Uncategorized
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Benjamin
Benjamin is the only child who was named by Jacob. When they were on their way from Bethel to Ephrath, Rachel went into labor. She gave birth to a son whom she named Ben-Oni, which meant “the son of my troubles.” Ironically, it was a difficult labor as she died after giving birth. However, Jacob
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Joseph
Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob, and the first of Rachel. Of all the sons of Jacob, Joseph was the one loved most by Jacob. Being the son of his favourite wife made Joseph his favourite son. Spiritual Significance (One of the things God decided about Joseph was to make him a ruler.) The
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Zebulun /Zebulon
Zebulun’s name is derived from the Hebrew word “zabal” which means “the one who dwells” Among all the sons, he was the tenth. But to his mother Leah he was the sixth. The internet says it might also have come from the Hebrew word “zebal” which means a lofty or honoured dwelling, and can also
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Issachar
Etymology: this name is said to have two main interpretations: Firstly, it means “man of hire” derived from “Ish” – which means man, and “sakar,” which means to hire or reward. Secondly it means “there is a reward” derived from “yesh” meaning “there is,” and “sakar” meaning hire or reward. In essence, first meaning depicts
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Asher
Asher was the second son born from the union of Jacob and Zelpah, Leah’s maidservant. She said the other women will rejoice with her as she had given birth to her second son with Joseph. Because she had given her maidservant to Jacob, the children she gave birth to belonged to her, as per their
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Gad
Etymology: this name means fortune or luck. When one looks at a fortunate, one notes that goodness, mercy and success always follow that person. That is, at least, the secular meaning of the word. Gad was Jacob’s seventh son. His biological mother was Zilpah, Leah’s maidservant. Spiritual Significance There is no person who was referred
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Naphtali
Naphtali represents the struggle between right and wrong. Rachel, though she was the loved wife, had to struggle with childlessness. Until she offered her maidservant to Jacob, she had to be content about having no children. To have children, she had to offer Bilhah to Jacob so that the children born in that union would
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Dan
Etymology: the name Dan means “judge” in Hebrew. The other close to it is Daniel, meaning which means “God is my judge.” Dan was Jacob’s sixth son. His biological mother was Rachel’s maidservant Bilhah. Rachel said God had vindicated her and gave her a second son. Spiritual Significance When God looked at the world, He
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Judah
Etymology: this name comes from a Jewish word for the form of praise called “Yadah,” which means “to praise” or “to give thanks.” The person’s name in Hebrew is “Yehudah,” and the English version is Judah. Yadah is the form of praise that does not involve instruments, but it mainly uses extension of hands as