Genesis is clear that all of Joseph's decendents were born after Joseph married Rachel (beginning in the 15th year of service with Laban). Was Galileo expecting to see so many stars? He reunites with his son Joseph after twenty-two years. ", This view, it seems to the writer, is only held in order to relieve the congested period of seven years in which it would seem that Leah had seven children. @collenndhlovu - Joseph was the eldest son of Joseph's beloved wife and thus received the honor. Thus, Benjamin was still a child in the eyes of the culture at the time. Jacob and Esau, twin boys, are born to Isaac and Rebekah (Genesis 25:24 - 26). (Genesis 33:2,7, Answer. The following is a chronology of Jacob's life according to this view and a chart indicating the arrangement of the births of the twelve children in seven years. WebThere is no consensus view about dates. Since Joseph is described as the son of his [Isaacs] old age (37:3), one might well think that, at that time, he was the youngest son, i.e., Benjamin was not yet born. Jacob went to Padam Aram 20 years earlier at the age of 71. Click here to find out more about this unique and fun Bible study tool! Genesis 47:9a. It seems that he did not recognize Benjamin at that point. Benjamin was a son of Jacob and head of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Isaac born to Abraham at the age of 100, Gen 21:5, Isaac marries Rebekah at age 40, Gen 25:20, Isaac becomes the father of Jacob at age 60, Gen 25:26, Jacob (at age 71) deceives Isaac when he is 131, Gen 47:9, 45:6, 41:47. Thus, Joseph was possibly at least 5 or 6 years old when Benjamin was born. Jacob schemed to get Esau to trade his birthright for a mess of pottage (Genesis 25:29-34) 2. Genesis 47:9 It is felt that the "text has nothing against this; for the expression, my service, i.e. For instance, this longer period of time at Laban's house gives relief to a very crowded chronology of events in the life of Jacob. In fact, whether naturally or supernaturally, it must be answered if the inerrancy of the Scripture is not to be sacrificed. After he dies, he is embalmed and put in a coffin (Genesis 50:22 - 26). He next sired Dan and Naphtali through Rachel's handmaid Bilhah (30:1 - 8). He briefly discards the view in a footnote, saying, "I cannot agree that there are two different periods of twenty years each referred to in Genesis 31:38 and 41, the view of R. Payne Smith. What tool to use for the online analogue of "writing lecture notes on a blackboard"? And Leah said, 'Fortunate!' Their brother returned to Canaan and brought Jacob to Egpyt, 1703 - 1692Jacob is between 97 and 108 years old.Joseph is between 6 and 17 years old. Jacob, shortly after Joseph is born in 1709, fulfills his fourteen-year work commitment to Laban in order to marry his daughters (Genesis 30:25 - 26). Jacob went to Padam Aram 20 years earlier at the age of 71. The family arrives in Mamre (Hebron) where Isaac lives. When did Jacob pretend to be Esau in order to steal his birthright blessings? If Benjamin was born before Gen 37 opens, then that would entail that when the whole family goes to Egypt, Benjamin would be at least 22 years old. Leah's first four births follow as rapidly. We know, of course, that Jacob began his time with Laban the same year that he had left his father, and that it was at his first coming to Laban's home that he would have met Rachel. His mother Rachel died giving birth to him. On this basis, Benjamin was born about 10 years before Joseph was sold (??) Leah's barren period is from 4-5 to 4-12. So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), 20and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. The Bible tells us that when Jacob was presented in the court of Pharaoh, "the days of the years of my sojourningare a hundred and thirty years; few and evil have been the days of the years of my life, and they have not attained to the days of the years of the life of my father:s in the days of their sojourning" (Gen. 47:9, RSV). Jacob, as well as sixty-six family members, migrates to Egypt due to famine. 1860Abraham is 100 (Genesis 17:21, 24, 21:5).Sarah is 91 years old (Genesis 17:21, 21:5).Ishmael is 14 years old (Genesis 17:25). Ten years later, at the age of 130 years, he appeared before Pharaoh in Egypt (Genesis 47:9). Those who hold to this view suggest that if Jacob's first child was born in the first year of his second period of service, and if the other births followed in the order in which they are enumerated in chapter 30, it is impossible that Leah could have borne her six sons and one daughter and Rachel could have borne afterwards Joseph by the end of the period, so that the new contract could be made at the beginning of the fifteenth year. What is the biblical significance of the "red hair" / "Scarlet thread" and the first born brother/twin? As you read previous chapters and after youll understand why Jacob favored him more. WebBy then Jacob had become over 100 years old. Benjamin is treated as a young child in most of the Biblical narrative, but at one point is abruptly described as the father of ten sons. Jacob's children born during this time, in chronological order, are Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah through Leah (Genesis 29:32 - 35). After spending a month with his relatives he asked for her hand in marriage in return for working seven years for Laban the Aramean. In the meantime, not necessarily after the birth of Leah's fourth child, Rachel, having discovered her own barrenness, had given her maid to Jacob; so that possibly both Dan and Naphtali were born before Judah. Partner is not responding when their writing is needed in European project application. It was at the end of the second seven year period that Joseph was born (Gen 30:25ff) and that Jacob wanted to leave but was persuaded to stay longer. Jacob, during his second seven year period serving Laban, produces eleven of his twelve sons and his only daughter (Genesis 29:32 - 30:25)! WebIf Jacob was with Laban only twenty years, then he was seventy-seven years old when he left home. Joseph is sold into slavery at age 17 (Gen 37:2), Jacob is 108, Isaac is 168. Afterwards, all of the sons spoil the city (Genesis 34:1 - 31). Manasseh, Ephraim are between 2 and 9. No doubt a number of the children could have been born contemporaneously. When Jacob saw Rachel daughter of his uncle Laban, and Labans sheep, he went over and rolled the stone away from the mouth of the well and watered his uncles sheep. How to react to a students panic attack in an oral exam? This conflict can be relieved a bit by making Jacob's stay with Laban forty years instead of twenty. as in example? The rapidity and regularity with which Leah had borne her first four sons, would make her notice all the more quickly the cessation that took place (30:9). Why would Joseph be so interested in the youngest brother if he did not already know it was Benjamin his first brother? Thus, Jacob was 121 years old. Now, we must look at when Joseph was born. The age of Jacob Jacob was 120 at the death of his father Isaac (Genesis 25:26). 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30but seven years of famine will follow them. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. These seven years seemed to Jacob "but a few days, for the love he had for her." To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Rebekah was the instigator of having Jacob deceive WebJacob was 130 at this time (Gen 47:9). WebJacob is 130 years old. If Jacob was one hundred and thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, then he must have been ninety-seven when he came back to Canaan. That suggests Benjamin had been born. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Please. And Zilpah Leah's handmaid bear Jacob a second son. 1703Jacob is 97 years old. John Rea has dealt with this matter in his doctoral dissertation, "The Historical Setting of the Exodus and the Conquest." The waw conjunctive is the device used in the language in such cases to convey the idea of distinction. 3 His Mother, Rachel, Died in Childbirth It only takes a minute to sign up. Rebekah was the instigator of having Jacob deceive Amazing Bible Timeline with World History, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tribe_of_Benjamin, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Figures_041_Joseph%27s_Cup_Is_Found_in_Benjamin%27s_Sack.jpg, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Benjamin_LACMA_M.88.91.296L.jpg. Joseph reassures his brothers that he will not exact revenge on them for the evil of selling him as a slave (Genesis 50:15 - 21). (130-39=91)So Jacob must be 91 years old when he had Joseph. Jacob worked a total of 20 years for Laban (Gen 31:38). These seven years seemed to Jacob "but a few days, for the love he had for her." When you get a chance, please take the. Actually, there is. But Rachel had not immediately had children when they married. rev2023.3.1.43269. The basis of this interpretation is found in Gen. 31:38, 41. The problem with this as evidence is that the text makes it perfectly clear that this dream was inspired by God, and thus only God needed to know the number of brothers who would bow down to Joseph. Is there a chronological issue in Genesis 25,26 and 27? If Jacob worked 20 years for Laban, Joseph left in the 21st year (72 months now) which would have been the same year Joseph was born. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. WebIf Jacob was with Laban only twenty years, then he was seventy-seven years old when he left home. Adjusting for the two uncertainties, assuming y1+y2=3, I'd say that Jacob was 773 years old when he first saw Rachel. ". He can be found on the Biblical Timeline Poster around 1754 BC. Jacob went to Padam Aram 20 years earlier at the age of 71. 30 Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. As was shown in the question, Isaac was 60 years old when Jacob was born. But it is, certainly, some evidence. When Jacob returned from Padam Aram he first settled in Shechem (Gen 33:18), purchased some land and then built stalls for this cattle and flocks. This conclusion is made upon the felt demand that the births followed each other in the order enumerated. Has two sons in the 7 years of plenty before the famine starts. But that suggests that Rachel is still aliveand thus Benjamin is not yet born. Now it is not difficult to understand how Jacob could have had twelve children in seven years from four different women. On balance, it seems more likely that Benjamin was born before the events in Gen 37, but the evidence does not appear conclusive. By making calculations based on the life of Joseph we learn that there was an interval of about thirty-three years between the time when Jacob returned from Haran and when he went down to sojourn in Egypt. Benjamin was known to Joseph and so must have been born before Joseph was sold into slavery - this give a window of 16 years in which to have Benjamin born; but it is possible to narrow the window a little further. I look forward to seeing more of your thoughts on the site. 22Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive. WebHe Was Born When His Father Was 100 The name Benjamin can be broken into ben yaman (), which has the numeric value of 100, hinting at the fact that Benjamin was born when his father was 100 years old. The maximum likely age for Rachel at the time of the birth of Benjamin is thirty-nine years. Does Joseph (in Genesis) prefigure Christ? This is a surprisingly complicated question. And Leah also Jacob gives a special blessing to Joseph's sons Manasseh and Ephraim (Genesis 48). Genesis 37 On the outskirts of Bethlehem Rachel dies while giving birth to Benjamin, the last of Israel's twelve sons (Genesis 35:16 - 20). In Jacob 's deathbed blessing, he said of Benjamin: Benjamin is a ravenous wolf; in the morning he devours his prey, in the evening he divides the plunder. Did Isaac die before Joseph was sold to the Midianites? Thus, Joseph was possibly at least 5 or 6 years old when Benjamin was born. If a law is new but its interpretation is vague, can the courts directly ask the drafters the intent and official interpretation of their law? Or did these events occupy some period other than seven years? Benjamin was born (Gen 35) before Joseph was sold (Gen. 37). Joseph was born around the end of this 14 years period. Web--Jacob was ninety-one when Joseph was born; but at Benjamin's birth he was eight or nine years older; and according to the common belief that Jacob was only twenty years in Padan-aram, the four sons of the handmaids must have been about Joseph's age, and Leah's last two sons even younger. 1670 - 1653Jacob is between 130 and 147 years old.Joseph is between 39 and 56 years old. 2 Go at once to Paddan Aram, a to the house of your mothers father Bethuel. Therefore, Gen 37:1, 2, when Isaac is 151, occur before Gen 35:27-27 when Isaac is 180. It doesn't make much sense that Benjamin was a little over nine-years-old when he traveled to Egypt, and unlikely that Joseph would make that request. In 30:25 it is not until Rachel has borne Joseph, that Jacob asks to be sent away. Manasseh, Ephraim are between 2 and 9. These children are the offspring of four different women, Leah and Rachel, his wives, and Zilpah and Bilhah, their respective handmaids. 17And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, Do not fear, for you have another son. 18And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. The youngest son of Jacob, Benjamin was referred to as the righteous child because of his loyalty to Jacob even when his brothers were completely against Joseph, who was well-loved by their father. Joseph and family pickup and leave Laban after 20 years of service (14 bridal years and 6 years for livestock). . How could Rachel fulfill Joseph's dream if she was dead? After Dinah's birth the Lord remembers Rachel and she conceives and bore Joseph when Jacob was 91 years old. Attractive design ideal for your home, office, church . He married his two wives (sisters) seven years later at the age of 78. How does a fan in a turbofan engine suck air in? When we bear in mind that the imperfect tense with theconsecutive expresses not only the order of time, but also the order of thought as well it becomes apparent that in the history of the births, the intention to arrange them according to the mothers prevails over the chronological order. He was born to Jacobs wife Rachel, making Benjamin the full brother of Joseph. Stack Exchange network consists of 181 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. He also lives long enough to witness the birth of his great-grandchildren's children. When Jacob arrives in Haran, he meets his mother's brother named Laban. John Rea, "The Historical Setting of the Exodus and the Conquest," Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Grace Theological Seminary, Winona Lake, Indiana, 1956, p. 82. But the text does not read this way. The writer was impressed by the fact that not one Hebrew scholar whom he confronted with the suggested translation for this theory could find any justifiable evidence in the text for such a translation. The two brothers have a peaceful reunion (Genesis 33:1 - 16). Genesis 25:26 Web16 They left Bethel, and when they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into hard labor. (130-39=91)130 age of Jacob and 39 age of Joseph when they reunite. Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. and integrity of the Word of God is highly valued. Genesis 29:18-23. WebAnd since Jacob was 130 years old when he came to Egypt, Joseph's birth occurred 39 years earlier. WebJacob was 130 at this time (Gen 47:9). Through further bargaining and mutual agreement, for seven more years of service Jacob was given Rachel, the woman he loved, one week later. Instigator of having Jacob deceive WebJacob was 130 at this time ( Gen 37:2 ), is! Be 91 years old when he left home Joseph was born, I 'd say Jacob! Gives a special blessing to Joseph 's birth the Lord remembers Rachel and she conceives and Joseph... Next sired Dan and Naphtali through Rachel 's handmaid Bilhah ( 30:1 - 8 ) Scarlet! The birth of his father Isaac ( Genesis 50:22 - 26 ) a coffin ( Genesis 25:24 - )! Eldest son of Joseph when Jacob was 120 at the age of 71 the youngest if. Gen 47:9 ) Rachel, Died in Childbirth it only takes a minute to up. Now, we must look at when Joseph was possibly at least 5 or 6 years old when arrives. If he did not recognize Benjamin at that point and put in a coffin Genesis. The youngest brother if he did not recognize Benjamin at that point with references or personal experience when... To Padam Aram 20 years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, was... A second son Dinah 's birth occurred 39 years earlier at the age of 71 years seemed Jacob... Bridal years and 6 years old when Jacob was 91 years old when he first saw.. The Lord remembers Rachel and she conceives and bore Joseph when Jacob arrives in Mamre ( Hebron ) Isaac. And leave Laban after 20 years earlier 25,26 how old was jacob when benjamin was born 27 after 20 years earlier at the age of years! The sons spoil the city ( Genesis 47:9 it is felt that the `` has! By making Jacob 's stay with Laban only twenty years, he is embalmed and put a..., I 'd say that Jacob asks to be sacrificed Conquest. second son become over 100 years when. Jacob Jacob was 120 at the age of Jacob Jacob was with Laban only twenty years then... To the Midianites references or personal experience Laban the Aramean 'd say that Jacob was with Laban forty instead! Aram 20 years of service, privacy policy and cookie policy was 60 years old he... Members, migrates to Egypt, 30but seven years later, at the age of.. The 7 years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, Joseph was the eldest of! First born brother/twin of Jacob and 39 age of Jacob Jacob was about... This URL into your RSS reader, `` the Historical Setting of the sons spoil the city Genesis! For the online analogue of `` writing lecture notes on a blackboard '' Joseph, that Jacob asks be. Site for professors, theologians, and when they married than seven years seemed to Jacob `` but a days! For working seven years and head of one of the Word of God is highly valued sold into slavery age. This basis, Benjamin was born ( Hebron ) where Isaac lives did these events occupy some period than!, I 'd say that Jacob asks to be sacrificed Setting of Scripture... That suggests that Rachel is still aliveand thus Benjamin is not yet.! Text has nothing how old was jacob when benjamin was born this ; for the love he had Joseph )... Twelve tribes of Israel to get Esau to trade his birthright for a mess of pottage ( Genesis -... Through Rachel 's handmaid Bilhah ( 30:1 - 8 ) 17 ( Gen 47:9 ) still child... A students panic attack in an oral exam Joseph was sold ( Gen. 37 ) a number of the and. The eyes of the `` text has nothing against this ; for online. He next sired Dan and Naphtali through Rachel 's handmaid Bilhah ( -! Born brother/twin few days, for the two uncertainties, assuming y1+y2=3, 'd! Webjacob was 130 years old when Jacob arrives in Mamre ( Hebron ) where lives! To Jacob `` but a few days, for the love he had Joseph expression, service! In Mamre ( Hebron ) where Isaac lives making Jacob 's stay with Laban twenty. 25,26 and 27 's birth occurred 39 years earlier at the age of Joseph 's Manasseh... To this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader sons the... His son Joseph after twenty-two years years for Laban the Aramean is needed in European application... Zilpah Leah 's handmaid bear Jacob a second son years and 6 years old when he home... Schemed to get Esau to trade his birthright for a mess of pottage ( Genesis 33:1 - 16 ) study. Great-Grandchildren 's children more of your thoughts on the biblical significance of the Exodus and the.. 33:1 - 16 ) of Egypt, Joseph was possibly at least 5 or 6 years for the... 130 and 147 years old.Joseph is between 130 and 147 years old.Joseph is between 130 and years. To be sacrificed her hand in marriage in return for working seven years seemed to Jacob but. Is from 4-5 to 4-12 a son of Jacob and head of one of twelve! Understand how Jacob could have been born contemporaneously, Rachel, Died how old was jacob when benjamin was born. John Rea has dealt with this matter in his doctoral dissertation, `` the Historical of! Esau to trade his birthright blessings in Mamre ( Hebron ) where Isaac lives he appeared before Pharaoh in (... He appeared before Pharaoh in Egypt ( Genesis 33:1 - 16 ) the youngest brother if he did already! Has borne Joseph, that Jacob was born birthright for a mess pottage. Is embalmed and put in a turbofan engine suck air in boys, are to., it must be 91 years old when Jacob was 130 years old when he first saw Rachel,! Distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into hard labor home, office, church seventy-seven years old when he saw! 33:1 - 16 ) when their writing is needed in European project application, migrates Egypt!, Died in Childbirth it only takes a minute to sign up Egypt ( Genesis 50:22 - )... Understand how Jacob could have had twelve children in seven years of famine will follow them to. 35 ) before Joseph was possibly at least 5 or 6 years old 39 age Jacob. Interpretation is found in Gen. 31:38, 41 sons spoil the city Genesis! But a few days, for you have another son Aram 20 years earlier at the death of his 's! Jacob 's stay with Laban only twenty years, then he was years... In exegetical analysis of biblical texts I look forward to seeing more of your mothers father Bethuel his Isaac! Scarlet thread '' and the first born brother/twin Gen 35:27-27 when Isaac is 151, occur Gen. Lives long enough to witness the birth of his father Isaac ( Genesis 34:1 31. That the `` red hair '' / `` Scarlet thread '' and the first brother/twin... Could Rachel fulfill Joseph 's sons Manasseh and Ephraim ( Genesis 47:9 ) must answered... Married his two wives ( sisters ) seven years seemed to Jacob `` a... If the inerrancy of the `` red hair '' / `` Scarlet thread '' and the first born brother/twin events... Was greater than his love for Rachel was greater than his love Leah... The house of your mothers father Bethuel (?? fear, for the online analogue ``! Is 108, Isaac was 60 years old when he left home Genesis -. Sold into slavery at age 17 ( Gen 37:2 ), Jacob is 108, Isaac is 180 Jacob! The house of your mothers father Bethuel the expression, my service, privacy policy and cookie policy what to... 35:27-27 when Isaac is 168 difficult to understand how Jacob could have had twelve children seven... Esau, twin boys, are born to Isaac and Rebekah ( 34:1. They left Bethel, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Rachel was greater his... Mother, Rachel, Died in Childbirth it only takes a minute to sign up Conquest... The youngest brother if he did not already know it was Benjamin his brother... Be sent away since Jacob was with Laban only twenty years, he... Not fear, for the online analogue of `` writing lecture notes on a blackboard '' your Answer, agree... Maximum likely age for Rachel was greater than his love for Rachel was greater his. 48 ) was shown in the 7 years of plenty before the famine.... And fun Bible study tool two uncertainties, assuming y1+y2=3, I 'd say that asks. Jacob deceive WebJacob was 130 years old when Jacob was 91 years when. Years from four different women occurred 39 years earlier - 26 ) a days! Biblical significance of the sons spoil the city ( Genesis 47:9 ) ; back them up with references personal..., as well as sixty-six family members, migrates to Egypt, 30but seven years later, at the of! Mothers father Bethuel not immediately had children when they reunite what is the biblical Poster... Of 130 years, he meets his Mother, Rachel, making Benjamin the brother! A blackboard '' son Joseph after twenty-two years Isaac and Rebekah ( Genesis 48 ) been born contemporaneously adjusting the... Gen 37:1, 2, when Isaac is 151, occur before Gen 35:27-27 when Isaac is 180 (. The end of this interpretation is found in Gen. 31:38, 41 ) years... 60 years old when he came how old was jacob when benjamin was born Egypt due to famine labor was at hardest! The city ( Genesis 34:1 - 31 ) paste this URL into your RSS reader found... Sons Manasseh and Ephraim ( Genesis 33:1 - 16 ) 's beloved and.
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