登天梯（1 / 2）

亲爱的小文：

你注意到警察局里消防车上的云梯（ladder）了吗？那种梯子升起来很高，可高出一百英尺。美国underworldslang把ladder叫做Jacob，你知道是谁吗？

JacobwasthesonofIsaac,andthefatherofthe12sonswhofoundedtheTwelveTribesofIsrael,aordingtotheOldTestament.HeboughthisolderbrotherEsausbirthrightwithabowlofsavorystew（“messofpottage”）.Later,JacobenforcedhisclaimbypretendingtohisblindandagedfatherthathehimselfwasEsau.Thus,heobtainedfromIsaacthewordsofblessingIsaachadmeantforEsau.EsauwassoangrythatJacobfledforhislife.

OnthewaytohisuncleLaban,JacobsleptataplacecalledBethel,wherehedreamedofawonderfulladderbetweenheavenandearth.Inthedreadblesshimwhilehewasawayfroouraged,JacobwentontoLabanshohLabansdaughter,Rachel.ButLabanforcedJacobtomarryhidolderdaughter.Leah,beforehecouldhaveRachelforhiswife.Afterworking20yearsforLaban,Jacobleftforhome.

Ontheway,JacobprayedallnightuntilGodreassuredhimthatEsauwouldsparehislife.Esauedgoodfriends.JacobspenthislastyearsinEgypt,wherehissonJosephbroughthimtolive.

EsauwasthesonofIsaacandRebea,andtwinbrotherofJacobintheBible.HeisaterinmanystoriesfoundinGenesis25-33.ThebestknownareJacobscheatinghimoutofhisbirthrightfora“messofpottage”（：27-34）,andthelossofhisblessingthroughtheplottingofhismotherandbrother（）.EsauwasreconciledtoJacobafterthelattersreturntoPalestine20yearslater.

BiblicalhistoryregardsEsauasthefounderoftheEdomitenation.

Jacob就是现在以色列（Israel）人的老老老老老老老老老老……老祖宗。