Jacob got to Shechem, from Paddan-aram, and he camped before the city. From the sons of Hamor, he bought some land where he pitched his tent. He also created an altar to god there, and called it El-Elohe-Israel. Leah and Jacob?s daughter, Dinah, explored the city and met with the girls of Shechem, and the son of Hamor, also called Shechem, prince of the region, raped her. Shechem loved her, and was nice to her afterwards, and asked his father to get her this girl in marriage. Hamor went to speak with Jacob about the topic, and when Jacob?s sons heard, they were not happy. Hamor spoke on behalf of his son, offering Jacob?s group the land to live and trade in for Dinah to be Shechem?s. Shechem also said to Jacob that he could set the marriage present and gift as high as he liked, as long as he could marry Dinah. Jacob?s sons answered them, saying that they could only let this happen if all the men in Shechem were to be circumcised, because it would be a disgrace otherwise. It was a lie, in order for Jacob?s slighted sons to get revenge on Shechem and his family. Shechem was fine with it, and he and Hamor spoke with the men of the city, saying that they could have many of the daughters of Jacob?s large group. So all the men of the city including Hamor and Shechem circumcised themselves. Three days later, when the men of Shechem were still in pain, Simeon and Levi took their weapons and went into the city. The other sons of Jacob joined in. They plundered the city and killed everyone in it. Jacob was disturbed by this, and told Simeon and Levi, the leaders of the attack, that it was unwise to do what they did, offending these peoples, that if they should go up in arms against Jacob?s small group, he shall be destroyed. But they said, ?Should our sister be treated like a whore?? (Gen 34:31)(530)
God told Jacob to go back to the place where he dreamt of heaven and the ladder, what he called Bethel. He told Jacob to make an altar there to god. Jacob told his household to get rid of their old gods, to purify themselves and change their clothes. Everyone gave Jacob their old gods, and removed their earrings, and Jacob hid them under an oak that was near Shechem. On Jacob?s journey to Bethel, god made calamites befall the cities around them, so that they would not be pursued. Jacob arrived at Bethel and built an altar to god and called the place El-Bethel, because it was there when he saw god in his time of trouble.
When Jacob was coming from Paddan-aram, god told him his name was no longer to be Jacob, but Israel. God also renewed his covenant he made with Abraham, to Jacob, saying ?I am god almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall spring from you. The land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you.? (Gen 35:10)(531) Jacob made a pillar of stone, pouring a drink offering and oil on it, and called the place Bethel once again. Jacob and his company left Bethel and were close to Ephrath when Rachel went into a hard labor. She died after giving birth to whom she named Ben-oni, but Jacob called him Benjamin. Rachel was buried on the way to Ephrath, and Jacob put a pillar at her grave. Jacob continued his journey, and made camp beyond the tower of Eder. During Jacob?s stay in that area, he heard that Reuben had sex with his concubine.
Jacob now had twelve sons: those who were from Leah, Reuben (the eldest), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun; those who were from Rachel, Joseph and Benjamin; those who were from Rachel?s maid, Dan and Naphtali; and those of Leah?s maid, Gad and Asher. Jacob returned to his father at Mamre, or Kiriath-arba (Hebron), and Isaac died. His sons buried him. Esau moved away from Jacob to Seir because the land couldn?t support both their herds and all.
Jacob settled in Canaan, the land that was promised to him by god. Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his children. He made Joseph a colored robe with long sleeves, which might have been implying that Joseph wasn?t expected to do work. One day some of Jacob?s children came back with Joseph?s robe, torn and bloody, Jacob realized that a wild animal must have eaten Joseph. He grieved for many days, and after having his family trying to console him, he said he would go down to Sheol to his son. Jacob grew older, and eventually, famine spread to Canaan, from Egypt, but now there was grain in Egypt. Jacob told his sons to go to Egypt (they looked at each other suspiciously) and buy some grain for their family. Jacob neglected to send his youngest son, Benjamin, to Egypt, for fear that harm may come to him. When his sons came back, they told Jacob that in Egypt, the ?lord of the land? accused them of being spies. They denied it, but he didn?t believe them. He had Simeon bound and held captive there, and to bring the youngest of their brothers to him, so that he may collaborate their story. Once that is done he said he would release Simeon and they will be free of penalty. When they emptied their grain sacks that the ?lord of the land? in Egypt let them take back with them, they saw the money they paid for them at the top of each sack. They were all distressed from this. Jacob then said, ?I am the one you have bereaved of children: Joseph is no more, and now you would take Benjamin. All this has happened to me!? (Gen 42:36)(532) Reuben then agreed to Jacob to get Simeon back or his father could kill his two sons. But Jacob disagreed, saying that Benjamin would not go with them, because if he loses all of them on the journey they want to make, they would bring sorrow to Jacob, with no end.
When they had eaten all of the grain they bough in Egypt, Jacob asked them to go buy some more. But Judah said that the man in Egypt told them they wouldn?t get anything unless they brought their youngest son Benjamin. Jacob asked them why they caused him pain by telling the man in Egypt that they had another brother. Their defense was that the man questioned them thoroughly, and they told the truth, and that they couldn?t have known the man would ask them this. Judah asked that Jacob send Benjamin down with them, so they may be able to buy food and survive, and that he would be held accountable to Benjamin?s safety. Jacob agreed, on the conditions that they bring fruits of the land of Canaan as gifts to the man in Egypt, and double the money to pay for more grain as well as the money that was brought back with them last time, perhaps it being a mistake. So all of Jacob?s children in Canaan left to go to Egypt.
Jacob?s sons finally came back from Egypt, and they had news. They also had with them many more provisions then they were asked to get, and many animals too. They said to Jacob ?Joseph is still alive!? He is even ruler over all the land of Egypt.? Jacob was beside himself with surprise and disbelief, but when his sons told him what Joseph said to them, and showed him what they were given to take back to Canaan, then Jacob was convinced. ?Enough!? He said. ?My son Joseph is still alive. I must go and see him before I die.? He set out on the journey with everything he had when he came to settle down, and he made sacrifices to the god of his father and grandfather. God appeared to Jacob in a vision, saying not to fear going to Egypt, and that he will make Jacob a great nation there, and bring it out again. God said that he himself will go with Jacob into Egypt, and that ?Joseph?s own hand shall close your eyes.? Jacob took his whole clan and all their possessions down to Egypt. They were to settle in Goshen. Jacob sent Judah ahead to Joseph to let them know they were arriving. Joseph went to Goshen to meet his father and his family. Joseph wept over Jacob for a time when they met. Jacob said to Joseph, ?I can die now, having seen for myself that you are still alive.? At this final stage Jacob is no longer the ?skilled shepherd? of the Esau and Laban narratives nor the ?fearless foeman? of the penile scene; he appears, rather, as the aged father who is reunited in Egypt with his favorite son, Joseph, and as the honorable patriarch who blesses the people that will bear his name. (633) Joseph said that he would inform the Pharaoh of Egypt that his family has arrived. He said to Jacob, that when Pharaoh asks him what his occupation is, they are to say that they are keepers of livestock from their youth, because ?shepherds? are unpleasing to the Egyptians. They said that when they were introduced to Pharaoh, and he asked what their occupation was. Pharaoh allowed them to settle in the best land of Egypt. When Pharaoh asked Jacob how old he was, Jacob answered, ?The years of my earthly sojourn are one hundred and thirty; few and hard have been the years of my life. They do not compare with the years of my life of my ancestors during their long sojourn.? (Gen 47:9)(534) Joseph made sure they settled nicely, and provided the household with food and supplies. Jacob lived in Egypt for seventeen more years, making him 147 years old.
The time of Jacob?s death was neigh. He called Joseph to him, and made him swear, by placing his hand under his thigh (testimony), to deal truthfully with him, and when he was dead, not to bury him in Egypt, but to do so in the burial place of his ancestors. Soon after, Joseph learned his father was ill. Joseph took his brothers Manasseh and Ephraim with him to see Jacob, and the sick, elderly man sat up in bed to see them. Jacob told Joseph that god came to him at Luz, and told him he would be fruitful and multiply, his numbers would be great, and he would get the land that was promised to him. Jacob said that Joseph?s two sons, who were born to him in Egypt, are now his, just as any other of his sons, but the children of Joseph?s children, shall belong to Joseph. Joseph brought Jacob his sons, and he blessed them. Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh, gathered around Jacob, and he blessed Joseph, and said, ?The god before whom my ancestors Abraham and Isaac walked, the god who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, the angel who has redeemed me from all harm, bless the boys; and in them let me name be perpetuated, and the name of my ancestors Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude on the earth.? (Gen 48:15)(535) Joseph saw something wrong in that, in their gathering, Jacob put on hand on Manasseh?s head and one hand on Ephraim?s. Joseph, placing the hand on Ephraim?s head to Manasseh?s, said, ?Not so, my father! Since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.? (Gen 48:18)(536) Jacob acknowledged Joseph, saying that Manasseh shall become great indeed through his offspring, but Ephraim shall become even greater through his, so he blessed them, ?By you Israel,? (Jacob) ?will invoke blessings, saying, ?god make you like Ephraim and like Manasseh.?? Jacob said he was about to die, but for god to remain with them and deliver them to the land of their ancestors. He then gave them a larger portion of what he took from the Amorites. Jacob then called all his sons and told them to gather around him so that he can tell them what will happen in days to come. For Reuben, being his firstborn, growing in power, shall no longer grow, because he lay with his father?s concubine, in the bed, defiling it, and even on the couch. He then addressed Simeon and Levi together, saying that they were ?weapons of violence?, and that they are to be cursed for their fierce anger, cruel it is, and they are to be scattered in Israel. For Judah he foresaw peace and prosperity, and compares him to a lion, and he shall hold the scepter with his hands and the ruler?s staff at his feet, until tribute comes to him. Zebulun, Jacob said, shall settle on the shores of the sea, and a haven for ships he will be, with his border at Sidon. Issachar, being compared to a strong donkey, shall become a slave at forced labor. Dan shall be a judge and a snake, biting at the horse?s heels so that the rider may fall backwards. Gad shall suffer raids from others, but shall do the same unto them. Asher shall provide royal delicacies, his food being very rich. Naphtali is compared to a doe that bears lovely fawns. For Joseph, Jacob foresaw that he shall remain strong, by righteousness, and shall have his father?s strong blessings upon him. Finally, Benjamin, being compared to a ravenous wolf, shall eat the prey in the morning, and divvy the spoils of it in the evening. After this, Jacob said that he was about to die, and to bury him in the cave of Ephron the Hittite, the cave of Machpelah, where his ancestors were buried, near Mamre, in Canaan, in Ephron?s field that Abraham bought from the Hittite for a burial site for his wife. That is where Abraham?s wife and his self were both buried, and where Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob?s parents, were buried. After telling them this, Jacob bundled into his bed, with his family around him, and died. Joseph threw himself over his father and wept sorrowfully. All of Egypt wept for Joseph?s father, Jacob, for several days.
That is the length of the tale of Jacob, father of Israel. Early in his life he was cunning, and not very faithful to god, but in the end, he died a legend, one that was as devoted to god as any priest later in the bible, and all the land grieved for him and felt his passing.
Sources:
1. Kass, Leon R.. ?Love of Woman and Love of God: The Case of Jacob?. 1999.
2. Hatzpoulos, Athanasios. ?The Struggle for a Blessing: Reflections of Genesis 32:24-31?. 1996.
3. Levin, Schneir. ?Jacob?s Limp?. summer 1995.
4. Elazar, Daniel J.. ?Jacob and Esau and the Emergence of the Jewish People?. 1994.
5. Edited by Metzger, Bruce M. and Murphy, Roland E.. The New Oxford Annotated Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994.
6. Edited by Buttrick, George A.. The Interpreter?s Dictionary of the Bible. New York: Abingdon Press, 1962.
7. Ginzberg, Louis. The Legends of the Jews(vol.1). Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society of America, 1954.
8. Pearl, Chiam. Rashi: Commentaries on the Pentateuch. New York: W.W. Norton &Company, 1970
9. Beek, M.A.. A Journey Through the Old Testament. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1959.
Endnotes
1. Edited by Buttrick, George A.. The Interpreter?s Dictionary of the Bible. New York: Abingdon Press, 1962. p.782-786
2. Edited by Metzger, Bruce M. and Murphy, Roland E.. The New Oxford Annotated Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994. Gen27:2-4
3. Edited by Metzger, Bruce M. and Murphy, Roland E.. The New Oxford Annotated Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994. Gen 27:8
4. Edited by Metzger, Bruce M. and Murphy, Roland E.. The New Oxford Annotated Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994. Gen 27:20
5. Edited by Metzger, Bruce M. and Murphy, Roland E.. The New Oxford Annotated Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994. Gen 27:29
6. Kass, Leon R..?Love of Woman and Love of God: The Case of Jacob.?Commentary vol#107 issue#3(1999):p46(1) -p3
7. Edited by Metzger, Bruce M. and Murphy, Roland E.. The New Oxford Annotated Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994. Gen 27:33
8. Edited by Metzger, Bruce M. and Murphy, Roland E.. The New Oxford Annotated Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994. Gen 27:39-40
9. Beek, M.A.. A Journey Through the Old Testament. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1959. ?p4
10. Elazar, Daniel J..?Jacob and Esau and the Emergence of the Jewish People?Judaism: A Quarterly Journal of Jewish Life and Thought vol#43 issue#3(1994):p294(8) ?p2
11. Elazar, Daniel J..?Jacob and Esau and the Emergence of the Jewish People?Judaism: A Quarterly Journal of Jewish Life and Thought vol#43 issue#3(1994):p294(8) ?p6
12. Elazar, Daniel J..?Jacob and Esau and the Emergence of the Jewish People?Judaism: A Quarterly Journal of Jewish Life and Thought vol#43 issue#3(1994):p294(8) ?p6
13. Beek, M.A.. A Journey Through the Old Testament. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1959. ?p47
14. Kass, Leon R..?Love of Woman and Love of God: The Case of Jacob.?Commentary vol#107 issue#3(1999):p46(1) ?p4
15. Edited by Metzger, Bruce M. and Murphy, Roland E.. The New Oxford Annotated Bible. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994. Gen 28:20-22
16. Elazar, Daniel J..?Jacob and Esau and the Emergence of the Jewish People?Judaism: A Quarterly Journal of Jewish Life and Thought vol#43 issue#3(1994):p294(8) ?p8
17. Beek, M.A.. A Journey Through the Old Testament. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1959.
18. Kass, Leon R..?Love of Woman and Love of God: The Case of Jacob.?Commentary vol#107 issue#3(1999):p46(1) ?p13