Chapter 49

1      And Jacob called his sons and said, “Gather together, that I may tell you what shall befall you in the last days: – The last days: The Second Coming of Christ!

3-27 Reuben

• The firstborn of Jacob by Leah (Gen. 29:32)
• His name is connected with the phrase, “the Lord has looked upon my affliction.” “Behold A Son”.
• Had incestuous affair with Bilhah (Gen. 35:22).
• It was Reuben who advised his brothers not to kill Joseph, and returned to the pit to release him (Gen. 37:21, 29).
• Reuben’s forfeited birthright (1 Chr. 5:1,2).
• The tribe of Reuben was involved in the rebellion in the wilderness (Num. 16:1).
• Participated in an unauthorized place of worship (Josh. 22:10-34).

Simeon

• The second son of Jacob by Leah (Gen 29:33)
• Name means “God hears” or “Hearing”
• Associated with Levi in the terrible act of vengeance against Hamor and the Shechemites (Gen 34:25,26).
• He was detained by Joseph in Egypt as a hostage (Gen 42:24).
• Simeon is the only tribe that had no inheritance in the land (Josh. 19:1, 9).
• Dwindled in number; sank into insignificance. Moses pronounces no blessing on this tribe.

Levi

• Levi’s name is linked with the root, “to join.”
• He avenged the seduction of Dinah (Gen 34; 49:5-7).
• His zeal against idolatry was a cause of the tribe’s priestly appointment (Ex 32:26-28; Deut 33:9,10; Mal 2:4,5).
• This tribe was exempt from enrollment for military duty (Num 1:47-54, with 1 Chr 12:26) and subordinate to the sons of Aaron (Num 3:9; 8:19; 18:6).
• They were teachers of the law (Deut 33:10; 2 Chr 17:8,9; 30:22; 35:3) and were judges (Deut 17:9; 1 Chr 23:4; 26:29; 2 Chr 19:8-11).
• They guarded the king’s person and house in times of danger (2 Kgs 11:5-9; 2 Chr 23:5-7).

Judah

• Judah’s name means “praise.” (Gen 49:8).
• He intercedes for Joseph’s life when brothers were about to slay him; proposes sale to the Ishmaelites (Gen 37:26,27).
• He had incest with Tamar, his daughter-in-law (Gen 38:12-26).
• His tribe is loyal to the house of David at the time of the revolt of the ten tribes (1 Kgs 12:20);
• Led first division of Israel in their journeys (Num 10:14); commissioned of God to lead in the conquest of the promised land (Judg 1:1-3; 4-21) and made
• David king (2 Sam 2:1-11; 5:4,5).
• Leads to Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5).

Zebulun

• Name means exalted.
• Zebulun would be enriched by seaborne trade, between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean (though it did not actually border the Mediterranean; cf. Josh 19:10-11).
• In area of Galilee, to the north of Issachar and south of Asher and Naphtali, between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean (Jos 19:10-16),
• According to ancient prophecy was to enjoy a large share of our Lord’s public ministry (Isa 9:1,2 Mt 4:12-16).

Issachar

• Issachar was Jacob’s 9th son, by Leah, sekhari, “my hire” (Gen 30:18).
• The prophetic blessing pronounced by Jacob corresponds with that of Moses (Gen 49:14,15;Deut 33:18,19).
• Issachar got the richest portion: Jezreel Valley (1Chr 12:40). Became content and lazy.
• In the time of the Judges, Issachar became famous for heroic bravery in connection with Zebulun (Judg 5:14-15,18).

Dan

• Dan” means “judge”, but the tribe chose treachery, like a snake by the roadside. The Hebrew signifies not only a snake in the grass, but a venomous reptile with deadly fangs.
• In the time of the Judges the first major practice of idolatry appeared in the tribe of Dan (Judg 18:30).
• In 931 B.C. Jeroboam set up a golden calf in Dan.
• This tribe was the first to fall into idolatry (Judg 18:30); slighted in genealogies: names of his sons omitted (Gen 46:23; Num 26:42); name blotted out (1 Chr 1-10; Rev 7); mentioned last (Num 10:25; Jos 19:47-49;1 Chr 27:16-22).
• Associated with false messiah by Rabbis.

Gad

• Gad means “troops; “fortune; luck.”
• Jacob’s 7th son, by Zilpah, Leah’s handmaid and the full brother of Asher (Gen 30:11-13;46:16,18).
• This tribe was fierce and warlike; they were “strong men of might, men of war for the battle, that could handle shield and buckler, their faces the faces of lions, and like roes upon the mountains for swiftness” (1Chr 12:8 5:19-22).
• Elijah was of this tribe (1Kgs 17:1).

Naphtali

• Name means “wrestling.”
• The 5th son of Jacob, the 2nd born to him by Rachel’s handmaid, Bilhah.
• He was full brother of Dan (Gen 30:7).
• Naphtali, like a doe, would be a free mountain people.
• Deborah sang of the people of Naphtali risking their lives “on the heights of the field” (Judg 5:18).
• That tribe settled northwest of the Sea of Kinnereth (Galilee).

Joseph

• His name means “may He (God) add a son” (Gen 30:24).
• He received the greater blessings because he was the prince among his brothers (41:41).
• He was the firstborn of Rachel, Jacob’s loved wife; favored, despised, sold, exalted (Gen 37-50)
• Over 100 ways a “type” of Christ.
  • Manasseh – (“Making to forget”): First son of Joseph and Asenath (Gen 41:50,51; 46:20).
  • Ephraim – (fruitful): the second son of Joseph (Gen 41:52) also adopted by Jacob; blessed before Manasseh (Gen 48:5); became the leading tribe of the Northern Kingdom (“Israel”); (Isa 7:2-17; Jer 31:9,20).

Benjamin

• The youngest son of Jacob, called “son of the right hand” by his father.
• This was a tribe violent in spirit: a ravenous, devouring wolf (cf. the cruel Benjamites in Judg 20, and Saul, a Benjamite, in 1 Sam 9:1-2;19:10; 22:17).
• Notable heroes include: Ehud, who delivered Israel from the Moabites; Saul, the first king (& Jonathan); Queen Esther; and the Apostle Paul.
• The tribe earned a high reputation for bravery and skill in war, and was noted for its slingers with their traditional left-handed action (Judg 3:15).
• Jerusalem located in Benjamin.

Chapter 50

3      Forty days were required for him, for such are the days required for those who are embalmed; and the Egyptians mourned for him seventy days – “The Egyptians embalmed at Jacobs body so it can be taken on the long journey to Canaan. This is the first mention of physicians in the Bible.  The Egyptians embalmed or mummified bodies by a removing the internal organs including the brain and treating the body in a process that required 40 days.  The body may have been soaked in a solution of saltpeter, then filled with asphalt, cedar oil, and spices to preserve it from decay.  Stuffing some cavities with rolls of linen helped the body retain its form and life-like appearance.  Then the body was wrapped tightly in linen cloth (as archaeologists have discovered) so it could be kept in good condition for thousands of years.” Paul B Hoff, Genesis (p. 328)

20   But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive – Cf. Romans 8:28.

26   So Joseph died, being one hundred and ten years old; and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. – Coffin is the same Hebrew word used for Noah’s Ark. Cf. Heb 11:22.

Chapter 46

1    So Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac –

• Both Abraham (Genesis 22:19) and Isaac (Genesis 26:23) lived for a time at Beersheba.
• Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called on the name of the Lord there (Genesis 21:33).
• Isaac received a special promise from God and built an altar for sacrifice there, calling on the name of the Lord (Genesis 26:24-25).

2    Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, “Jacob, Jacob!” And he said, “Here I am.” – Cf. Hebrews 1:1-2.

3    So He said, “I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make of you a great nation there – Cf. Ex. 1:7.

27   And the sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt were two persons. All the persons of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt were seventy – Stephen in Acts 7:14 says there was 75? Stephen is quoting from the Septuagint version of the Old Testament, which says 75. The number in the Septuagint is not wrong, just arrived at in a different way, adding five more sons (or grandsons) of Joseph born in Egypt.

Chapter 47

9    And Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one 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 fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.”  – Jacob was 130 years old when he came down to the land of Egypt, and he will be 147 years old when he dies. Therefore, he will spend 17 years in the land of Egypt.

14   And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found in the land of Egypt and in the land of Canaan, for the grain which they bought; and Joseph brought the money into Pharaoh’s house – Cf. Isa. 55:1-2

27   So Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions there and grew and multiplied exceedingly – Henry Morris writes:

• The initial group of five (Jacob and his four wives) grew into a clan of about 100 in 50 years.
• That is a growth rate of just over 6% per year.
• At that rate, there would be several million descendants by the time of the Exodus 430 years later.

Chapter 48

5    And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine – Jacob adopts Ephraim and Manasseh as replacements?

22   Moreover I have given to you one portion above your brothers, which I took from the hand of the Amorite with my sword and my bow – “portion” is súekÔem a wordplay on the name of the town Shechem. Later Joseph will be buried in Shechem (Josh. 24:32) as a sign that he possessed this land. Cf. John 4:4.

Joseph as a picture of Jesus:

1. Was a shepherd.
2. Loved by his father.
3. Sent to his brothers.
4. Hated by his brothers.
5. Prophesied his coming glory.
6. Rejected by his brothers.
7. Endures unjust punishment from his brothers.
8. Sentenced to the pit.
9. Delivered to the pit, though a leader knew he should go free.
10. Sold for pieces of silver.
11. Handed over to the Gentiles.
12. Regarded as dead, but raised out of the pit.
13. Went to Egypt.
14. Was made a servant.
15. Tempted severely, but did not sin.
16. Falsely accused.
17. Made no defense.
18. Cast into prison, and numbered with sinners and criminals.
19. Endures unjust punishment from Gentiles.
20. Associated with two other criminals; one is pardoned; one is not.
21. The butler – wine -  the baker – communion. Three days!
22. Shows compassion.
23. Brings a message of deliverance in prison.
24. Wanted to be remembered.
25. Shown to have divine wisdom.
26. Recognized as having the Spirit of God.
27. Betrayed by friends.
28. Glorified after his humility.
29. Honored by Gentiles – but still despised by his brethren.
30. Given a Gentile bride before the 7 year tribulation.
31. 30 years old when he began his life’s work.
32. He blesses the world with bread.
33. He was the only source of bread.
34. The world is instructed to go to him and do whatever he says.
35. Given the name “Revealer of Secret Things” “Savior of the world”36. Joseph’s brethren were driven out of their own land.
36. Joseph does not go to his brothers; they come to him.
37. Joseph knew his brethren even while unknown and unrecognized by them.
38. Joseph blesses his brethren without their knowledge.
39. Joseph desires all his brethren come to him.
40. There is a time gap between Joseph’s initial relationship with his brothers and his second relationship to his brothers.
41. Joseph made known to his brethren a way of deliverance through substitution.
42. Joseph’s “second coming” to his brothers has two appearances. Joseph made himself known to his brethren at his second appearing to them.
43. Joseph was revealed as a man of compassion.
44. The brothers repent of their rejection of Joseph with great wonder and tears.
45. Joseph will allow no fellowship until his brothers repent and he reveals himself.
46. Joseph’s brethren went forth to proclaim his glory.
47. Joseph makes full provision for his brethren.
48. Joseph prepares a place for his brethren, and receives them into it.
49. Joseph brings Jew and Gentile together in the land.

Chapter 42

6    Now Joseph was governor over the land; and it was he who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth – Fulfillment of Joseph’s dream (Genesis 37:5-8). Governor is the Hebrew word èélÄLÛ shallŒòytÖ – Sultan is derived from this.

24   And he turned himself away from them and wept – Cf. Luke 19:41.

Chapter 43

30   Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought somewhere to weep. And he went into his chamber and wept there. – Joseph hasn’t seen Benjamin since he was four.

Chapter 44

12   So he searched. He began with the oldest and left off with the youngest; and the cup was found in Benjamin’s sack – Cf. Zech 12:2.

The Changed Hearts of Joseph’s Brothers

• They do not resent it when Benjamin is given the favored portion (Genesis 43:34).
• They trust each other and do not accuse one another of wrong when accused of stealing the silver cup (Genesis 44:9).
• They stick together when the silver cup is found. They do not abandon the favored son and allow him to be carried back to Egypt alone (Genesis 44:13).
• They completely humble themselves for the sake of the favored son (Genesis 44:14).
• They know their predicament is the result of their sin against Joseph (Genesis 44:16).
• They offer themselves as slaves to Egypt, not abandoning Benjamin, the favored son, their brother (Genesis 44:16).
• They show due concern for how this might affect their father (Genesis 44:29-31).
• Judah is willing to be made a substitutionary sacrifice for his brother out of love for his father and his brothers (Genesis 44:33).

Chapter 45

1    So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers – Cf. Hosea 5:14-15.

3    Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence – Cf. Zech. 12:10.

10   You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near to me, you and your children, your children’s children, your flocks and your herds, and all that you have – Goshen was about 900 square miles in the Nile delta. Also known as Rameses.

Chapter 39

1    Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there – Potiphar’s name means “Given To Ra.” The chief center for Ra’s cult in ancient Egypt was the city of Heliopolis (city of the sun).

5    So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field –

• Joseph was 17 years old when he was sold into slavery (Genesis 37:2).
• He was 30 when Pharaoh promoted him (Genesis 41:46), and
• Had been in prison for at least two years before that (Genesis 41:1).
• He was in Potiphar’s house for about 11 years.

6    Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance – Beautiful outline and beautiful view. The Bible only calls two other men beautiful: David (1 Samuel 16:12) and Absalom (2 Samuel 14:25).

9    There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” – Cf. 1 Corinthians 10:13.

12   But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside – Cf. 2Tim 2:22

20   Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison -  “Death was the only penalty Joseph could reasonably expect. His reprieve presumably owed much to the respect he had won; and Potiphar’s mingled wrath and restraint may reflect a faint misgiving about the full accuracy of the charge.” Derek Kidner

Chapter 40

2    And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief butler and the chief baker – The butler (mashgeh), is lit. drink-giver, or cup bearer and was a valued member of Pharaoh’s household. In Neh 1:11 the word is translated “cupbearer.” The baker (opeh) was the superintendent of the bakery, responsible for seeing to it that Pharaoh’s food was good and safe.

Bread and Wine: First mentioned as Melchizedek administers to Abraham (Gen 14); the Baker and Wine Steward (Gen 40); The Lord’s Last Supper (Mtt 26); and, Communion (1 Cor 11).

Chapter 41

1    Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream; and behold, he stood by the river – Joseph was in prison for at least two full years.

2    Suddenly there came up out of the river seven cows, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow – In Egypt the cow was a symbol of Isis, the goddess of fertility. In the “Book of the Dead, the chief scripture of Egypt, Osiris is represented as a bull accompanied by seven cows.

16   So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me…” – Lit. “altogether apart from me.”

34   Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years – A 20 percent increase in tax.

38   “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” – Ruach Elohim

45   And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnath-Paaneah – Could mean: “The revealer of secret things”; “Savior of the World”; “Abundance of life”; “God’s Word speaking life”; “Furnisher of sustenance”

46   Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. – 13 years have passed since Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers (Gen. 37:2).

• Joseph was 30 when he stood before Pharaoh (Gen. 41:46)
• David was 30 when he became king (2Sam. 5:4)
• Levites at the tabernacle were 30 when they began service (Num. 4:46-47)
• Jesus was 30 when He started public ministry (Luke 3:23)

Chapter 37

2    Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers – The grammar implies that Joseph was in charge.

3    Also he made him a tunic of many colors – “colors” – passim – “tunic with pieces or sleeves.”

9    “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.” – Cf. Rev. 12:1-6.

17   And the man said, “They have departed from here, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’”– Dothan was 15-20 miles north of Shechem.

24   Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it – The pit was a cistern.

28   Then Midianite traders passed by; so the brothers pulled Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. And they took Joseph to Egypt – 30 pieces of silver was a price for a slave in the law (Ex 21:32). 20 pieces of silver was the price set for a young boy to be dedicated (Lev 27:5).

35   And all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, “For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning.” – Grave – Heb. sheol.

36   Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard – Officer – Heb. Saris – castrate or eunuch.

Chapter 38

1    It came to pass at that time that Judah departed from his brothers, and visited a certain Adullamite whose name was Hirah – HIRah – “paleface.”

2    And Judah saw there a daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua, and he married her and went in to her – Sua – “to cry out (for attention)”.

3    So she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. ⁴She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan - Er – watchmen or naked. Onan – “strong” but comes from a root which means “to pant in vain.”

5    And she conceived yet again and bore a son, and called his name Shelah – Shelah – “demand.”

6    Then Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar – Tamar – “palm tree.”

8    And Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother’s wife and marry her, and raise up an heir to your brother.” – Levirate Marriage: (from Latin levir, “husband’s brother”) was codified in the Torah (Deut 25:5-10). The role of the Goel (as Kinsman-Redeemer, cf. Ruth 1-4; and the Ultimate Redemption (Rev 5).

21   Then he asked the men of that place, saying, “Where is the harlot who was openly by the roadside?” And they said, “There was no harlot in this place.” – Harlot – qedêshâh “sacred” – a temple prostitute.

24   And it came to pass, about three months after, that Judah was told, saying, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has played the harlot; furthermore she is with child by harlotry.” So Judah said, “Bring her out and let her be burned!” – Later, in the Law, this would be punishable by burning in a fire (Lev 21:9).

29   Therefore his name was called Perez. ³⁰Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand. And his name was called Zerah – Perez – “to break trhough.” Zerah – “scarlet.”    Cf. Ruth 4:18-21; Matt. 1: 1-17

Chapter 34

1    Now Dinah the daughter of Leah, whom she had borne to Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land – “Unattached young women were considered fair game in cities of the time, in which promiscuity was not only common but, in fact, a part of the very religious system itself.” (Henry Morris, The Genesis Record)

2    And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and violated her – Cf. Deut. 7:1-4.

5    And Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah his daughter – The word defile means literally to pollute.

15   But on this condition we will consent to you: If you will become as we are, if every male of you is circumcised, ¹⁶then we will give our daughters to you, and we will take your daughters to us – A ruse.

30   Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have troubled me by making me obnoxious among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites – Cf. Gen. 49: 5-7.

• Birthright
• Reuben
• Simeon
• Levi
• Judah

Chapter 35– Three Deaths

1    Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother – This is where God wanted him in the first place. Cf. Genesis 31:13.

2          Get rid of the foreign gods – See Gen. 31:19

4          So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem - The word “terebinth” means “strong.”

8          ⁸Now Deborah, Rebekah’s nurse, died, and she was buried below Bethel under the terebinth tree. So the name of it was called Allon Bachuth  – Oak of weeping. Three deaths in this chapter. Rachel and Isaac also die.

11         Also God said to him: “I am God Almighty – El Shaddai From a root word which means “breast.” The supplier of all my needs, the sustainer of life.

14         So Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He talked with him, a pillar of stone; and he poured a drink offering on it, and he poured oil on it – The drink offering: Cf.  Exodus 29:40-41, Leviticus 23:13, and Numbers 15:5-7

18         And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin – Ben-Oni – Son of my sorrow.  Benjamin – Son of my right hand

22         And it happened, when Israel dwelt in that land, that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine; and Israel heard about it – See Genesis 49:3-4; 1Chron. 5:1-2

Chapter 36 – Account of Esau

1          Now this is the genealogy of Esau, who is Edom. ²Esau took his wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite; Aholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite; ³and Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebajoth – Adah means “ornament.” Aholibamah means “Elevated Tent” or “Shady One.” Esau changed her name to Judith(Gen. 26:34). Judith means praise. Basemath (bosmath) literally means “Spice Girl.” Esau changed Basemath’s name to Mahalath “sickness” (Gen 28:9).

Chapter 31

1 Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has acquired all this wealth.” ²And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before – Laban and his sons believe that Jacob is prospering at their expense.

19 Now Laban had gone to shear his sheep, and Rachel had stolen the household idols that were her father’s – Teraphim

21 So he fled with all that he had. He arose and crossed the river, and headed toward the mountains of Gilead – Just east of the Jordan River.

30 And now you have surely gone because you greatly long for your father’s house, but why did you steal my gods?” – According to the Nuzi tablets of the 15th century B.C., to have the Teraphim may have meant the right to the inheritance.

47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed – Jegar Sahadutha means heap of testimony. Galeed means the heap of witness.

49 also Mizpah, because he said, “May the Lord watch between you and me when we are absent one from another – Mizpah means “to watch”. This is not a blessing but a warning.

Chapter 32

1 So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. ²When Jacob saw them, he said, “This is God’s camp.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim – Mahanaim means two camps or two armies.

14 two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, ¹⁵thirty milk camels with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals – Jacob gives Esau 580 animals as a gift.

22 And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok – Jabbok means “pouring out” or “emptying.”

24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day -  A Christophany.

26 And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” – Cf. Hosea 12:3-5.

27 So He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” 28And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” – Jacob means “heelcatcher” Israel means “Struggle” or “fight with God.”

30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” – Peniel – Face of God

Chapter 33

14 Please let my lord go on ahead before his servant. I will lead on slowly at a pace which the livestock that go before me, and the children, are able to endure, until I come to my lord in Seir.” – Seir is the land of Edom to the south.

Chapter 28

10 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it – Jacob’s Ladder -  Speaks of Christ Cf. John 1: 47-51

19 And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously – Bethel – House of God. Luz means “Separation.”

Chapter 29

17 Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance – The eyes were an important part of a woman’s charm. And there is a clear contrast going on here between Rachel and Leah. Interestingly the wives of each of the first three patriarchs were very beautiful: Sarah (12:11), Rebekah (24:15-16), and Rachel (29:17).

31-35

• Reuben – See a son
• Simeon – Hearing
• Levi – Attached
• Judah – Praise

Chapter 30

1-24

• Dan – Vindicated
• Naphtali – Struggle
• Gad – Good fortune
• Asher – Happy
• Issachar – My hire (Serving) Reward
• Zebulun – Gift or dwelling
• Dinah – Justice
• Joseph – Add to
• Ben-Oni – (35:16) Son of sorrow, to Benjamin – Son of my right hand

Born to Leah:

1. Reuben– See a son
2. Simeon– Hearing
3. Levi– Attached
4. Judah– Praise
5. Issachar– My hire (Serving) Reward
6. Zebulun– Gift or dwelling
7. Dinah, daughter– Justice

Born to Bilhah, Rachel’s maid:

1. Dan– Vindicated
2. Naphtali– Struggle

Born to Zilpah, Leah’s maid:

1. Gad– Good fortune
2. Asher– Happy

Born to Rachel:

1. Joseph– Add to
2. Benjamin– Son of my right hand

27 And Laban said to him, “Please stay, if I have found favor in your eyes, for I have learned by experience that the Lord has blessed me for your sake.” - “experience” is the Hebrew word is nâchash  . It means to hiss, that is, whisper a (magic) spell. It’s the word that is used in Genesis 3 to speak of The Serpent. He found out from divination.

Chapter 25

8 Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people – See Luke 16

22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord. – Jacob is a type of the Spirit and Esau is a type of the Flesh. Cf. Gal. 5:16-18.

23 And the Lord said to her: “Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.” – Cf. Rom. 9:10-12.

25 And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau – Esau means “hairy.”

26 Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them – Jacob means “heel-catcher.”

27 So the boys grew. And Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field; but Jacob was a mild man, dwelling in tents – Hunter Cf. Gen 10:9

30 And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore his name was called Edom – Edom means “red.” Same root as Adam.

31 But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.” – The eldest son of the birthright received a double portion of the inheritance, but he also became the head and priest of the family and the spiritual leader of the family.

Chapter 26

1 There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, in Gerar – 100 years after the famine of Gen 12.

14 So the Philistines envied him – The Philistines were originally from the Island of Crete and began to settle in this land. They became a powerful people as they continued to settle over the years. The land became known as Palestine, which was the land of the Philistines.

19 Also Isaac’s servants dug in the valley, and found a well of running water there – “running” in the Hebrew is chay – “alive”  Cf. John 7:37-38.

20 But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they quarreled with him – Esek means “contention.”

21 Then they dug another well, and they quarreled over that one also. So he called its name Sitnah – Sitnah means “hatred.”

22 And he moved from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. So he called its name Rehoboth, because he said, “For now the Lord has made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.” – Rehoboth means “spaciousness.”

34 When Esau was forty years old, he took as wives Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite – The Hittites were the sons of Heth. Heth was the son of Canaan and Canaan was the son of Ham, one of the three sons of Noah who settled in and became Egypt and was cursed by Noah.

Chapter 27

1 Then he said, “Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death – Isaac was 137 years at this point but he didn’t die until he was 180. He lived another 43 years after this.

15 Then Rebekah took the choice clothes of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son – The “choice clothes of her elder son Esau” could be the clothes reserved for this special  blessing for the eldest.

36 And Esau said, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright, and now look, he has taken away my blessing!” And he said, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me?” – Cf. Heb. 12:16-17

Chapter 23 – The death of Sarah (The wife of father Abraham) – A foreshadow of Israel’s rejection of the Messiah.

Chapter 24 – The gathering of the bride for Isaac – A foreshadow of the church being gathered for Christ.

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Chapter 23

1 Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah – Isaac was 37 years old at this time since he was born when Sarah was 90 years old. (Cf. Gen 17:17)

9 that he may give me the cave of Machpelah which he has – Machpelah = “double doors”

20 So the field and the cave that is in it were deeded to Abraham by the sons of Heth as property for a burial place – In this cave was buried not only Sarah but also eventually Abraham (25:9), Isaac and his wife Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah (49:29-31; 50:13).

Chapter 24

1 Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things – Abraham was 140 years old at this point. Isaac is 40 (Gen 25:20) Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 (Gen 17:17).

2 So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house – Eliezer (Genesis 15:2). Eliezer means “God my help.” Cf. John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13-14.

6 But Abraham said to him, “Beware that you do not take my son back there – Isaac, is the son of promise, and never once did he leave the Promised Land.

10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed, for all his master’s goods were in his hand. And he arose and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor – Nahor = “to snore.” The fact that Haran is also called “the city of Nahor” may inferred that Nahor settled at Haran (Gen. 24:10, 27:43).

15 And it happened, before he had finished speaking, that behold, Rebekah, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, came out with her pitcher on her shoulder – Cf. Isaiah 65:24.

16 Now the young woman was very beautiful to behold, a virgin; no man had known her. And she went down to the well, filled her pitcher, and came up – Cf. 2Corinthians 11:2

22 So it was, when the camels had finished drinking, that the man took a golden nose ring weighing half a shekel, and two bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels of gold – Cf. Ephesians 1:13

62 Now Isaac came from the way of Beer Lahai Roi, for he dwelt in the South – Isaac comes from The Well of Living Water

Typology

• A father, desiring a bride for his son (who has just been “dead” and “raised from the dead”) sends forth a nameless servant (whose name, Eliezer, actually means “God of help” or “helper”), to get a bride for the son.
• The lovely bride is divinely met, chosen, and called, and then lavished with gifts.
• She is then entrusted to the servant, until she is united with her bridegroom.

Both Rebekah and the church:

• Were chosen for marriage before they knew it (Ephesians 1:3-4).
• Necessary for the accomplishment of God’s eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:10-11).
• Destined to share in the glory of the Son (John 17:22-23).
• Learn of the son through his representative (paraclete).
• Left all with joy to be with the Son loving Him before she saw him (1Pet 1:18)
• Journeyed through the wilderness to meet him, guided by the servant (1Peter 1:3-9)
• Meet the Son on the Son’s turf (1Thess. 4: 16-17)
• Were loved, united with and cared for by the Son forever (Eph 26-27; Rev. 19:7; 1Thess and4:17).

Both Isaac and Jesus:

• Were promised before their coming (Luke 1:70).
• Finally appeared at the appointed time (Gal 4:4).
• Were conceived and born miraculously (Luke 1:35).
• Given a special name before birth (Matt 1:21).
• Offered up in sacrifice by the Father (1John 2:2).
• Were obedient to death (Phil. 2:8)
• Brought back from the dead (Eph. 1:19-23).
• Prepared a place for their bride (John 14:1-2-3).
• Had a ministry of prayer until the bride comes (Heb. 7:25).
• Waits for the bride to meet Him (1Thess. 4: 16-17).