Such an estimate would mean that Joseph would have been an infant, perhaps only a newborn, when Jacob returned to his homeland and met his brother Esau. 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. 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. I would add that Benjamin may have been small still when Joseph was sold, because he did have to ask his brothers, when seeing Benjamin, if this was the younger brother they had talked about. Joseph, after thirteen years of various trials and troubles, correctly interprets Pharaoh's dream as symbolizing seven years of bountiful harvests followed by seven years of famine (Genesis 41:1 - 36). During what period did he father twelve children? WebThere is no consensus view about dates. Genesis 37 His mother Rachel died giving birth to him. Once he arrives in the area, the Lord blesses him and reiterates his new name is Israel (verses 9 - 15). Genesis 47:9 Jacob dies at 147 years. And he worked for Laban another seven years. Taking 130 and subtracting it from Josephs age of 39 means Jacob was 91 when Joseph was born. Therefore, Gen 37:1, 2, when Isaac is 151, occur before Gen 35:27-27 when Isaac is 180. Genesis is clear that all of Joseph's decendents were born after Joseph married Rachel (beginning in the 15th year of service with Laban). This, of course, would have been impossible and the text does not really demand it. Thoughts? Laban agreed to the arrangement. Jacob and Laban mutually agree that he will continue working with Laban's herd. (Gen. 37:28, ESV). Calculation begins from the first year of Jacob's marriage to Leah. 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. In Genesis 2:24 does "leave his father and mother" mean that men should not live in extended families? 4b Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves. Hence, Joseph was born to Jacob at the age of 91 just as he returned from Padam Aram. 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. Would it have been possible to give Joseph the robe and leave out Benjamin. Joseph sold to midianites at the age of 17years. Joseph is 39 and Benjamin is about 23. [ b] Read full chapter. Ten years later, at the age of 130 years, he appeared before Pharaoh in Egypt (Genesis 47:9). The same dream also provides evidence on the other side. Is email scraping still a thing for spammers, Theoretically Correct vs Practical Notation, Integral with cosine in the denominator and undefined boundaries. Does Cast a Spell make you a spellcaster? Was Galileo expecting to see so many stars? Now it is not difficult to understand how Jacob could have had twelve children in seven years from four different women. For the daughters will call me happy! It is the pillar of Rachels tomb, which is there to this day. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. This conflict can be relieved a bit by making Jacob's stay with Laban forty years instead of twenty. The maximum likely age for Rachel at the time of the birth of Benjamin is thirty-nine years. It may be granted that this is not a problem of great theological significance, but nevertheless it dare not be overlooked if the authority. WebJacob was 77 years old, [22] and he loved Rachel immediately. 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. Why would Joseph be so interested in the youngest brother if he did not already know it was Benjamin his first brother? Therefore, Jacob was 71 years old at the time he met Rachel. and another dieth" (Job 21:23,25). 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. After entering into a proposal of marriage with Rachel, he works for 7 years(Bride price for Rachel) Gets married to Leah instead. 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. Then there is the problem of harmonizing the dates of the patriarchs with the exodus. Jacob seems to be in the prime of his strength at this point in his life. Isaac bids Jacob get a wife in Genesis 28: 1 So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him. How Long Was Joseph In Potiphars House? [ b] Read full chapter. The age of Jacob Jacob was 120 at the death of his father Isaac (Genesis 25:26). 17 She was having a rough time, but the woman who was helping her said, Don't worry! WebThere is no consensus view about dates. I agree with the answers given here, particularly Dottard's with the details of the dreams given to Joseph. He reunites with his son Joseph after twenty-two years. By clicking Accept all cookies, you agree Stack Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in accordance with our Cookie Policy. 1703Jacob is 97 years old. 17 During her difficult labor, the midwife said to her, Dont be afraid. Was 130 years when he greeted Pharaoh and lived in Egypt for 17years and died at the age of 147years. WebGen 30 describes the birth of the first 11 sons (and 1 daughter, Dinah) of Jacob born in the that second 7 year period. Applications of super-mathematics to non-super mathematics. 28 So when the Midianite merchants came by, his brothers pulled Joseph up out of the cistern and sold him for twenty shekels[b] of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt. When and how did the Twelve Apostles die? as possible one after the other. He was the 12th and final son of Jacob; whose sons represent the 12 tribes of Israel (Jacobs other name). God commands Jacob, after twenty years of serving Laban, to leave him and travel back to his family in Canaan (Genesis 31:3). Jacob's other children are between 39 and 46. This conflict can be relieved a bit by making Jacob's stay with Laban forty years instead of twenty. It only takes a minute to sign up. God commands Jacob to journey to Bethel (Genesis 35:1). 14 years for both the wives, 6 years for the flock. Benjamin was a son of Jacob and head of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Rachel's two were the last of the 12 sons born to Jacob. Did Jacob acquire all his wealth in Paddan Aram in the last 6 years of working for Laban? Jacob, as well as sixty-six family members, migrates to Egypt due to famine. Thus, Joseph was possibly at least 5 or 6 years old when Benjamin was born. 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. Why didn't Dinah's name carry any attachment or prophetic meaning in Genesis 30:21? 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). Moreover, Leah herself may have conceived again before the birth of her handmaid's second son and may have given birth to her last two sons and her daughter, Dinah, in the fifth, sixth, and seventh years of their marriage. At that time Joseph had been second in command over the land of Egypt for nine years (Genesis 45:11). Joseph has his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, during the seven years of plenty that came upon the land before it experienced seven years of famine (Genesis 41:50 - 53). They took Joseph to Egypt. WebBy then Jacob had become over 100 years old. The following is an arrangement of the chronology of Jacob's life according to this view: . . Four of the births took place during the last seven year period of service for Jacobs wives and the remaining births occurred during the six year period of service for Jacobs flocks. So Jacob was 71 when he met Rachel and entered Labans service. Jacob then says to Laban, his father-in-law, "Send me away, that I may go into my own place and to my country. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. +1. 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. Jacob, at Penuel, wrestles with "a man" all night long who is Jesus Christ manifested in the flesh. After spending a month with his relatives he asked for her hand in marriage in return for working seven years for Laban the Aramean. 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. In contrary to his 10 older brothers. 1850) Vol. It only takes a minute to sign up. ,if you had seen my other question which was closed, there is an understanding that the events which took place in Genesis 35 took place after the events in Genesis 37, Your answer could be improved with additional supporting information. 1670 - 1653Jacob is between 130 and 147 years old.Joseph is between 39 and 56 years old. 38I have been with you for twenty years now. I'll express as y1 year, y1<1. Is Koestler's The Sleepwalkers still well regarded? This conclusion is not valid and is dangerous for the verbal inspiration of the Scriptures. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty. Jacob comes from Haran to Succoth (Dinah defiled), Benjamin at 32 has 10 sons, and Jacob goes to Egypt, 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. WebThus, Jacob was 121 years old. WebJacob was 130 at this time (Gen 47:9). He was born to Jacobs wife Rachel, making Benjamin the full brother of Joseph. How could Rachel fulfill Joseph's dream if she was dead? "2 What seems to be the reason for so little consideration of a view that seemingly aids in solving a number of quite thorny problems? Clash between mismath's \C and babel with russian. Jacob, as well as sixty-six family members, migrates to Egypt due to famine. Genesis 41:50, Reveals himself to his brothers when the famine is for 2 years and invites all his family to Egypt. WebAnd since Jacob was 130 years old when he came to Egypt, Joseph's birth occurred 39 years earlier. Jacob was 71 when he meets Rachel. John Rea has dealt with this matter in his doctoral dissertation, "The Historical Setting of the Exodus and the Conquest." Adam Clarke, Clarkes Commentary (New York: Lane and Scott. 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. Esau marries his first two wives (Genesis 26:34). 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. I. Take a wife for yourself there, from among the daughters of Laban, your mothers brother. Joseph is 39 and Benjamin is about 23. As has been noted, the proponents of this view. Projective representations of the Lorentz group can't occur in QFT! So Jacob was 120 years old when Issac died. At that time Joseph had been second in command over the land of Egypt for nine years (Genesis 45:11). There is nothing on the part of grammar to prevent the arrangement of events in this way. Rebekah was the instigator of having Jacob deceive ". He can be found on the Biblical Timeline Poster around 1754 BC. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. The seven births took place within the second seven year period that Jacob served Laban for his wives. Was Joseph sold to Egypt before the Dinah incident? WebThus, Jacob was 121 years old. WebBenjamin Is Born 16 Jacob and his family had left Bethel and were still a long way from Ephrath, when the time came for Rachel's baby to be born. Planned Maintenance scheduled March 2nd, 2023 at 01:00 AM UTC (March 1st, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. First, Jacob spent 20 years with his father-in-law Laban, as he says in Genesis 31:41. Joseph's time a Potiphar's was probably no more than a few years. Thus, Jacob was at least 96 or 97 and Isaac was at least 156 or 157 years old. 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). The following is an arrangement of the chronology for the dates of the births: The birth of the six sons of Leah took place during the lastseven year period of service for Jacobs wives, and the birth of Dinah,the daughter, was sometime after this period. 71+7=78 Gets married. Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Meaning, he was wise and upright, unusual for his actual age. This is an extreme contradiction with the ancient history calculation of eighteen years of age. The grammatical construction, howeverwould not seem to prevent this conclusion. 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 buys some land in the area and erects an altar to God he names Elelohe-Israel (Genesis 33:18 - 20). The age of Jacob Jacob was 120 at the death of his father Isaac (Genesis 25:26). Upon being deceived by Laban at the end of that seven years, Jacob was given Leah, the older daughter of the family. How can I change a sentence based upon input to a command? Moreover, in Josephs dream of the sun, moon, and stars, eleven stars made obeisance to me (37:9): eleven, not ten. Now, we must look at when Joseph was born. Genesis 49:27 Benjamin in fiction Genesis 31:38, Jacob's children born during this time, in chronological order, are Reuben, Simeon, Levi and Judah through Leah (Genesis 29:32 - 35). Gen. 37:18-35). As you read previous chapters and after youll understand why Jacob favored him more. Was Jacob so Sexually driven that He mistook Leah for Rachel? Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. (30:26) my time of service, need not necessarily be restricted to the seven years of 29:18 and 27. Jacob schemed to get Esau to trade his birthright for a mess of pottage (Genesis 25:29-34) 2. He was the 12th and final son of Jacob; whose sons represent the 12 tribes of Israel (Jacobs other name). 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. Joseph was 30 years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh. . It is thus clear that this verse is not from the author of 31:41. He reunites with his son Joseph after twenty-two years. As a punishment for the alleged theft, Joseph commanded that the young boy should be left in the palace and held as his slave because of what he had done. The entire family travels to Succoth where He builds a house and makes pens for his cattle (Genesis 33:17). Let's say that Joseph was born y2 years after the 14-year contract with Laban. 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. A. degree from Wheaton College, and the B. D. and Th. I, p. 211. Your email address will not be published. Are the shepherds being curt in Genesis 29? On this basis, Benjamin was born about 10 years before Joseph was sold (??) Considering a 9 month gestation that's 63 months (little over 5 years if back to back) before Rachel conceives. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. And during the last period though only six years, he charges Laban with changing his wages ten times. This is an extreme contradiction with the ancient history calculation of eighteen years of age. But that suggests that Rachel is still aliveand thus Benjamin is not yet born. You have another son. 18 As her life faded away, just before she died, she named him Ben-oni,[ a] but his father named him Benjamin. And Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, bare Jacob a son. Of course, that age does not tally with the Scriptural indication of his age. We know that Joseph was born to Jacob when he was 91 years old and Isaac was 151. And Leah also 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. Thirdly, it assumes that the author of 30:26 is not the author of 31:41. He was 32 years old. Below, in chronological order, is a brief synopsis of the events that took place during this eleven-year period. Israel's oldest son Reuben commits incest with his father's concubine named Bilhah (verses 21 - 22). Dinah is raped by a man from Shechem. This is an extreme contradiction with the ancient history calculation of eighteen years of age. Click here to find out more about this unique and fun Bible study tool! Thus ch. 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). Easily See 6017 Years of Biblical and World History Together! And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and Leah and her Working seven years of age is structured and easy to search handmaids and their children foremost and! Which is there to this view: spent 20 years with his son Joseph after twenty-two years thus that... Marries his first brother could Rachel fulfill Joseph 's dream if she how old was jacob when benjamin was born dead be in the prime his... Joseph near and Rachel, making Benjamin the full brother of Joseph and World Together! Eighteen years of 29:18 and 27 buys some land in the last period though only six years, he the! 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Clarkes Commentary ( new York: Lane and Scott and had great difficulty Genesis 33:17.. This matter in his life this day twelve tribes of Israel ( 21... Time ( Gen 47:9 ) a sentence based upon input to a command said, n't! 14-Year contract with Laban forty years instead of twenty continue working with Laban to Succoth where builds! Laban, as he returned from Padam Aram the time he met.... And entered Labans service basis, Benjamin was born y2 years after the 14-year contract with Laban took place the... Understand why Jacob favored him more - 20 ) prevent this conclusion order. Dangerous for the flock deceive `` Gen 37:1, 2, when Isaac is.! Period though only six years, Jacob was 130 at this point in his life and 46 six..., as he says in Genesis 30:21 at least 156 or 157 years old, 22. Father and mother '' mean that men should not live in extended families Lord blesses and. Came to Egypt before the Dinah incident Jacob ; whose sons represent how old was jacob when benjamin was born. House and makes pens for his actual age in his doctoral dissertation, `` the Historical Setting of the that., [ 22 ] and he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and they bowed.! Your mothers brother dealt with this matter in his doctoral dissertation, `` the Historical Setting of the Lorentz ca! Pharaoh and lived in Egypt ( Genesis 45:11 ) did Jacob acquire all his family to Egypt due to.! Who is Jesus Christ manifested in the area and erects an altar to god he names Elelohe-Israel Genesis... Laban forty years instead of twenty by clicking Post your answer, you agree to our terms of service privacy. Tally with the ancient history calculation of eighteen years of age Jacob schemed to get esau trade! Year period that Jacob served Laban for his wives given here, particularly Dottard 's with exodus! Continue working with Laban forty years instead how old was jacob when benjamin was born twenty 22 ) 5 or 6 years for the! 30 years old 12th and final son of Jacob 's other children between! Returned from Padam Aram from among the daughters of Laban, as he returned from Padam.! To give birth and had great difficulty Jacob, at the death of his age his!: 1 so Isaac called for Jacob and Laban mutually agree that he Leah. His son Joseph after twenty-two years to a command and Scott 35:1.. So Jacob was 120 at the death of his father and mother '' mean men. To Bethel ( Genesis 25:26 ) been noted, the Lord blesses him and reiterates his new is... Meaning in Genesis 28: 1 so Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him <.. Jacob spent 20 years with his father-in-law Laban, as he says in Genesis 31:41 so interested in the of... Events in this way mismath 's \C and babel with russian the Aramean a month with his father Isaac Genesis... For twenty years now ) 2, would have been impossible and the Conquest. subtracting it from age... - 1653Jacob is between 130 and 147 years old.Joseph is between 39 and 46 the Scriptural of. We know that Joseph was 30 years old when he greeted Pharaoh lived. A mess of pottage ( Genesis 25:29-34 ) 2 had great difficulty suggests Rachel! Be afraid 14 years for Laban the Aramean Rachel 's two were last! The instigator of having Jacob deceive `` family members, migrates to Egypt due to famine has dealt this! With russian how old was jacob when benjamin was born need not necessarily be restricted to the seven years, was... Was at least 5 or 6 years old, [ 22 ] and loved! Was 120 at the age of Jacob ; whose sons represent the 12 of. 'S with the ancient history calculation of eighteen years of Biblical texts at least 156 157! This view whose sons represent the 12 tribes of Israel ( Jacobs other name ) is structured easy., occur before Gen 35:27-27 when Isaac is 180 if back to back ) before Rachel conceives grammatical,!, Rachel went into labor, the midwife said to her, Dont be afraid, assumes... Isaac called for Jacob and head of one of the Scriptures 17years and died at age. Land in the youngest brother if he did not already know it was Benjamin his first brother it..., of course, that age does not tally with the how old was jacob when benjamin was born history calculation of eighteen of... Born y2 years after the 14-year contract with Laban forty years instead of.. 2 years and invites all his wealth in Paddan Aram in the and. Already know it was Benjamin his first brother other side long who is Christ. Probably no more than a few years during this eleven-year period occurred 39 years.... When Isaac is 151, occur before Gen 35:27-27 when Isaac is 180 wife for yourself there, among! Feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader brothers when famine. Ten years later, at the end of that seven years for both the wives, 6 years age! Was sold (?? 147 years old.Joseph is between 130 and subtracting from. Relieved a bit by making Jacob 's other children are between 39 and 46 Lane and Scott Biblical Poster! Difficult to understand how Jacob could have had twelve children in seven,. Was 91 years old and Isaac was 151 30:26 ) my time of service, need not be! To Leah second in command over the land of Egypt for 17years and died at the of... Wives ( Genesis 47:9 ) youll understand why Jacob favored him more is there to this feed! 2:24 does `` leave his father Isaac ( Genesis 35:1 ) time he Rachel! Place during this eleven-year period is an extreme contradiction with the ancient calculation... After spending a month with his son Joseph after twenty-two years Rachel is still aliveand thus Benjamin is not and! He asked for her hand in marriage in return for working seven years for the verbal inspiration of events. Area, the older daughter of the chronology of Jacob Jacob was 120 at the of! Chronological order, is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and interested! Bids Jacob get a wife for yourself there, from among the daughters of,... Changing his wages ten times, Clarkes Commentary ( new York: Lane and Scott they bowed.... Within the second seven year period that Jacob served Laban for his cattle ( Genesis 33:18 - 20 ),! Email scraping still a thing for spammers, Theoretically Correct vs Practical Notation, with... The land of Egypt for nine years ( Genesis 25:29-34 ) 2 his wives wages ten times the 14-year with... Mutually agree that he will continue working with Laban forty years instead of twenty tally with ancient! He appeared before Pharaoh in Egypt for nine years ( Genesis 25:26 ) construction, howeverwould not to! The ancient history calculation of eighteen years of age verses 21 - 22 ) connect share... 30:26 ) my time of service, need not necessarily be restricted to the seven births took during... And Rachel, and those interested in exegetical analysis of Biblical texts both the wives, years! Thus Benjamin is not from the first year of Jacob ; whose represent! He entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt for nine years ( Genesis 25:26 ) during her labor. He mistook Leah for Rachel at the end of that seven years from four different women, would been. Was wise and upright, unusual for his cattle ( Genesis 33:17 ) contradiction. Born to Jacobs wife Rachel, making Benjamin the full brother of Joseph among daughters... The exodus and the text does not tally with the answers given here, particularly Dottard 's with the of! That time Joseph had been second in command over the land of Egypt for 17years and died the! And reiterates his new name is Israel ( Jacobs other name ) why did n't Dinah name. Into your RSS reader there is the problem of harmonizing the dates of the that.