The story of jacob building a large family – जैकब द्वारा एक बड़ा परिवार बनाने की कहानी
The story of Jacob building a large family is found primarily in Genesis 29-30, 35. Jacob, the grandson of Abraham, becomes the patriarch of the twelve tribes of Israel through his marriages to Leah and Rachel, and his relationships with their maidservants, Zilpah and Bilhah. Here’s a detailed account:
Jacob flees from his brother Esau’s wrath after deceiving him out of his birthright and blessing. He travels to his uncle Laban’s household in Haran. At a well near Haran, Jacob meets Rachel, Laban’s younger daughter, and falls in love with her.
Jacob agrees to work for Laban for seven years in exchange for Rachel’s hand in marriage. After seven years, Laban deceives Jacob by giving him Leah, his elder daughter, as a wife instead of Rachel. Laban justifies this by citing the custom of marrying off the older daughter first. Jacob agrees to work another seven years for Rachel and marries her a week after marrying Leah.
Leah, who is unloved by Jacob, bears him four sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. Rachel, distressed by her inability to conceive, gives her maidservant Bilhah to Jacob as a wife to bear children on her behalf. Bilhah bears Jacob two sons: Dan and Naphtali.
Leah, seeing that she had stopped bearing children, gives her maidservant Zilpah to Jacob. Zilpah bears Jacob two sons: Gad and Asher.
Leah bears Jacob two more sons, Issachar and Zebulun, and a daughter, Dinah.
God remembers Rachel and she conceives, giving birth to Joseph. Later, Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin.
God’s promise to Abraham of numerous descendants continues to be fulfilled through Jacob’s large family. The story reflects the complex relationships and rivalries between Jacob’s wives and children. Jacob’s twelve sons become the progenitors of the twelve tribes of Israel, each playing a significant role in the history and development of the Israelite nation.
This narrative underscores themes of faith, perseverance, and the unfolding of God’s plan through human relationships and challenges.
The story of jacob building a large family – जैकब द्वारा एक बड़ा परिवार बनाने की कहानी
