Jacob knows he is about to die. He has a last private meeting with Joseph and he blesses Joseph’s sons.
Jacob – Yaakov
Jacob (in Hebrew Yaakov) was the son of Isaac and twin of Esau. His 4 wives gave birth to his 12 sons who became the 12 Tribes. God changed his name of Israel.
Genesis 37:34-35 – Jacob Mourns
Genesis 37 records the sale of Joseph into slavery by 10 of his brothers.
Genesis 33:3 – Jacob Bows
Esau was heading toward Jacob with 400 fighting men. Jacob was frightened that his brother would try to destroy him and his family.
Genesis 28:20-22 – Jacob’s Vow
Jacob had a dream of a ladder reaching from earth to heaven. God appeared to him and promised many things. Then Jacob made a vow which seems to imply that he doubted God’s promises.
Genesis 25:23 – Two Nations
Isaac and his wife Rebecca prayed that she would conceive. She eventually became pregnant, but a battle was going on inside her.
Deuteronomy 26:5 – The Aramean
The farmer who brought his first fruits to Jerusalem recited six verses beginning with Deuteronomy 26:5.
Psalm 121 – God’s Protection
Psalm 121 is about a solitary individual facing a threat and wondering if there is anyone who will help him. He expresses his trust that God will help him.
Joseph’s Dreams Fulfilled
Joseph the son of Jacob had two dreams when he was 17 years old.
Years later, Jacob lived in Egypt for 17 years.
I suggest that this repetition of the number 17 can give us a new insight into when Joseph’s dreams were fulfilled.
Who is Jacob in the Bible?
I have been asked several times, who is Jacob in the Bible?
This article will answer that question. However, this is not an attempt to write a full biography of Jacob.
Rather, I will look at the basic facts of Jacob’s life and his family.
Was Jacob a Prophet?
During a Friday night talk, the rav of my shul suggested that Yaakov / Jacob was not a prophet.
After his talk I asked him for more details. He told me that since God only spoke to Jacob in dreams, that meant he was not a prophet.