History of Israel and the Jewish People

Timeline›Journeys

Jacob (Israel)

A journey · 12 stops

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Jacob (Israel) · −1858 – −1711

  1. 1. Beer-lahai-roi −1858 – −1850

    Rebecca gives birth to twins here by the well of her husband, Esau first and Jacob holding on to his heel.

  2. 2. Gerar −1848 – −1835

    Still a boy, he goes with his parents when famine drives Isaac to Abimelech's land.

  3. 3. Beersheba −1834 – −1782

    The younger twin buys Esau's birthright for a bowl of stew and takes his father's blessing in disguise. Esau vows to kill him, and Jacob flees.

  4. 4. Bethel −1781 – −1781

    Sleeping on a stone, he dreams of a ladder reaching heaven with angels on it. God renews Abraham's promise to him, and he names the place the House of God.

  5. 5. Haran −1780 – −1761

    Twenty years with his uncle Laban. He works for Rachel, is given Leah first, and here eleven of his twelve children are born.

  6. 6. Mahanaim −1760 – −1760

    Heading home, he meets angels of God and calls the place the Two Camps. He sends messengers ahead to Esau, afraid of what awaits him.

  7. 7. Penuel −1760 – −1760

    Alone at night by the Jabbok, he wrestles a stranger until dawn and receives a new name: Israel. In the morning Esau runs to embrace him.

  8. 8. Shechem −1759 – −1753

    He buys a field and builds an altar. After Dinah is violated, Simeon and Levi take a terrible revenge on the city.

  9. 9. Bethel −1752 – −1752

    God sends him back to where he dreamed. The name Israel is confirmed here, and the promise of the land repeated.

  10. 10. Bethlehem −1751 – −1751

    On the road Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin, the twelfth son. Jacob buries her by the wayside and sets up a pillar on her grave.

  11. 11. Hebron −1750 – −1729

    He comes home to his father and buries him with Esau. Here his sons bring him Joseph's bloodied coat, and he mourns for years.

  12. 12. Goshen −1728 – −1711

    Famine brings him down to Egypt, where he finds Joseph alive. He blesses his sons, the future tribes, and asks to be buried at Machpelah.