Topical Encyclopedia Jacob, also known as Israel, is a pivotal figure in biblical history, being the son of Isaac and Rebekah and the grandson of Abraham. His life and the prophecies concerning him and his descendants are foundational to understanding the narrative of the Israelites and their role in God's redemptive plan.Prophecies Concerning Jacob 1. The Birthright and Blessing: Jacob's life is marked by the prophecy given to his mother, Rebekah, before his birth. The Lord said to her, "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 foretold the future dynamics between Jacob and his twin brother Esau, indicating that Jacob, though the younger, would receive the birthright and blessing traditionally reserved for the firstborn. 2. The Ladder to Heaven: In a dream at Bethel, Jacob saw a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending on it. The Lord stood above it and said, "I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie" (Genesis 28:13). This vision reaffirmed the Abrahamic covenant, promising Jacob the land of Canaan and numerous descendants. 3. Name Change to Israel: After wrestling with a divine being, Jacob's name was changed to Israel, meaning "he struggles with God." The being declared, "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). This name change signified a transformation in Jacob's character and his role as the father of the twelve tribes of Israel. Prophecies Concerning Jacob's Descendants 1. The Twelve Tribes: Jacob's twelve sons became the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel. Before his death, Jacob blessed each of his sons, prophesying their futures and the destinies of their tribes (Genesis 49). These blessings contained both immediate and far-reaching implications for the tribes' roles in Israel's history. 2. Judah's Leadership: Among the most significant of Jacob's prophecies is the blessing over Judah: "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 foretold the leadership role of the tribe of Judah, culminating in the Davidic dynasty and ultimately pointing to the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is from the line of Judah. 3. Joseph's Fruitfulness: Jacob's blessing over Joseph was one of abundance and protection: "Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine by a spring, whose branches scale the wall" (Genesis 49:22). This prophecy highlighted Joseph's future prosperity and influence, which were realized in his leadership in Egypt and the survival of his family during famine. 4. The Future of Israel: Jacob's prophecies also encompassed the broader future of the nation of Israel. He spoke of the scattering and gathering of his descendants, their struggles, and their ultimate restoration. These themes are echoed throughout the prophetic literature of the Old Testament, underscoring God's enduring covenant with Israel. Jacob's life and the prophecies concerning him and his descendants are integral to the biblical narrative, illustrating God's sovereign plan and the unfolding of His promises through the lineage of Israel. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 25:23And the LORD said to her, Two nations are in your womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from your bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 27:28,29 Genesis 28:10-15 Genesis 31:3 Genesis 35:9-13 Genesis 46:3 Deuteronomy 1:8 Psalm 105:10,11 Library "The Fullness of the Time" It is a Ground for Thanksgiving that During the Last Three or Four ... The Coming of a Deliverer The Prophecies The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. ) Summary view of the Pre-Existence and Divinity of Our Saviour and ... Fifthly, as this Revelation, to the Judgment of Right and Sober ... The Sovereignty of God in Operation What Messiah did the Jews Expect? Translated from the Greek. Resources Why is Jacob called Jacob and Israel alternately in the book of Genesis? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of Jacob wrestling with God? | GotQuestions.org What was the story of Jacob and Esau? | 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 |