Patriarch · Old Testament
The Story of Jacob
Also: Israel, Yakobo (Kiswahili)
Son of Isaac, renamed Israel; father of the twelve sons from whom the tribes of Israel came.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
Jacob, the younger twin of Esau, bought Esau's birthright and, with Rebekah's help, received Isaac's blessing. He fled to his uncle Laban in Haran. Genesis 25:29–34Genesis 27:1–29Genesis 28:1–5
On the way God met him in a dream at Bethel. In Haran he married Leah and Rachel and had twelve sons and a daughter. Genesis 28:10–22Genesis 29:15–30Genesis 35:22–26
Returning to Canaan he wrestled with God and was renamed Israel, and was reconciled with Esau. In old age he went down to Egypt, where Joseph was, and died there. Genesis 32:24–30Genesis 33:1–11Genesis 46:1–7Genesis 49:33
Told in: Genesis
Life at a glance
- Parents
- Isaac and Rebekah Genesis 25:26
- Wives
- Leah and Rachel; Bilhah and Zilpah also bore him sons Genesis 29:23–28Genesis 30:3–10
- Sons
- Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph and Benjamin Genesis 35:22–26
- New name
- Israel Genesis 32:28Genesis 35:10
- Death
- In Egypt at 147; buried at Machpelah Genesis 47:28Genesis 50:13
Only what Scripture records. Where the Bible is silent, nothing is filled in.
Follow the life of Jacob
Events in the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here, or open the chapter in the reader.
Birth and the birthright
Jacob is born holding Esau's heel. Later he gives Esau stew in exchange for his birthright.
The blessing
Genesis 27:1–46 · Genesis 28:1–5
Disguised as Esau, Jacob receives Isaac's blessing; Esau plans to kill him, and Jacob is sent to Laban.
The dream at Bethel
Jacob dreams of a stairway reaching heaven; the LORD renews the promise to Abraham, and Jacob names the place Bethel.
More about this event
Places named: Bethel
Years with Laban
Genesis 29:1–35 · Genesis 30:1–43 · Genesis 31:1–55
Jacob serves Laban for Rachel but is given Leah first; he marries both and serves twenty years. His sons are born, and his flocks grow.
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Places named: Haran
Wrestling with God
Afraid of meeting Esau, Jacob prays. At night a man wrestles with him until daybreak and renames him Israel; Jacob calls the place Peniel.
Reconciled with Esau
Esau runs to meet Jacob and embraces him; the brothers part in peace.
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People: Esau
Return to Bethel
God sends Jacob back to Bethel and confirms his name Israel. Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin, and Isaac dies.
Grief for Joseph
Genesis 37:3–4 · Genesis 37:31–35
Jacob loves Joseph more than his other sons. The brothers sell Joseph and bring back his bloodstained robe, and Jacob mourns him as dead.
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People: Joseph
Going down to Egypt
Genesis 45:25–28 · Genesis 46:1–30 · Genesis 47:7–12
Hearing that Joseph is alive and ruling in Egypt, Jacob goes down with his family; God tells him not to fear. Jacob meets Joseph and blesses Pharaoh.
Blessings and death
Genesis 48:1–22 · Genesis 49:1–33 · Genesis 50:1–14
Jacob blesses Joseph's sons and then his own sons, asks to be buried at Machpelah, and dies. Joseph and his brothers bury him in Canaan.
Mentioned across the Bible
Later passages that recall, mention or interpret Jacob. These are not new events in the person’s lifetime.
Later recollections of these events
- Hosea 12:3–4 recalls “Wrestling with God”
- Hebrews 11:21 recalls “Blessings and death”
Later recollection
- Malachi 1:2–3
- John 4:5–6 — Jacob's well.
- Acts 7:8–16
Direct reference
Teaching or quotation mentioning them
Family and relationships
- IsaacFatherGenesis 25:26
- RebekahMotherGenesis 25:26
- EsauTwin brotherGenesis 25:24–26
- JosephSonGenesis 30:22–24
- RachelWifeGenesis 29:28
- LeahWifeGenesis 29:23
- LabanUncle and father-in-lawGenesis 29:10Genesis 29:16
- AbrahamConnected: Grandson of JacobGenesis 25:26
Books associated with Jacob
- Genesis Main narrative figure
A book named after someone is not necessarily written by them. Authorship traditions are shown as traditions.
Themes and study
Study prompts written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
PromiseGrace
- What does God promise Jacob at Bethel (Genesis 28:13-15)?
- What changes for Jacob at Peniel (Genesis 32:24-30)?
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