Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Simeon and Levi Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Upon Reuben Jacob: His Final Prophetic Benedictions Upon his Sons: Zebulun Jacob: His Grief Over the Detention of Simeon and the Demand for Benjamin to be Taken Into Egypt Jacob: His Grief Over the Loss of Joseph Jacob: His Partiality for his Son, Joseph, and the Consequent Jealousy of his Other Sons Jacob: His Vision of the Ladder Jacob: Joseph's Prophetic Dream Concerning Jacob: Journeys to Shalem, where he Purchase a Parcel of Ground from Hamor and Erects an Altar Jacob: List of the Names of his Twelve Sons Jacob: Lives in Egypt for Seventeen Years Jacob: Lives in the Land of Canaan Jacob: Meets Angels of God on the Journey, and Calls the Place "Mahanaim" Jacob: Obtains Esau's Birthright for Just One Bowl of Stew Jacob: Pharaoh Receives Him, and is Blessed by Jacob Jacob: Prophecies Concerning Himself and his Descendants Jacob: Reconciliation of, With Esau Jacob: Returns to Arbah, the City of his Father Jacob: Returns to Beth-El, where he Builds an Altar, and Erects and Dedicates a Pillar Jacob: Sends to Egypt to Buy Corn (Grain) Jacob: Serves Fourteen Years for Leah and Rachel Jacob: Sharp Practice of, With the Flocks and Herds of Laban Jacob: Sojourns in Haran With his Uncle, Laban Jacob: Son of Isaac, and the Twin Brother of Esau Jacob: The Incest of his Son, Reuben, With his Concubine, Bilhah Jacob: The Land of Goshen Assigned To Jacob: The List of his Children and Grandchildren Who Went Down Into Egypt Related Terms |
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