Topical Encyclopedia Jacob, also known as Israel, is a central patriarchal figure in the Hebrew Bible. His life is marked by numerous significant events, one of which is the moment he learns that his beloved son Joseph, whom he believed to be dead, is still alive. This revelation is a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelites, as it sets the stage for the migration of Jacob's family to Egypt.Background Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebekah and the grandson of Abraham. He had twelve sons, who would become the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph, the eleventh son, was Jacob's favorite, which led to jealousy and strife among his brothers. This favoritism is evident in the "coat of many colors" that Jacob gave to Joseph (Genesis 37:3). Joseph's brothers, envious of their father's affection for him, sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt and deceived Jacob into believing that Joseph had been killed by a wild animal. Jacob mourned deeply for Joseph, refusing to be comforted (Genesis 37:34-35). The Revelation Years later, during a severe famine, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain. Unbeknownst to them, Joseph had risen to a position of great power in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. After a series of events, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers and instructed them to bring their father to Egypt (Genesis 45:1-13). The brothers returned to Canaan and informed Jacob that Joseph was still alive and was the governor of Egypt. Initially, Jacob was incredulous. Genesis 45:26 states, "They told him, 'Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt!' But Jacob was stunned, for he did not believe them." Jacob's Response Upon seeing the wagons and gifts sent by Joseph, Jacob's spirit revived. Genesis 45:27-28 records, "But when they relayed to him all the words that Joseph had spoken to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 'Enough!' declared Israel. 'My son Joseph is still alive! I will go to see him before I die.'" Jacob's decision to go to Egypt was significant, as it fulfilled God's earlier promise to Abraham that his descendants would sojourn in a foreign land (Genesis 15:13). Before departing, Jacob offered sacrifices to God at Beersheba, where God spoke to him in visions, reassuring him of His presence and promising to make Jacob's descendants a great nation in Egypt (Genesis 46:1-4). The Journey to Egypt Jacob, along with his entire family, journeyed to Egypt. Genesis 46:5-7 describes the departure: "Then Jacob left Beersheba, and the sons of Israel took their father Jacob in the wagons Pharaoh had sent to carry him, along with their children and wives. They also took the livestock and possessions they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and Jacob and all his offspring went to Egypt." Upon arrival, Jacob and Joseph were reunited in a deeply emotional encounter. Genesis 46:29-30 narrates, "Joseph prepared his chariot and went to Goshen to meet his father Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time. Then Israel said to Joseph, 'Now that I have seen for myself that you are still alive, I am ready to die.'" Significance This reunion not only restored a long-lost relationship but also marked the beginning of the Israelites' sojourn in Egypt, setting the stage for the events that would lead to their eventual exodus. Jacob's journey to Egypt underlines the providential care of God in the lives of the patriarchs and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 45:26-28And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not. Nave's Topical Index Library Jesus and his Brethren Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ... The Story of the Stranger at the Well The Pastor's Parting Blessing A Little Sanctuary The Ascension of Christ On the Departure of Flavian, Bishop of Antioch, who was Gone on an ... Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ; Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ... Lives of Faith and Trust 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 |
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