Jacob

Found: Genesis chapter 25v20 - 35v29

Jacob and Esau Born (Genesis 25v20-26)

Isaac was forty when he married Rebekah. Twenty years later, they still had no children. Isaac prayed to God and God blessed them with twin boys. The first to be born was red and hairy, and was called Esau. The second came out grabbing his brother's heel. His parents called him Jacob, which means heel grabber or cheat.

Esau Gives Up His Birthright (Genesis 25v27-34)

The boys grew up. Esau grew to be a cunning hunter, while Jacob stayed around the tents. Isaac loved Esau more because he brought him his kills, but Rebekah loved Jacob more. One day Esau came from his hunting tired and hungry. Jacob was making some stew and Esau, liking the smell of it, asked for some. Jacob demanded Esau's birthright (he was the first born) in payment, and Esau cared so little for it that he gave it for a plate of stew.

Jacob Gets Isaac's Blessing (Genesis 27)

When Isaac was old, he wanted to give his blessing to his elder son. He called Esau in and asked him to fetch some venison. Esau went out hunting. Meanwhile, Rebekah conspired with Jacob to trick Isaac. Jacob fetched some stew and Rebekah helped him put on Esau's clothing. He also wrapped goatskin around his arms to make them appear hairy.

When Jacob went in to Isaac, he thought he recognised the voice as Jacob, but asked him to come closer. Touching Jacob's arms, he decided it must be Esau and gave him his blessing.

Soon afterwards, Esau came back from his hunting and came to Isaac for his blessing. Isaac realised what had happened, and explained to Esau. Esau was very angry and threatened to kill Jacob. Rebekah sent Jacob away to her brother Laban, so he would be safe.

Jacob Gets Two Wives (Genesis 29v1-30)

Jacob lived with Laban for a while, and worked for him. He grew to love one of Laban's daughters, Rachel, and asked Laban if he could marry her. Laban agreed, as long as Jacob worked seven years for her.

After Jacob's seven years were up, the marriage took place. Jacob was happy to finally be marrying his sweetheart. However he was in for a shock in the morning. He found Laban had switched daughters and Jacob had married the elder daughter, Leah, by mistake. After much arguing, Laban agreed that Jacob could marry Rachel for another seven years work. A week later Jacob married again, and worked a further seven years for Laban.

Jacob's Children (Genesis 29v31-35v20)

Because Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah, God took pity on Leah, and gave her children. The two wives competed on this count, and used their maids to increase their children as well. Jacob eventually had twelve sons and a daughter, who were as follows:

by Leah: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dinah
by Bilhah (Rachel's maid): Dan, Naphtali
by Zilpah (Leah's maid): Gad, Asher
by Rachel: Joseph, Benjamin