Jacob had twelve sons:
“The sons of Leah: Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. The sons of Rachel’s servant Bilhah: Dan and Naphtali. The sons of Leah’s servant Zilpah: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan Aram." (which today is the area of Turkey) For the first time, I have found an error - an inconsistency in scripture. Verses 23-26 says that all twelve sons of Jacob were born in Paddam Aram, but verses 16-19 clearly state “While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty. And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, “Don’t despair, for you have another son.” So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). As she breathed her last for she was dying she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin.” Genesis 35:16-19 According to everything I have read, It appears that 11 of Jacob’s sons were actually born in Paddam Aram, but one was born on the way to Bethlehem from Luz (otherwise known as Bethel) and that son was Benjamin - born to Rachel when she died. Benjamin was Jacob's only son born in the land of Canaan - the rest were born in Harran (or Paddam Aram). Since I fully believe the scripture has no errors, then I am assume that the error is mine, or there is an error in translation - the verb and proposition must have room for interpretation. Benjamin was not born in Paddam Aram. He was in fact born on the way to Bethlehem. This is true. Perhaps the translation should read “by way of" or "on account of" Jacob’s decision to go to Paddan-Aram. After further investigation, I do not believe it’s about the physical location of where the sons were born, but rather a statement about where Jacob went to afford him the opportunity to have this family - “because Jacob went to Paddam Aram, he found these wives and concubines and had these 12 sons born to him.” Whenever we see an “error” in the scripture we should NOT assume that we are right and the scripture is wrong. Instead, we should do some research and dig a little deeper into the language, the context and the meaning of words. Trust me - man is more likely to cause a translation error, than the inspired word of God. Also, before I end this poem, I would like to point out one more thing that struck me from Chapter 35. The scripture says “that Jacob came home to his father Isaac in Mamre, near Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed. Isaac lived 180 years. Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.” Genesis 35:23-29 I found it interesting that Esau and Jacob, two brothers who were totally opposed, were there together to bury their father. It reminded me of Isaac and Ishmael, the two opposing sons of Abraham, who were both together to bury Abraham. “His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, the field Abraham had bought from the Hittites. There Abraham was buried with his wife Sarah.” Genesis 25:9-10 And it should also be noted that God did not choose both sons, but only one! And yet - both sons were there together bowing down before their Lord. “After Abraham’s death, God blessed his son Isaac, who then lived near Beer Lahai Roi.” Genesis 25:11 “After Jacob returned from Paddan Aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. God said to him, “Your name is Jacob, but you will no longer be called Jacob; your name will be Israel.” Genesis 35:9-10 “The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.” Genesis 35:12 “Jacob called the place where God had talked with him Bethel.” Genesis 35:15
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