Interesting Facts

• Alib was the second son born to Laban and Adinah.
• His birth occurred in the fourth year of Jacob’s residence in Laban’s house.
• Prior to Alib’s birth, the sources indicate that Laban had only daughters.
• Alib had two brothers, Beor and Chorash.

Genealogy

• Alib’s parents were Laban and Adinah.
• His older brother was Beor, and his younger brother was Chorash.
• His paternal grandfather was Bethuel, and his paternal great-grandfather was Nahor.
• His aunts were Rebekah (his father’s sister) and Leah and Rachel (his father’s daughters and Jacob’s wives).
• He was a cousin to Jacob and Esau.

Historical Context

Alib was born during a period of significant prosperity for his father, Laban, attributed directly to the blessings that came upon Laban’s household on account of Jacob’s presence and service. This context of increasing wealth and divine favor likely shaped the environment in which Alib was raised. His birth, along with his brothers, marked a turning point for Laban, who previously had no sons. This arrival of male heirs would have been a significant event within the cultural norms of the time, promising the continuation of Laban’s lineage and potentially shifting family dynamics within his household. Alib’s early life unfolded against the backdrop of Jacob’s extended service, the eventual marriages to Leah and Rachel, and the burgeoning of Jacob’s own family and wealth within Laban’s territory.

Narrative

Alib’s role in the narrative provided within these sources is primarily marked by his birth. The text notes the year of his birth in relation to Jacob’s time in Haran, establishing him within the chronological framework of events. Unlike his older brother Beor, Alib is not depicted as undertaking any specific actions or missions within these excerpts. His existence is mentioned in the context of Laban’s growing family and the blessings Laban received due to Jacob. Therefore, Alib’s significance in this portion of the narrative lies in his contribution to Laban’s lineage during Jacob’s extended stay, rather than through any direct involvement in the unfolding conflicts or interactions between Jacob, Laban, and Esau as described in the later chapters. He is part of the growing prosperity of Laban’s household during this period, but the narrative does not elaborate further on his individual experiences or actions.