When is Jacob first mentioned in the Bible?
Jacob is first mentioned in the Bible Genesis 25. When Jacob’s mother Rebekah was pregnant with him and his twin brother Esau, she asked God why her two babies were fighting in her womb (Genesis 25:22 ).
God responded that the enmity between the two brothers was a foreshadowing for the two nations that would arise from it – Jacob would be the father of Israel (Genesis 32:28, Genesis 35:10-13), Esau of Edom (Genesis 36) . Additionally, Esau, the older twin, would become the servant of Jacob, the younger (Genesis 25:23).
Meaning of the name Jacob
The name Jacob is derived from the Hebrew verb meaning “to follow.” Jacob was born clinging to the heel of his twin brother Esau. Therefore, Jacob in Hebrew means “one who follows in someone else’s footsteps” (Genesis 25:26).
Jacob’s intention to harm his brother both by his birthright and by his father’s blessing also earned him the name “Supplanter” (Genesis 27:36).
How is the character of Jacob described in the Bible?
From his birth until his wrestling encounter with God (Genesis 32:24-29), Jacob was associated with deception and deception.
Jacob’s most notorious tricks were perpetrated against his twin brother Esau. Jacob offered his “hungry” brother a bowl of soup in exchange for his birthright as the eldest son, which represented a double portion of the inheritance of his father, Isaac (Genesis 25:29-34). Additionally, Jacob deprived Esau of their father’s blessing (Genesis 27:1-29, Genesis 27:35), which was Esau’s right to receive.
Jacob also deceived his uncle Laban. In exchange for 20 years of service, Jacob persuaded Laban to give him his choice of wages – spotted and spotted sheep and goats – by removing branches from poplar, almond and plane trees and placing them in the watering troughs where the animals came to drink and mate (Genesis 30:25-43).
Interesting facts about Jacob
Jacob’s grandfather was Abraham, known as the “Father of the Faithful” (Genesis 12:1-3).
Jacob and his twin Esau were complete opposites of each other. While Esau was comfortable hunting in the open air, Jacob was content to stay at home (Genesis 25:27). Even in appearance, the two young men were different: Esau was strong, covered with a thick layer of red hair, while Jacob was smooth-skinned (Genesis 25:25, Genesis 27:11).
Although Jacob was a trickster, God blessed him all his life. As Jacob was heading toward Haran, he fell asleep in the desert and dreamed of a staircase leading up to heaven, on which angels were ascending and descending. God appeared to Jacob as he slept and blessed him and his offspring (Genesis 28:10-19). This particular story from the Bible is called Jacob’s Ladder.
Jacob was a victim of deception himself. First, after 7 years of service, Jacob’s uncle Laban tricked him into marrying his eldest daughter, Leah. Seven years later, Laban made Jacob work before he could marry his youngest daughter, Rachel, who had been Jacob’s first choice of wife (Genesis 29:18-30). Laban also tried to cheat Jacob out of his wages (Genesis 30:25-36).
Jacob is the patriarch of the 12 tribes of Israel (Genesis 35:23-26).
What does the Bible say about Jacob?
Hosea 12:2: “The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and reward him according to his deeds. “
Genesis 27:36 Esau said, “Has he not rightly called Jacob? This is the second time he has taken advantage of me: he took my birthright, and NOW, he took my blessing! »Then he asked: “Have you reserved no blessing for me? »
Isaiah 41:14: “Fear not, little Israel, Jacob, fear not, for I myself will help you,” declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Why did Jacob wrestle with God?
When Jacob was returning home to Canaan with his family after his many years of service under Laban, Jacob received news that his brother, who had threatened to kill him for his past deceptions, was about to meet him (Genesis 32:6 ).
Despite sending gifts of appeasement, Jacob feared for his life and his family. He asked God for help and sent his family and property ahead of him to protect them. Left alone in his camp, God came and wrestled with Jacob until dawn (Genesis 32:24-29).
Jacob’s struggle with God is symbolic of his struggle with his inner self. God wanted to enter into a relationship with Jacob, however, he could not do so until Jacob admitted his weakness of self-reliance, deception, and cunning. When Jacob refused to surrender to God, a simple divine touch on Jacob’s hip forced the young man to surrender and admit his absolute need for God (Genesis 25-26).
Meaning and Significance of Israel
God blessed Jacob and gave him a new name – Israel (Genesis 32:28) and with it a new identity. Jacob was no longer to be associated as the crook and trickster of his past: he was a new creation, filled with God’s blessings for the divine purpose of establishing the Israelite nation.
As a continuing reminder of their encounter and his blessing, God gave Jacob a permanent lameness (Genesis 31-32).
How is Jacob’s story relevant today?
Like Jacob, we can enter into relationship with Christ today by asking forgiveness for our sins and declaring God to be our Savior and Redeemer.
By admitting our brokenness with Him, God can give us new life as His children and we can enter into an eternal relationship with Him, full of His blessings and good promises for our lives.
Sources:
biblestudytools.com, “Jacob (2)” Definition and Meaning – Bible Dictionary
christianmeaningofnames.com, “Christian Meaning of Names”
Hebrew.org“Jacob (Yaakov, Ya’akov)”
churchofjesuschrist.orgJacob and his family
bible.org, “Lesson 59: Broken, but blessed (Genesis 32:22-32). “
Madeline Twooney is a Christian writer and blogger. She is British but grew up in Australia and lives NOW in Germany with her husband and their one-eared cat. Madeline has written articles for SheLoves, Converge, and Ruminate Magazine, and is a freelance contributor for YMI Magazine. In her spare time, she gets creative as a special effects makeup artist and dances with Sister Sledge while she cooks. You can contact Madeline at (email protected) or tweet her at @MTwooney.
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