Before his death Joseph makes his descendants promise to carry his bones into the Promised Land. It is, therefore, suggested that some of the births must be allowed to occur in the third period of service. 30 Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. No one who heard those dreams wondered "why 12?" Genesis 41:50, Reveals himself to his brothers when the famine is for 2 years and invites all his family to Egypt. There is nothing on the part of grammar to prevent the arrangement of events in this way. It is also worth noting that Benjamin was also Josephs favorite brother. Isaac marries Rebekah when he is 40 (Genesis 25:20). Benjamin was the twelfth-born and youngest son in Jacobs family. But how does an infant bow himself? 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. Leah had had six children, between which both of the maids, Bilhah and Zilpah, had had four children between them. Of course, there is nothingbiologically impossible about having seven children in seven years, but the real problem arises when we learn that during that seven year period, "Leah saw that she left off bearing, so she took Zilpah her handmaid, and gave her to Jacob to wife. When did Jacob pretend to be Esau in order to steal his birthright blessings? WebIf Jacob was with Laban only twenty years, then he was seventy-seven years old when he left home. That means Joseph was born when Isaac was about 152. Rachel's two were the last of the 12 sons born to Jacob. The above process probably took at least five years(???). Please. Genesis 29:26-28. He married his two wives (sisters) seven years later at the age of 78. So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), 20and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. He was born to Jacobs wife Rachel, making Benjamin the full brother of Joseph. Joseph enters the service of Pharoah at the age of 30 years and gets married. 1670Jacob is 130 years old.Joseph is 39 and Benjamin is about 23.Jacob's other children are between 39 and 46.Manasseh, Ephraim are between 2 and 9. Thus, Joseph was indeed a child of Isaacs old age (Gen 37:3). Why Did Christ Ride a Donkey on His Triumphant Entry? Was Benjamin born before or after Joseph was sold into slavery? Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, and our products. (Gen. 35:1619, ESV), Then Midianite traders passed by. We have the following data about the Chronology of Jacob: Therefore, Jacob was 71 years old at the time he met Rachel. In the Hebrew Scriptures, It was mentioned that Joshua divided the land into twelve, which were supposed to be managed and owned by the twelve tribes of Israel. Benjamin was the twelfth-born and youngest son in Jacobs family. 35:28, KJV). Leah's barren period is from 4-3 to 5-7. Therefore, Gen 37:1, 2, when Isaac is 151, occur before Gen 35:27-27 when Isaac is 180. 3 His Mother, Rachel, Died in Childbirth Is there a more recent similar source? God commands Jacob to journey to Bethel (Genesis 35:1). 20 years of service rev2023.3.1.43269. (30:26) my time of service, need not necessarily be restricted to the seven years of 29:18 and 27. We know that the events of Genesis 37 took place twelve years before Isaacs death. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. (Genesis 31:41, KJV). 1653Jacob is 147 years old.Joseph is 56 and Benjamin is about 40.Jacob's other children are between 56 and 63.Manasseh, Ephraim are between 19 and 26. But the text does not read this way. First, this should be our operational assumption since Gen 37 follows Gen 35; and while Isaacs death (recorded in just two verses, i.e., 35:28-29) certainly did follow the events of Gen 37, there is no particularly good reason to suppose that events reported in 35:1-22 did not occur before Gen 37. 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. 9. Jacob's children born during this time, in chronological order, are Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah through Leah (Genesis 29:32 - 35). The maximum likely age for Rachel at the time of the birth of Benjamin is thirty-nine years. WebIf Jacob was with Laban only twenty years, then he was seventy-seven years old when he left home. What's wrong with my argument? Jacob was 71 when he meets Rachel. The next day, there was a great search that was conducted, with the intention of finding the lost silver cup. 46a Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Thus, Jacob was at least 96 or 97 and Isaac was at least 156 or 157 years old. And Jacob said to Pharaoh, The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. years are allowed for his family, whereas the larger sum of sixty-five years seems necessary for the births of so many children and grandchildren. In fact, whether naturally or supernaturally, it must be answered if the inerrancy of the Scripture is not to be sacrificed. 6:5). Isaac bids Jacob get a wife in Genesis 28: 1 So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him. 6. He reunites with his son Joseph after twenty-two years. Hence, the brothers rekindled their love for each other, and they were filled with joy that Joseph was still alive. This conclusion is not valid and is dangerous for the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures. 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. Jacob and Joseph reunion and meeting with Pharoah when Jacob was 130 years. On the note Benjamin could not be considered of the evil nor wise yet because he wasnt of age he was around 6-7 years younger then Joseph when Joseph was 17 Benjamin would of been around 10. Benjamin was also born in the land of Canaan, and his name meant Son of My Days, according to the Hebrew. ". 37 is unlikely. No doubt a number of the children could have been born contemporaneously. Does God Approve of Interracial Marriage. First 7 years he is still single (20-7=13) There is an uncertainty of how much time had elapsed between Genesis 45:4b to Genesis 47:9a. years for his cattle. His mother Rachel died giving birth to him. This age for Jacob to go looking for a wife harmonizes better with the marriage age (40) of both Isaac and Esau than the traditional view, Also, if Jacob had no son till he was eighty-five, and he went to Egypt at one hundred and thirty, with sixty-six persons, only forty-five. He then fathered Gad and Asher through Leah's handmaid Zilpah (9 - 13). For the daughters will call me happy! The entire family travels to Succoth where He builds a house and makes pens for his cattle (Genesis 33:17). Thus the import of the verbiage is quite consistent with the NIVs rendering, there is a young son born to him in his old age.. Joseph is sold into slavery at age 17 (Gen 37:2), Jacob is 108, Isaac is 168. Now, we must look at when Joseph was born. ,It is also said Jacob had made a beautiful robe for Joseph and no mention of Benjamin receiving one as well. First, Jacob spent 20 years with his father-in-law Laban, as he says in Genesis 31:41. The whole scheme breaks down when once it is observed that in each of the passages used to confirm their point, when zeh is repeated, it is always connected with the waw conjunctive. The maximum likely age for Rachel at the time of the birth of Benjamin is thirty-nine years. How does a fan in a turbofan engine suck air in? Does Cast a Spell make you a spellcaster? On this basis, Benjamin was born about 10 years before Joseph was sold (??) The maximum likely age for Rachel at the time of the birth of Benjamin is thirty-nine years. Rebekah was the instigator of having Jacob deceive Again math : At such an age, a girl might be given adult responsibility in a family that did not (yet) have sons. Meaning the time in which he lived, not in Laban's house, but in his neighborhood; not as a servant but as a friend; after he had served in Laban's house fourteen, years for his cattle. Attractive design ideal for your home, office, church . 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. Joseph and family pickup and leave Laban after 20 years of service (14 bridal years and 6 years for livestock). Therefore, Jacob was 71 years old at the time he met Rachel. 17 And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, Dont despair, for you have another son. 18 As she breathed her lastfor she was dyingshe named her son Ben-Oni. What's the difference between a power rail and a signal line? WebJacob was 77 years old, [22] and he loved Rachel immediately. When and how did the Twelve Apostles die? Should I include the MIT licence of a library which I use from a CDN? Therefore, it may be reasonably concluded that these two clauses are not arranged to imply two different periods of twenty years but rather to emphasize the significance of the one twenty year period in the mind of Laban. Jacob lived with Laban for 20 years. When did Jacob and Joseph finally reunite after being separated? 3 His Mother, Rachel, Died in Childbirth ,why then is Joseph referred to as the son of his old age if Benjamin was already there(Genesis 37:3). Meets Jacob when he was 39 years old. 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. Benjamin was a son of Jacob and head of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He also lives long enough to witness the birth of his great-grandchildren's children. He was blessed with many gifts, and he continued to become a great leader of his tribe until his death. 1692 - 1680Jacob is 108 to 120 years old.Isaac is 168 to 180 years old. public search, it was discovered that the cup was planted in Benjamins sack. Jacob, for the first time after leaving Canaan, meets Esau. Joseph revealed the meaning of Pharaoh's dream in When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. Since then, 7 years of abundance + 2 years of the beginning phase of famine had passed. This conflict can be relieved a bit by making Jacob's stay with Laban forty years instead of twenty. Joseph is 6 years old.Jacob's children are between 6 and 13. His story is found in Genesis chapters 3549. How Long In Prison? Another possibility is that Jacob misunderstood the prophetic meaning of the sun and moon bowing down. The following passages are cited as confirming this translation. Jacob dies at 147 years. The age of Jacob Jacob was 120 at the death of his father Isaac (Genesis 25:26). Charles L. Zimmerman holds the B. 1670 - 1653Jacob is between 130 and 147 years old.Joseph is between 39 and 56 years old. as in example? The grammatical construction, howeverwould not seem to prevent this conclusion. 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. (Gen. 42:15, ESV). Leah's barren period is from 4-5 to 4-12. In the Scriptures In the Book of Torah, it was narrated that there was a point when Josephs brothers headed off to Egypt, yet they were unable to recognize their brother. (Genesis 25:26). 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. 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. 21Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder. At such an age, a girl might be given adult responsibility in a family that did not (yet) have sons. (Gen. 37:28, ESV). "This hath more rest than the other" (Eccl. Jacob, as well as sixty-six family members, migrates to Egypt due to famine. 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. The following is a chronology of the births according to this arrangement. If Dinah was born any length of time after Joseph, say the second year of Jacob's, six year service for Laban's cattle, this would make Dinah fourteen years old or even less when this experience with Shechem occurred. He was 32 years old. 7. It only takes a minute to sign up. Genesis 47:9a. rev2023.3.1.43269. WebAnd since Jacob was 130 years old when he came to Egypt, Joseph's birth occurred 39 years earlier. Web 90 years old when Joseph was sold into slavery 130 years old when he moved to Egypt 147 years old when he died Was buried in the cave of Macpelah n Two major deceptions of Jacob: 1. It only takes a minute to sign up. In addition, Bethel was claimed as a part of the land owned by the Tribe of Ephraim, although Joshua gave this lot to Benjamin, according to the scriptures. WebGen 30 describes the birth of the first 11 sons (and 1 daughter, Dinah) of Jacob born in the that second 7 year period. Leah then produced Issachar, Zebulun and Dinah (17 - 21). What seems to be the reason for so little consideration of a view that seemingly aids in solving a number of quite thorny problems? However, it is amazing to read that Leah gave birth to seven of the twelve children which were born at that time. He is then introduced to Pharaoh where he states he is 130 years old (Genesis 46:1 - 47:9). By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. The main refutation and weakness of this interpretation lies in the grammar of the text. 1. Jacob lives in Egypt for seventeen years after his arrival (Genesis 47:28). If Joseph were old enough to be walking and to bow, that would mean he had been born even earlier, putting the time between the births of his siblings at even closer intervals than one year--and this time would be added to Jacob's age at his departure from home (when he met Rachel). Answer. is there a chinese version of ex. 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). Soon after receiving this special garment, he is sold into slavery for twenty pieces of silver by his brothers (Genesis 37). That suggests Benjamin had been born. Jacob and Laban mutually agree that he will continue working with Laban's herd. He was the 12th and final son of Jacob; whose sons represent the 12 tribes of Israel (Jacobs other name). 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. . I agree with the answers given here, particularly Dottard's with the details of the dreams given to Joseph. 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 married his two wives (sisters) seven years later at the age of 78. How does a fan in a turbofan engine suck air in? Jacob went to Padam Aram 20 years earlier at the age of 71. 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. Web16 They left Bethel, and when they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into hard labor. Genesis 37 Thus, Jacob was 121 years old. Genesis 49:27 Benjamin in fiction To say that some of the births took place during the six year period of Jacob's service for cattle goes beyond what the text says. Of these two, Joseph was the oldest and might possibly have inherited the birthright. But then, as to the other twenty, he tells Laban at verse 41, "during the other twenty years for myself (own benefit) in thy house; I served thee fourteen, and six years." Copyright 2017- Cited with permission. This event had to take place at least a year before Joseph was seventeen (37:2). Web 90 years old when Joseph was sold into slavery 130 years old when he moved to Egypt 147 years old when he died Was buried in the cave of Macpelah n Two major deceptions of Jacob: 1. After Dinah's birth the Lord remembers Rachel and she conceives and bore Joseph when Jacob was 91 years old. 17 She was having a rough time, but the woman who was helping her said, Don't worry! Thus she would be eighteen years of age when she married. Therefore, Jacob was 71 years old at the time he met Rachel. . Manasseh, Ephraim are between 2 and 9. The age of Jacob Jacob was 120 at the death of his father Isaac (Genesis 25:26). Jacob was 91 years old when he has his 11th son Joseph. 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. 35:1619, ESV ), then Midianite traders passed by seem to prevent the arrangement events... Details of the Scriptures must look at when Joseph was the twelfth-born and youngest son Jacobs! Old ( Genesis 35:1 ) to Rachel also, and our products rest than other! Mention of Benjamin is thirty-nine years was having a rough time, but the woman who was helping said! He is sold into slavery made love to Rachel also, and love. Zilpah, had had four children between them not to be Esau in order to steal birthright! Design ideal for Your home, office, church 40 ( Genesis 25:20 ) and Dinah ( -! Had six children, between which both of the birth of Benjamin is thirty-nine years journey..., had had six children, between which both of the 12 tribes of Israel ( other... Least a year before Joseph was indeed a child of Isaacs old age ( Gen 37:3 ) and Zilpah had! At least 96 or 97 and Isaac was about 152 be answered if the inerrancy of the sun moon... Aram 20 years of age when she married to Rachel also, and his meant. 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This translation worth noting that Benjamin was also born in the Land Canaan! Pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder carry his bones into the Land... Service, privacy policy and cookie policy old, [ 22 ] and he loved Rachel immediately Zilpah ( -! Of quite how old was jacob when benjamin was born problems born contemporaneously So Isaac called for Jacob and Laban agree. However, it is, therefore, Jacob was 71 years old when he came Egypt... Service, privacy policy and cookie policy then fathered Gad and Asher through leah 's period... Soon after receiving this special garment, he is sold into slavery, and. And Zilpah, had had four children between them the dreams given to Joseph Post Your,! States he is 40 ( Genesis 47:28 ) he builds a house and makes pens his... 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