Jacob Precious in God's Eyes With Angels Standing Over Him

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Bamidbar 22:2

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

Another interpretation (of Isaiah 43:4): "Because you are precious." The Holy One said: Jacob, you are precious in My eyes, for it is as though I and My angels were standing over you when you went out to Paddan-Aram and at your coming back, as it is said (Genesis 28:10, 11, 13): "And Jacob went out..., and he came upon a certain place..., and behold, the LORD stood over him...." Rabbi Hosha'ya said: Happy is one born of woman who has seen the King and His retinue standing over him and ministering to him. And from where is it shown at his coming back? As it is said (Genesis 32:2): "And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him." Here are the angels; from where the Divine Presence? "And God appeared to Jacob again..." (Genesis 35:9). Therefore it is said (Isaiah 43:4): "Because you are precious in My eyes."

Themes

JacobDivine PresencePatriarchs

Biblical References

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Yalkut Shimoni on TorahThe LORD Stood Over Jacob and the Patriarchs as ChariotWhen the verse says the LORD stood over Jacob, the sages crowded around the word like scholars sharpening one another. One reads it through a thirsty psalm: my Midrash Tanchuma Buber, VayetzeiWhy God Stayed Silent While Jacob Lived With LabanHear how the silence of twenty years was broken. The sages open with a question of law: in a shared courtyard where Israelites and idolaters dwell together, theBook of JubileesJacob and the Patriarchs of SabbathThe Book of Jubilees, also known as Lesser Genesis, is an ancient Jewish religious work of 50 chapters, considered canonical by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church asBook of JubileesGod Loves Jacob More Than EsauIn the Book of Jubilees, we get a peek into just such a moment. We're eavesdropping on a conversation between Abraham and God, and it's all about Isaac's sons, Book of JubileesIsaac Sends Jacob Away With a Blessing of PeaceBook of Jubilees turns to Isaac Sends Jacob Away With a Blessing of Peace. Then, bam! We're hit with a classic case of parental favoritism. "And Rebecca loved JBook of JubileesAbraham's Final Kiss and Blessing to JacobBook of Jubilees turns to Abraham's Final Kiss and Blessing to Jacob. The scene. The air is thick with the weight of years, the presence of family, and the unsp