Topical Encyclopedia Jacob, also known as Israel, is a patriarch whose life and legacy are foundational to the history of the Israelites. His death marks the end of an era and the continuation of God's covenant through his descendants. The account of Jacob's death is primarily found in the Book of Genesis, which provides both a narrative of his final days and the subsequent events that followed.Final Days and Blessings As Jacob approached the end of his life, he resided in Egypt, where he had been reunited with his son Joseph, who had risen to a position of great power under Pharaoh. Aware of his impending death, Jacob called for his sons to gather around him so that he might bless them and prophesy their futures. This event is recorded in Genesis 49, where Jacob delivers a series of blessings and prophecies for each of his twelve sons, who would become the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob's blessings are both personal and prophetic, reflecting the character and future of each son. For instance, he speaks of Judah's leadership, saying, "The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples" (Genesis 49:10). This prophecy is often interpreted as a messianic reference, pointing to the future coming of a ruler from the line of Judah. Jacob's Death and Burial After blessing his sons, Jacob gave specific instructions regarding his burial. He expressed a strong desire to be buried with his ancestors in the cave of Machpelah, in the land of Canaan. This cave was the burial site of Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob's own wife Leah. Jacob's insistence on being buried in Canaan underscores his faith in God's promises regarding the land and his descendants' future there. The account of Jacob's death is recorded in Genesis 49:33: "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 indicating death and the joining of one's ancestors in the afterlife. Following Jacob's death, Joseph ordered the embalming of his father, a process that took forty days, as was customary in Egypt. The Egyptians mourned for Jacob seventy days, reflecting the high regard in which Joseph and his family were held. The Journey to Canaan After the period of mourning, Joseph sought Pharaoh's permission to fulfill his father's burial wishes. Pharaoh granted this request, and a large procession, including Joseph's brothers, Egyptian officials, and chariots, accompanied Jacob's body to Canaan. This journey is detailed in Genesis 50:7-9, highlighting the honor and respect accorded to Jacob. Upon reaching the cave of Machpelah, Jacob was interred according to his wishes. The burial of Jacob in the Promised Land served as a tangible reminder of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and it reinforced the Israelites' connection to the land of Canaan. Legacy Jacob's death did not mark the end of his influence. His life and the blessings he bestowed upon his sons continued to shape the identity and destiny of the Israelite nation. The patriarch's faith in God's promises and his role as a father to the tribes of Israel remain central themes in the biblical narrative, underscoring the enduring significance of his life and death. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 49:33And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered to his people. Nave's Topical Index Library Of the Death of Jacob and Joseph. Types of the Death of Christ Isaac; Joseph; Jacob against Simeon ... A Calm Evening, Promising a Bright Morning 'Fruit which is Death' Jacob's Sister Susannah. The Lord of Hosts, the God of Jacob Entire Sanctification in Patriarchal Times. Historical Criticism of Medi??val Amplifications. Of the Loving Condolence by which the Complacency of Love is Still ... In what Sense Christ is [Called] Jacob, and Israel, and Son of Man ... Resources Why does God refer to Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? | GotQuestions.orgDid Jacob placing branches in front of his flock really result in the offspring being speckled and spotted? | GotQuestions.org What is the Pride of Jacob (Amos 8:7)? | 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 |
    |