George Ruheni, PhD.

Jacob’s burial in the cave of the field of Machpelah The Cave of Machpelah is located near Mamre (Hebron), in the land of Canaan, south of Jerusalem. On a biblical map, Machpelah sits in the hill country of Judah, a strategic and fertile region. This site later became one of the most sacred ancestral landmarks in Israel’s history. For his sons carried him to the land of Canaan, and buried him in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre, which Abraham bought with the field from Ephron the Hittite as property for a burial place (Genesis 50:13). We trace the journey from Egypt → Canaan → Hebron (Machpelah). It highlight that Jacob’s burial marks a symbolic return to the Promised Land, even before national possession.   Machpelah was the only piece of land Abraham legally owned in Canaan [Genesis 23:17]. Purchased publicly from Ephron the Hittite, establishing a legitimate title deed. Though Abraham lived as a sojourner, this purchase was a statement of faith in God’...

Reuben In Genesis 49, Jacob is giving sentimental blessings which are prophetic declarations over his sons and reveal both character and destiny, shaped by past actions and future outcomes. The prophecy over Reuben is especially sobering. First, acknowledged as the firstborn, carrying natural privileges: which are Jacob's might, and the beginning of his strength. This had given him a position of leadership, honor, and authority, the excellency of dignity and power, which is associated with kingship and priestly influence. However, his potential is tragically undercut by character failure. Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity and the excellency of power. 4 Unstable as water, you shall not excel, because you went up to your father’s bed; Then you defiled it— He went up to my couch (Genesis 49:3-4). Unstable as water speaks to moral instability, lack of self-control, and inconsistency. Water has no fixed form, it flo...

Reuben and Simeon, the first and second born sons of Jacob (Israel), were disqualified from positions of preeminence and leadership because of serious moral failures. Reuben forfeited his birthright through sexual sin against his father’s household [Genesis 35:22], while Simeon, together with Levi, was implicated in the violent massacre at Shechem [Genesis 34:25]. As a result, both lost the privileges normally associated with firstborn status, a judgment later confirmed in Jacob’s final blessings. And now your two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. 6 Your offspring whom you beget after them shall be yours; they will be called by the name of their brothers in their inheritance (Genesis 48:5-6). Against this background, Jacob’s declaration takes on decisive significance. By formally adopting the two sons of Joseph; Ephraim and Manasseh, Jacob elevated them to the sta...