Topical Encyclopedia Jacob, also known as Israel, is a patriarchal figure whose life and experiences are foundational to the narrative of the Israelites. His sojourn in Egypt marks a significant period in biblical history, as it sets the stage for the eventual Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.Background Jacob, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the grandson of Abraham, is a central figure in the Book of Genesis. He is the father of the twelve tribes of Israel, through his twelve sons. Jacob's life is marked by a series of divine encounters and covenantal promises, which are pivotal to the unfolding of God's plan for His chosen people. Journey to Egypt The journey of Jacob to Egypt is precipitated by a severe famine in Canaan, which leads his sons to seek sustenance in Egypt. Unknown to Jacob, his son Joseph, whom he believed to be dead, had risen to a position of great power in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. Joseph's revelation to his brothers and his invitation for the family to settle in Egypt is a turning point in Jacob's life. In Genesis 46:1-4 , God reassures Jacob in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes." This divine assurance underscores the continuation of God's covenantal promise to make Jacob's descendants a great nation. Life in Egypt Jacob's relocation to Egypt is marked by a reunion with Joseph, which is described with deep emotion in Genesis 46:29 : "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." This reunion signifies the restoration of Jacob's family and the fulfillment of God's providential care. Jacob and his family settle in the land of Goshen, a fertile area suitable for their livestock. Genesis 47:27 notes, "Now the Israelites settled in Egypt in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and were fruitful and increased greatly in number." This period of prosperity and growth is indicative of God's blessing upon Jacob and his descendants. Final Years and Blessings Jacob's final years in Egypt are marked by his prophetic blessings upon his sons, which are recorded in Genesis 49. These blessings are not merely paternal wishes but are seen as divinely inspired pronouncements that shape the future of the tribes of Israel. Jacob's blessing of Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, in Genesis 48, further extends the covenantal promise, as he adopts them as his own, ensuring their inclusion in the inheritance of Israel. Jacob's life in Egypt concludes with his death at the age of 147. His request to be buried in the cave of Machpelah in Canaan, alongside his ancestors, reflects his enduring connection to the Promised Land and the covenantal promises of God. Genesis 49:29-30 records his instructions: "I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite." Jacob's seventeen years in Egypt are a testament to God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through the lineage of Israel. His life and legacy continue to be a source of inspiration and reflection for believers, as they witness the fulfillment of God's promises through the generations. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 47:28And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years: so the whole age of Jacob was an hundred forty and seven years. Nave's Topical Index Library Joseph the Dreamer. The Trials and visions of Devout Youth Chapter xlvii Jacob and Doubting Souls --A Parallel Chapter xxxvii The Story of Joseph and his Coat of Many Colors Chapter xxxv Chapter xxxiv Ancestors of the Blessed virgin Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ... 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 |