EVENTS IN JACOB’S LIFE

JACOB was favored by God because he demonstrated deep appreciation for sacred things. (Heb 12:16, 17) Jehovah assured Jacob that his offspring would inherit the land promised to Abraham, and he added: “By means of your seed all the families of the ground will certainly bless themselves.”​—Ge 28:4, 10-15.

Though he was blessed with material wealth and 12 sons, Jacob’s life was not without difficulties. Yet Jacob never lost his faith in Jehovah and the reliability of his word. Even on his deathbed, he expressed faith in the Messianic promise. (Ge 49:10) Among Jacob’s offspring was born Jesus Christ, through whom God will eternally bless mankind.

[Chart on page 529]

LOCATIONS ON MAP With Related Scriptures

Beer-sheba

Ge 28:10

Bethel

Ge 28:11-19; 35:6-15

Bethlehem

Ge 35:16-20

Dothan

Ge 37:13, 17-36

Egypt

Ge 46:5-7, 28-30; 48:1–49:33

Haran

Ge 29:4–31:18

Mahanaim

Ge 32:1, 2

Mamre

Ge 35:27

Penuel

Ge 32:24-32

Shechem

Ge 33:18–34:31

Succoth

Ge 33:17

[Maps on page 529]

(For fully formatted text, see publication)

Great Sea

EGYPT

GOSHEN

SEIR

Beer-sheba

Hebron

Bethel

Shechem

T.V. of Jabbok

PADDAN-ARAM

Haran

Euphrates River

[Map]

Beer-sheba

Hebron

Mamre

Bethlehem

Bethel

Shechem

Dothan

Succoth

GILEAD

Mahanaim

Penuel

Salt Sea

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Beitin, near the ruins of ancient Bethel. At Bethel, Jacob was twice told by God that he was heir to the Abrahamic covenant (Ge 28:13-19; 35:6-13)

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Ruins of ancient Shechem. Here, association by Jacob’s daughter with Canaanite girls led to her being violated (Ge 34:1, 2)

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Step Pyramid at Saqqara, Egypt; evidently it existed in Jacob’s day. Jacob spent the last 17 years of his life in Egypt