Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5095 Jacob, life and character of

5095 Jacob, life and character of

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5070 Individuals in OT and NT » 5094 Jacob » 5095 Jacob, life and character of

The grandson of Abraham and son of Isaac, who was chosen by God, despite his personal faults and shortcomings, to be the recipient of the promises made to Abraham. His name means “he grasps the heel”, an allusion to the circumstances of his birth (Ge 25:25-26).

Jacob's birth

Genesis 25:21-26

Jacob obtains the rights of the firstborn son

Genesis 27:36 See also Genesis 25:29-34; Genesis 27:1-29; Hebrews 12:16-17

Jacob inherits the promises made to Abraham

Genesis 28:10-15 See also Genesis 12:1-3; Genesis 15:5; Genesis 27:29; Genesis 28:3-4; Genesis 35:11-13

Jacob flees to Haran

As the result of Esau's enmity

Genesis 27:41-45 See also Genesis 28:5

He encounters God at Bethel

Genesis 28:10-22 The encounter with God at Bethel confirms that Jacob has received the promise made to Abraham, and that Jacob has accepted his role of bearer of that promise to future generations.

He marries Leah and Rachel

Genesis 28:1-2 See also Genesis 29:16-30 Jacob is deceived by Laban into marrying Leah before Rachel.

He accumulates wealth

Genesis 30:29-43 See also Genesis 31:4-9,14-16,36-42

Jacob returns to Canaan

His flight from Haran

Genesis 31:1-3 See also Genesis 31:10-13,17-24,44-55

His encounter with God

Genesis 32:24-30 The change of his name from “Jacob” (meaning “he grasps the heel”, figuratively, “he deceives”) to “Israel” (meaning “he struggles with God”) confirms Jacob as the recipient of the Abrahamic blessings. See also Genesis 35:1-5,9-15

His reunion with Esau

Genesis 33:1-17

Jacob's children

His twelve sons

Genesis 35:22-26 See also Genesis 29:32-35; Genesis 30:3-13; Genesis 35:16-18

The rape of his daughter

Genesis 34:1-2 See also Genesis 34:5,7,13-31

His favouritism towards Joseph and Benjamin

Genesis 37:3-4 See also Genesis 37:31-35; Genesis 42:1-4; Genesis 44:20,22,27-31

His reunion with Joseph

Genesis 46:29-30 See also Genesis 45:27-28; Genesis 46:1-4; Genesis 47:11

Jacob blesses his descendants

Hebrews 11:21 See also Genesis 48:15-20; Genesis 49:1-28

Jacob's death and burial

Genesis 47:28-30 See also Genesis 49:29-33; Genesis 50:2-3,12-13