JACOB, the father of the founders of the twelve tribes of Israel, was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the younger twiu-brother of Esau. "Of all the patriarchs," says Bishop Hall, " none made ao little noise in the world as Isaac ; none lived either so privately or so inno cently." The early events of his life are given under ABRAHAM, and during his father's life the Scriptures relate his characteristic marriage with Rebekah. For twenty years, and until he was sixty years old, he was without issue ; but at length, after repeated prayer, his wife gave birth to the hairy Esau and to Jacob in n.c. 1993. Jacob was the mother's favourite, a mild placid lad, giving attention to the flocks and herds of his father; while Esau was a "cunning hunter," and gained Isaac's favour by gifts of venison. Of course Jacob was made aware of the promise to Rebekah that "the eldest should servo the youngest ;" and therefore, taking advantage of Esau's hunger and impetuosity, he obtained from him a formal and solemn relinquish ment of his right of seniority for a mess of potage. It is generally thought that this right, as to which Esau inquired "what profit shall tbia birthright do to me I" related only to the heirship of the promises relating to the foundation of the future kingdom. Abraham had died when Esau and Jacob were fifteen. Isaac had succeeded to his patrimony, as Abraham had already provided for hie sons by his second wife Keturah. He had prospered ; but on the occurrence of a famine in Canaan he bad thoughts of going down to Egypt, but was forbidden by God. He therefore went to Philistia, and settled at Gerar. Here he denied that Rebekah was his wife, as his father Abraham had done in somewhat similar circumstances; but she was not taken from him, nor was he molested on that account, though Abimelech reproached him for the deception. His prosperity continued to increase, but con tentions arose with the herdsmen of Abimelech the king respecting the wells ; and Isaac, after one or two removals, finally settled at Beersheba. Here Esau at the age of forty married two wives of the neighbouring tribe of the Hittites, to the great grief of his family, who would naturally wish that he should have united himself with wives of his own race. Isaac was now 137 yearn old, and imagining himself to be near his end, desired to give his heir his last blessing. This Jacob, by a device of his mother, obtained from the dim-sighted old man, who however said, "the voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau." Esau, though ho obtained a second but modified blessing, was greatly irritated, and threatened to kill Jacob, who thereupon, by his mother's advice, fled to his mother's brother, Laban, who dwelt in Padanaram in Mesopotamia, first receiving the parting injunctions of father and mother to take no wife from the daughters of Canaan, but to select one of the daughters of Laban. On his journey he had the vision of the ladder that ascended to heaven, at a place afterwards called Bethel. After a long journey he approached the neighbourhood of Laban, where at a well he first saw Rachel, and was enabled to show her courtesy by watering her father's sheep, which she kept. When he had done this
ho announced himself, and she ran to inform her father. Laban received him kindly, and after Jacob had resided for a month, inquired what wages be should give for his services. Jacob offered to serve him seven years for bia younger daughter Rachel, for Laban had an elder daughter Leah. The seven years passed, "and they seemed to him but as a few days, for the love he had to her," and then Jacob claimed his bride. Laban made a feast, the wedding took place, the bride was closely veiled as was and is the custom in the east, and in the morning "behold, it was Leah." Jacob reproached her father for the deception, who pleaded that it was contrary to the custom of the land to marry the younger danghter before the elder; but he agreed to give him Rachel also, after a short interval, on condition that he served another seven years. Jacob consented to this arrangement,. Leah was fruitful ; she bore Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun, and a daughter named Dinah, and her handmaid bore Gad and Asher. Rachel for many years had no issue; she therefore gave her handmaid to Jacob, who bore Dan and Naphtali. At length Raohel's prayers were heard, and when Jacob was ninety-one she bore to him Joseph. When Jacob's term of servitude for Rachel had expired he expressed a wish to return to Canaan with his wives and family, but Laban, whose flocks and herds had prospered under Jacob's care, prayed him to tarry, saying "the Lord bath blessed me for thy sake; appoint me thy wages, and I will give it." Jacob consented, on condition that " all the speckled and spotted cattle, and all the brown cattle among the sheep, and tho spotted and speckled among the goats," should be his hire. This was assented to, and by his management he contrived that all the stronger auimala should produce yonng of the description named, while all the weakly ones were Laban's. His remarkable success, and the vast luereaso of his wealth, excited the envy of Laban's sons, and to avoid the effects of their displeasure he resolved to depart secretly. Lab= however pursued and overtook him, but after a short controversy they were reconciled, and Jacob pursued his way to Canaan. When he approached Edom, where Esau was living, he began to fear his brother's resentment, and sent large presents of camels, cattle, and sheep as presents, in order to propitiate him ; but Esau received him kindly, "fell on his neck and wept," and returned his presents, saying " I have enough, my brother ;" but, finally, at Jacob's urgent request accepting them, and offering to escort him on his way. This was declined. Jacob proceeded, and at length reached the neighbourhood of Shechem, where he purchased a piece of land, and erected an altar. While living here occurred the violation of his daughter Dinah by Shechem, the son of Hamor, the prince of the country ; in revenge for which, although Shechem wished to marry her, Simeon and Levi slew Hamor and Shechem and all the males of the city, took their wives and children captives, and spoiled them of their cattle and wealth.