How many sons did Jacob have according to the Old Testament?
twelve sons
The latter third of the book of Genesis relates the complex and vola- tile relationship of the patriarch Jacob, his four wives, and their thirteen children (twelve sons, one daughter).
Why does God choose the second son?
God chose the younger of Isaac’s twin boys just as He chose the second son of Abraham and would later bypass Jacob’s oldest sons: to showcase His power, His sovereignty, His work in fulfilling His promises.
Who are the sons of Jacob according to the Bible?
Leah bore him his only daughter, Dinah, and six sons—Reuben, Simeon, Levi (who did not found a tribe, but was the ancestor of the Levites), Judah (from whom a tribe and the Davidic monarchy were descended), Issachar, and Zebulun.
Which of Jacob’s sons received the blessing?
Jacob Blessing the Sons of Joseph shows a scene from the Old Testament book of Genesis, Chapter 48. In this scene, Joseph brings his two sons (Manasseh and Ephraim) to his dying father Jacob so that they can receive the family blessing. According to tradition, the eldest son is blessed with the patriarch’s right hand.
Why did Jacob adopt Ephraim and Manasseh?
Because of the birthright, Joseph was entitled to a double portion of the inheritance from his father, Jacob. Ephraim was assigned to preside, or lead, the family of Israel. Ephraim and Manasseh were each given one part of the double portion of inheritance and became two of the “tribes of Israel.”
What is the birth order of the 12 tribes of Israel?
The twelve sons form the basis for the twelve tribes of Israel, listed in the order from oldest to youngest: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin.
Why was Jacob so special to God?
Along his journey Jacob received a special revelation from God; God promised Jacob lands and numerous offspring that would prove to be the blessing of the entire Earth. Jacob named the place where he received his vision Bethel (“House of God”).
Where are the 12 sons of Jacob mentioned in the Bible?
In the vision of the Heavenly Jerusalem, the tribes’ names (the names of the twelve sons of Jacob) are written on the city gates (Ezekiel 48:30–35 & Revelation 21:12–13).
What is special about Ephraim and Manasseh?
These rabbinical sources allege that it was on account of modesty and selflessness, and a prophetic vision of Joshua, that Jacob gave Ephraim precedence over Manasseh, the elder of the two; in these sources, Jacob is regarded as sufficiently just that God upholds the blessing in his honour, and makes Ephraim the …
What was the sin of Manasseh?
His story is told in 2 Chronicles 33. He was an idolater who turned against God and worshiped every kind of pagan deity. Manasseh was guilty of immorality, he practiced every conceivable evil and perversion, devoted himself to witchcraft and was a murderer; even sacrificing his sons to a pagan god.
What was Jacob’s sin?
Jacob, who had deceived his father, is in turn deceived and cheated by his uncle Laban concerning Jacob’s seven years of service (lacking money for a dowry) for the hand of Laban’s daughter Rachel, receiving his older daughter Leah instead.
Why did Jacob adopt Ephraim?
In addition, both of these sons were “adopted” by Jacob (see Genesis 48:5). Because of the birthright, Joseph was entitled to a double portion of the inheritance from his father, Jacob. Ephraim was assigned to preside, or lead, the family of Israel.
Why did Jacob pick Ephraim over Manasseh?
Why is Manasseh important?
According to Kings, Manasseh reversed the centralizing reforms of his father Hezekiah, and re-established local shrines, possibly for economic reasons. He restored polytheistic worship of Baal and Asherah (2 Kings 21) in the Temple, and sponsored the Assyrian astral cult throughout Judah.