Jacob blessed his sons prophetically concerning things to come in the last days. Reuben would not excel due to sexual depravity. Simeon and Levi would be divided in Jacob and scattered in Israel because of their fierce anger. The scepter would not depart from Judah until Shiloh comes. Zebulun would dwell by the sea and become a haven for ships. Issachar would become a band of slaves. Dan would judge yet act as a viper leaving markers wherever he traveled. A troop would tramp upon Gad but he would triumph at last. Asher would yield royal dainties. Naphtali would give goodly words. Joseph would become a fruitful bough by a well with branches running over the wall and would be strengthened by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob. Benjamin would be a ravenous wolf. Jacob blessed Joseph's sons Ephraim and Manasseh. He placed his right hand on the head of Ephraim the younger and his left hand on the head of Manasseh the firstborn. He declared that Manasseh would become a people and be great while Ephraim the younger brother would be greater still and his descendants would become a multitude of nations. Jacob set Ephraim before Manasseh and established that his own name along with the names of Abraham and Isaac would be named upon the lads so that they would grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

Jacob began life as the supplanter who desired physical blessings and took advantage of another to obtain his brother's birthright and blessing. After a period of training Jacob returned with a changed character. Jacob saw angels and recognized the place as God's camp. Jacob sent messengers to his brother Esau and became greatly afraid when Esau approached with four hundred men. Jacob divided the people and flocks into two companies so that if Esau attacked one the other might escape. Jacob prayed to God acknowledging his own unworthiness and reminding God of the promise to make his descendants as the sand of the sea. Jacob sent gifts to Esau recognizing that the physical blessings received were from God and intended for restitution. Jacob wrestled through the night and refused to give up. The One with whom Jacob wrestled changed his name to Israel because as a prince he had struggled with God and with men and had prevailed. At the point of his death Jacob saw clearly to whom the blessings of the physical and spiritual family were to go and he blessed them. Jacob held firmly to the vision of the family and dedicated the remainder of his life to it.