Interesting Facts

• Jahleel was one of the three sons born to Zebulun.
• His birth took place in the land of Canaan.
• He is listed as one of Jacob’s descendants who journeyed into Egypt.
• Similar to his brothers Sered and Elon, no specific actions or individual characteristics of Jahleel are detailed in the provided texts beyond his lineage.

Genealogy

• Jahleel’s father was Zebulun, one of the twelve sons of Jacob.
• His mother was Merishah, also known as Ni’iman, the daughter of Molad from Midian.
• He had two brothers, Sered and Elon.
• Jahleel was a grandson of Jacob through his son Zebulun, and his grandmother was Leah.
• He is included in the enumeration of the seventy souls who came with Jacob into Egypt, signifying his role in the foundational migration of Jacob’s family.

Historical Context

Jahleel’s life began in Canaan, a land central to the early narratives of Jacob and his offspring. The cultural emphasis on family and lineage is evident in the meticulous recording of his birth and his inclusion in the list of those who went down to Egypt. The pivotal event shaping his life and that of his family was the severe famine in Canaan, which necessitated the move to Egypt under the provision of his uncle Joseph. This migration marked a significant transition from their ancestral lands to a foreign nation, where they would reside and multiply in the land of Goshen. The social structures and expectations within Jacob’s extended family, as well as the broader context of their interactions with the surrounding Canaanite populations before the move, would have influenced Jahleel’s early experiences. The subsequent period in Egypt, under the authority of Joseph, provided a time of security and prosperity for Jacob’s entire household.

Narrative

Within the narrative framework of the provided texts, Jahleel’s presence is primarily within the genealogical listings that establish the composition of the Israelite tribes. He is mentioned as a son of Zebulun, contributing to the lineage of that particular tribe. Unlike his uncle Joseph, whose story forms a central arc involving betrayal, hardship, and eventual triumph, Jahleel does not have a personal narrative thread that is developed. His existence is noted as part of the larger story of Jacob’s family and their journey from Canaan to Egypt. While the texts detail the complex relationships and significant events involving other members of his extended family, such as the conflict between Joseph and his brothers, the interactions with Esau, and Jacob’s blessings and death, Jahleel remains a figure whose significance in these sources lies in his place within the family’s historical and ancestral record. His name serves as a marker within the account of the growth and movement of Jacob’s descendants.