Why the Patriarchs Called Themselves Sojourners and Strangers

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Vayeshev 3:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

[And Jacob dwelt in the land.] This is what Scripture says (in I Chronicles 29:15): "For we are sojourners before You [and residents like all our fathers]." So it is with the righteous: the Holy One, blessed be He, makes them the essential ones, yet they make themselves secondary. Abraham — the Holy One, blessed be He, magnified him, as it is said (in Genesis 12:2): "And I will bless you and make your name great." And likewise (in Genesis 13:17): "Arise, walk about the land." Yet he says to the children of Heth (in Genesis 23:4): "I am a sojourner and a resident among you." And likewise Isaac — the Holy One, blessed be He, magnified him, as it is said (in Genesis 26:12): "And Isaac sowed in that land." And it says (in Genesis 26:6): "And Isaac dwelt in Gerar." And likewise Jacob: "And Jacob dwelt in the land of his father's sojournings." Therefore it is said: "For we are sojourners before You and residents like all our fathers."

Themes

HumilityRighteousness

Biblical References

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