Is there some prophetic significance to the location of Benjamins birth, his names, and the manner of his birth (Genesis 35:16-19)? This, of course, would have been impossible and the text does not really demand it. Jacob lived in Egypt 17 years, dying at age 147 (Gen 47:28). This conflict can be relieved a bit by making Jacob's stay with Laban forty years instead of twenty. The critical evidence for this is not final and is based upon a superficial reading of the text. 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). His story is found in Genesis chapters 3549. This fact will be challenged by some of the suggested interpretations. Jacob's other children are between 39 and 46. Genesis 25:26 WebIf Jacob was with Laban only twenty years, then he was seventy-seven years old when he left home. Inspired by Polyhat and Dottard's answers, here is my attempt. Two of Jacob's sons take revenge for the heinous act by killing all the males in the city. Site design / logo 2023 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under CC BY-SA. He was blessed with many gifts, and he continued to become a great leader of his tribe until his death. It seems strange to refer to a grown man of 22 years as a childa little one. 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. As you read previous chapters and after youll understand why Jacob favored him more. Has two sons in the 7 years of plenty before the famine starts. WebThere is no consensus view about dates. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. He can be found on the Biblical Timeline Poster around 1754 BC. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty. 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. He reunites with his son Joseph after twenty-two years. The patriarch Isaac dies at the age of 180 (Genesis 35:28 - 29). (130-39=91)130 age of Jacob and 39 age of Joseph when they reunite. 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. Was Joseph sold to Egypt before the Dinah incident? On this basis, Benjamin was born about 10 years before Joseph was sold (??) 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. Jacob was 130 when he went to Egypt. 14 years for both the wives, 6 years for the flock. And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's But the text does not read this way. At such an age, a girl might be given adult responsibility in a family that did not (yet) have sons. Jealousy of Rachel, as well as the success of the means which she had adopted, would impel her to attempt in the same method to increase the number of her children. 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. Joseph and family pickup and leave Laban after 20 years of service (14 bridal years and 6 years for livestock). Joseph is sold into slavery at age 17 (Gen 37:2), Jacob is 108, Isaac is 168. These seven years seemed to Jacob "but a few days, for the love he had for her." Thus, Jacob was at least 96 or 97 and Isaac was at least 156 or 157 years old. And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her 1703 - 1692Jacob is between 97 and 108 years old.Joseph is between 6 and 17 years old. Afterwards, all of the sons spoil the city (Genesis 34:1 - 31). Calculation begins from the first year of Jacob's marriage to Leah. It was probably a matter of months. Jacob was 147 years old when he died, Gen 47:28. 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. 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). 1599Joseph is 110 years old.Manasseh and Ephraim (if they are alive) are between the ages of 73 and 80. When Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, he was 39 years old. Was Galileo expecting to see so many stars? It is thus clear that this verse is not from the author of 31:41. Let us look at both sides. As was shown in the question, Isaac was 60 years old when Jacob was born. 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. Thus have I been twenty years in thy house; I served thee fourteen His mother Rachel died giving birth to him. Manasseh, Ephraim are between 2 and 9. Let's say that Joseph was born y2 years after the 14-year contract with Laban. Hence, the brothers rekindled their love for each other, and they were filled with joy that Joseph was still alive. 6For the famine has covered the land these two years, and there will be five more years without plowing or harvesting. Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves. with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came The fallacy of accepting the possibility of two twenty year periods of service for Laban was explained under interpretation I. Thus, Joseph was indeed a child of Isaacs old age (Gen 37:3). Charles L. Zimmerman, Pastor Evangelical Church, Archbold, Ohio. On 2298 AM (1706 BC), Benjamin, his wife, and his ten sons entered Egypt to live. Genesis 47:9 With this system of calculation Jacob would have left his home to find his wife twenty years earlier, or at approximately fifty-seven years of age. He gaind favour both in the sight of God and in the sight of man. Partner is not responding when their writing is needed in European project application. How does a fan in a turbofan engine suck air in? 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. 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. Web16 They left Bethel, and when they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into hard labor. Benjamin was a son of Jacob and head of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them. Thus she would be eighteen years of age when she married. A simple literal interpretation of the text would lead one to conclude that the births all occurred during the second seven year period of service. . Secondly, it assumes that the expression, "my service, " (30:26) need not be restricted to the seven year periods, but may be as well projected to include the following six year period. 152 - 20 = 132 (estimated years of age for Isaac when Jacob leaves home). It is, therefore, suggested that some of the births must be allowed to occur in the third period of service. 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." Adam Clarke, Clarkes Commentary (New York: Lane and Scott. So what *is* the Latin word for chocolate? Jacob was born when Issac was 60 years old. It only takes a minute to sign up. 22Then God remembered Rachel; he listened to her and enabled her to conceive. Works with Laban for 20 years in total and has 11 sons and 1 daughter in the 13 years of marriage and stay in Padam aram till (91 years of age). This event had to take place at least a year before Joseph was seventeen (37:2). . This would seem quite unlikely biologically and would cause one to wonder why Jacob did not keep a closer eye upon such a young girl. Genesis 33: 1-7. Ackermann Function without Recursion or Stack. 17 During her difficult labor, the midwife said to her, Dont be afraid. Dinah is raped by a man from Shechem. Not fair (Did Jacob do anything that was "fair") but possible. 30 Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. 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. I'll express as y1 year, y1<1. WebJacob is 130 years old. 21Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder. Taking 130 and subtracting it from Josephs age of 39 means Jacob was 91 when Joseph was born. rev2023.3.1.43269. But it is, certainly, some evidence. C. F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, Commentary on the Pentateuch (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1885). If Jacob was with Laban only twenty years, then he was seventy-seven years old when he left home. And Jacob said to Pharaoh, The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. How could Leah have borne seven children and have had a barren period in which her handmaid bore two children, all in seven years? (Gen. 42:15, ESV). He even ordered that Benjamin should receive five times more food than what his other brothers were served. 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). Benjamin was a son of Jacob and head of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He ends up working for Laban an additional six years (Genesis 30:27 - 43, 31:38). Thus, Joseph was possibly at least 5 or 6 years old when Benjamin was born. 17 She was having a rough time, but the woman who was helping her said, Don't worry! How can I explain to my manager that a project he wishes to undertake cannot be performed by the team? By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. It is thus clear that this verse is not from the author of 31:41."4. (30+7+2=39years old) It is interesting to note, however, that Rea is not at all interested in accepting this interpretation to help resolve some of the distance between the calculation from ancient history and the seeming Scriptural chronology. The main refutation and weakness of this interpretation lies in the grammar of the text. 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