Tag: possessions

Jacob Picked Up his Feet

Posted on by jovial_cynic

Then Jacob [a]set out on his journey, and went to the land of the people of the east.
Genesis 29:1 (NASB)

[a] Lit lifted up his feet

Genesis 29 starts out with a curious phrase that is often rendered “set out on his journey.” It is literally “picked up his feet.”

This is not just an idiom. It may connects to the last verse in the previous chapter.

And this stone, which I have set up as a memorial stone, will be God’s house, and of everything that You give me I will assuredly give a tenth to You.”
Genesis 28:22 (NASB)

At the end of Genesis 28, Jacob makes a vow to give God a tithe, or a 10th of all he has, but it is written in the imperfect, or “future” tense.

(In Hebrew, the imperfect tense is the “not yet completed” version of a verb)

He doesn’t give a tithe *right now* because he doesn’t have anything. He fled his home without any possessions.

So when the text says he “lifted up his feet,” the rabbis say this could mean he picked up “all his possessions.” Literally nothing but his feet.

Burdened with Riches

Posted on by jovial_cynic
Genesis 13 tells us that Abram was “very rich” in material possessions, but remember where he got those possessions: from Egypt. Empire.

Look:

Therefore [Pharaoh] treated Abram well for her sake; and he gave him sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants and female servants, female donkeys, and camels.
Genesis 12:16 (NASB)

The Hebrew writers want you to know something. This word “rich” in v2 is “kabad.” It can mean “rich,” but it also carries the connotation of “heavy.” Burdened. Slowed. It’s not entirely good.

Now Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.
Genesis 13:2 (NASB)

Later, we’ll read about Hagar, who is one of those possessions. I think we’d agree that a concubine leads to trouble.

But also, this passage in Genesis 13 is almost immediately followed by the land being unable to “bear the weight” of Lot and Abe’s posessions. Again – “heavy.” Burdened. This leads to another problem in the story.

And yet… it seems that God blesses, despite our possessions.