Biblical Facts

Terebinths are huge, spreading trees that grow to a height of 20–26 feet (6–8 m). They have reddish-green leaves and red berries that grow in… Read More »Terebinths

The name Succoth (33:17) means “booths.” A booth was a temporary dwelling resembling a tent or a hut. Most of the people around Succoth were… Read More »Succoth

The Jabbok River. The Hebrew word for “wrestle” is abbaq. This has led many scholars to believe that the Jabbok River (32:22) was named after… Read More »The Jabbok River

Why was Laban so upset when his household gods were stolen? Household gods (31:30) had a more practical use than just idol worship. They served… Read More »Why was Laban so upset when his household gods were stolen?

Giving servants as gifts to the bride (29:24) was very common in OT times. Doing so provided the newly married woman the help she would… Read More »Giving servants

A father’s blessing (ch. 27) was not just a symbolic gesture. It established the identity of the heir, granting him all the privileges of that… Read More »A father’s blessing

Tents were temporary shelters made of cloth and were often woven from black goat’s hair. The tent was held up by ropes and poles. Most… Read More »Tents

Family ties. Laban took responsibility for his sister Rebekah (24:29-51). Apparently their father, who was still alive, was unable to do so.

Two biblical firsts. The burial of Sarah (23:19) is the first biblical record of a burial. Abraham’s purchase of the burial plot is also the… Read More »Two biblical firsts

Why fight over a well? Wells are of great importance in the hot, dry climates around the world. Because lack of water was a constant… Read More »Why fight over a well?

What is the Negeb? The Negeb (20:1) is a dry area of rolling hills in southern Israel. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived there. Hagar sought… Read More »What is the Negeb?

The city gate was a place where leaders made key decisions (Prov. 31:23; Lam. 5:14). Lot’s presence at the city gate (Gen. 19:1) shows that… Read More »The city gate