Original subtitles

Well's a cat.

We don't want him full of sand by morning.

That took long

enough. Where are the boys?

One fights a storm to save the wells.

The other is with his grandfather.

Blessed art thou, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth the bread

from the earth.

Amen.

Ah, Esau always stalks the finest in the herd.

He never takes the easy kill. The people of Abraham need more than a strong arm

in their leader.

I know I'm from a different tribe. Don't start, woman.

Esau is the firstborn. Jacob came second, but he was clashing his

heel. He tried to get out first.

But it was Esau the hunter who was first. And then Jacob.

One a man of action.

And the other a man who cares about the tribe.

Now that is enough.

I think Abraham hears God's voice whenever the wind blows.

God speaks to all of us.

But we don't all hear him.

Blessed art thou, O Lord, our God, King of the universe, who brings me bread

from the earth.

Amen.

Do you hear him?

Hear God's voice.

Me.

I often fear there's someone watching.

Do you know what I mean?

I do.

I feel it all the time.

But it always turns out to be a Canaanite woman following me like a

cow.

And you encourage them. You lend out with a Canaanite wife.

I could do worse.

Pickings are slimming, huh, Kemp?

Ah.

Yeah.

Let's find some shade.

You go on.

Jacob, my son is dying.

My firstborn.

God of Abraham, protect and keep this, your servant.

It's a great gift to heal the sick.

I just made some lentils, Mother.

It's for my father.

Have it skin and gutted.

I need something now.

Haven't eaten since morning.

Mmm.

Smells delicious.

It's quite a prize.

Stoked him half the day.

Even for a hunter like you.

There's only one greater pleasure, believe me.

You should come with me to the Canaanite women.

That's a thrill even you could enjoy.

Perhaps I already have.

You might enjoy it more if your head was clear and you knew who you were lying

with.

You talk like an old woman, stirring her porridge.

Well, porridge has its uses.

I'm hungry.

Give me some.

No.

It's for Gaham's boy. He's sick.

Damn you!

I brought home enough meat for the entire tribe.

Don't I deserve a little porridge?

I tell you, it's for games, boy.

There's enough for both of us. Then wait. Don't just think of yourself.

You think I'm stupid, don't you?

No, but you're very uncaring.

You're the firstborn.

Firstborn be damned.

What does that mean?

Just a bit bigger share of what father leaves us.

Your inheritance means so little to you. And your hunger is so desperate. Give

it to me.

And in return, you can take all the porridge you want.

Done. No, it's not that easy. Swear it. Swear what?

That in return for the porridge, you give me your inheritance.

What? Swear it.

Yes.

Yes, I swear it.

Now, can I eat it?

Not until you swear by the God of Abraham.

I swear by the God of Abraham that in return for this porridge, I give up my

inheritance, the inheritance of the firstborn, to you, my brother.

Jacob.

Yes, Mother. My spring will be overrun with lambs. We've never had a better man

tending the flock.

It's not difficult to persuade animals to couple, Mother.

Nor some men.

We won't speak against Esau.

He married outside our tribe, and now he's building a stone house like the

Canaanites.

How's Father?

His eyesight is worse, and I know he's in pain.

Esau?

No, Father. It's Jacob.

Ah.

Do you think Esau's too busy?

For you, Father?

Never.

Esau, father wants to see you.

Well, what do you think?

You should build one for yourself.

A stone house.

No, Esau.

I'm not a Canaanite.

Harry, just like the animals that fear your bow.

old man Esau.

And the hour of my death is near. No, Father. Now listen.

Listen to me. Take your bow.

Find some day in the finest in the herd.

Prepare it and then bring it to me.

When I've eaten my fill then.

Then I'll give you my paternal blessing.

No, Father. It is time.

Don't argue.

Do as I say or I'll be gone.

And you no longer have the chance.

Quickly, get Jacob.

Tell him to come here at once.

When Esau comes back, your father intends to give him the blessing.

So he should. His head was first from your womb. But you were clutching his

heel. You were delivered together.

Together.

God intended you to continue Abraham's line, not Esau. Really? He told you so,

did he?

When I was with child, I was in great pain.

I sought the counsel of God.

Two nations are within your womb, I was told.

Two manner of men shall be delivered to you.

The one is stronger than the other, and the elder shall serve the younger.

You are the one who pleases God.

You must understand that.

No, I can't do that to Esau. I've already taken his inheritance. It's

That's enough.

Really? You feel no call?

You never sense a presence at your shoulder?

Fetch me two young goats.

I'll prepare a meal for your father.

You can take it with him.

He's nearly blind.

Don't you want the eldest son's blessing?

Don't you want to carry on the line begun by Abraham?

Not by deception.

All that counts is that you do it.

Esau will turn us into Canaanites.

Do as I say.

This is God's will.

Can any good come from this?

This must be God's wish.

Or he would have made you the hunter, and Esau the one who cared.

Don't bark. It'd fill my arms to know it's not Esau.

I'm here.

Is it Jacob or Esau?

You're firstborn.

And I've done as you wished. I've brought you the food.

Come closer.

Closer, my son, so that I may touch you.

And then you can give him your blessing.

The arm is the arm of Esau.

But the voice is the voice of Jacob.

Are you truly my son, Esau?

Come near my son and kiss me.

Yes, you are truly his son.

God give you the dew of heaven, the riches of the earth, grain,

and new wine in plenty.

May people serve you and nations bow down to you.

May you be Lord over your brothers, and may your mother's sons bow down to you.

Cursed be those who curse you.

And a blessing on those who bless you.

Who's that?

It's me, Esau.

Come, sit up and eat.

Then you can give me your blessing.

Why are you feeding me again?

I've blessed you already.

Who was it who brought food to me?

Jacob.

First he takes my birthright.

Now he steals my blessing.

Jesus, my son, what have I done?

Have you no blessing left for me? I've given him everything. I've made him your

master. But you must bless me instead.

But I blessed him.

And he must remain blessed.

God saw me bless Jacob.

He allowed it to happen. I cannot change that.

Then bless me too.

Bless me too.

You shall enjoy the riches of the earth and the dew of heaven.

But you will live by the sword.

You deceive me once too often.

I'll have your heart before sunrise.

You care nothing for us.

Nothing for who we are.

I deserve the blessing of God for us.

Once he's been properly mourned.

I'll kill you, brother, and never shed a tear.

You die the day after he does.

You must leave here, Jacob.

You must move on.

I'm not afraid of Esau.

Do as I say, or she will kill you. Then I will kill him.

Your father wants you. Hurry.

Do as he tells you.

He wants to send me away.

Is that why he blessed me?

It is time you were married, Jacob.

But not to a king and a night woman.

You must go to Padamaran and find a wife there. One of the daughters of Laban,

your mother's brother.

Not Jacob.

May God bless you.

May he make you fruitful and increase your descendants until they become a

community of nations.

May he bestow on you and your offspring the blessing given to Abraham so that

you can possess the land where you are now living, the land God gave to

A special gift for your bride.

He's taking a rich diary.

Are you just going to let him go?

These are my father's last days.

I can't harm Jacob.

What hurts you hurts me.

You're my brother -in -law.

I cannot have his death on my head.

Of course not.

the God of Abraham and your father Isaac.

I will give this land to you and your descendants.

They will be as countless as the specks of dust on the ground.

And you will spread far and wide, to west and east, to north and south.

All the families of the earth will long to be blessed, as you and your

descendants are blessed.

I shall be with you to protect you wherever you go.

and I shall bring you back to this land.

I shall not leave you until I have done what I promised you.

God will be with me.

And if he will protect me on my journey, and if I return safely to my father's

house, then the Lord shall be my God.

And of everything he gives me, I will set aside a tenth

cloth for him.

I've placed my faith in him who showed me the gateway to heaven.

We're from Haran.

That I'm here.

God has delivered me.

Do you know?

Do you know Laban, son of Nehor?

Anyone who doesn't is from a long way off.

Can you take me, John?

She can take you to him.

She's his wife.

She's his daughter.

He's looking for your father.

I will take you to him once we have watered the flocks.

You are generous with your strength.

Thank you.

Sorry.

So sorry.

I'm Jacob.

do fortune tellers get in such a state?

They're supposed to know what's going to happen, aren't they?

When I cast the stones this morning, there was a new message.

A presence will soon be among us. A presence that will make us all rich.

Starting with you, I suppose, since you want payment for this prediction.

No, Ray -Ban, I swear.

Swear it on both before my house of God.

I do.

I do so swear a great presence is near to us.

Father!

A man at the well!

Jacob!

Then bring him here Rachel There may be something to this after all great

wealth from the son of nomads Uncle I

am Jacob son of Isaac and Rebecca

Great wealth, did you say?

I haven't had a look at your stones, sir.

It's true.

I swore it on your gods, Laban.

What do you make of him, daughter?

He's gentle.

And there's something quite calm about him.

He's of my blood.

We welcome him properly.

Get the servants to give him a clean robe.

Put the sight of him and put me off my food.

Ah, now I can see the resemblance.

Sit down, nephew.

Join us in our humble meal.

So.

I gather you were attacked by thieves.

Yes, Uncle. They prey on the caravan routes.

Oh, yes, yes.

We live in lawless times.

Well, did they take a great deal?

A bride's ransom.

You must stay with us until you get your strength back.

Then I shall want to hear more.

We all will.

Ah, this is Murash, my eldest son.

At least I didn't rob you of your appetite.

How are the flocks being counted, Beor?

Ah, this is my second son. Not yet, father.

Ah, we need more eyes in the field.

Perhaps my nephew can help.

I would be honored, Uncle.

Good.

Leia will be your guide.

Show you our home, our village, and our fields.

She's my eldest daughter.

I would be grateful for her help.

It's Jacob's doing.

Whatever he touches flourishes.

How do we know it's him?

It's his doing.

It's from this God to whom he prays nightly.

Tell me which one.

My prayers must be as good as his.

It's not a God known to us.

We must keep Jacob here.

He has his eye on Rachel. And she's noticed him.

I neither blind nor stupid.

Rachel.

Where did you come from?

I had to bring the midday meals. Lay is not well.

You work too hard.

This was just an accident.

Push yourself.

I work as hard as God allows.

If it's a struggle, then it's simply his will.

How would a God that makes everything you touch succeed want you to struggle?

Make me worthy.

Blessed art thou, O Lord, our God, King of the universe, who brings forth the

bread from the earth.

Amen. But one day... What?

He'll reward me.

How?

With your love.

If he truly cares for me.

I hope my brothers never hear you speak like that. They won't.

Not until the time is right.

It will never be time until Leia is married.

I can wait.

Don't be afraid.

If we were seen, we'd be stoned.

Don't run away, Rachel. Please.

No, I won't.

But we must be careful.

You hear that?

Yes.

It's a sign between the two of us that one of us wants to speak with the other.

If it is returned, it means no one is about.

Now is not a good time.

Marash knows I'm bringing the midday meals.

Jacob, it's not right that you should work for nothing.

Tell me what wages you want.

I don't expect wages, uncle.

Then what made you come here?

Rebecca, your sister and my mother... wanted me to take one of your daughters

be my wife.

Ah!

Why should I give up something so precious when there was nothing?

I know I come empty -handed.

But I'm a good worker.

Take me as a laborer. I'll give you five years for Rachel.

It would be a great break with tradition to see Rachel married before there.

But I'm... Blood of your blood.

This isn't a marriage outside of the family.

Yeah, that's true.

And you know I'm a good worker, which means a good provider. Everything you

touch flourishes.

Then let me work for you.

For five years. Ten.

Seven. So be it.

Stay here and work for me.

I promise you'll never regret this day.

Why don't you tell Rachel yourself?

But perhaps she knows already.

You're cheating, Lance.

Oh, seven years is a long time.

We'll worry about it later.

I'm sorry for Leah.

But what pains her gives me great joy.

And me.

Each morning I've been frightened you'd say it was time to leave.

I will leave.

First thing in the morning.

Seven years.

Whatever Jacob touches flourishes.

The rain comes sometime.

The grass grows like weeds.

It's Jacob's God.

If Jacob leaves, his God, who is so strong and bountiful, will leave with

There is a way.

This is not the man who can be forced.

It needs cleverness.

He must think he stays by his own choice.

Laban!

Laban!

Jacob.

I've served my time.

Come for Rachel.

You're very prompt.

You'll keep your word.

Oh, of course I will. Of course.

Oh, we must make plans for the wedding.

Should we invite anyone from your family? Your brother, perhaps?

No.

I'll see him soon enough when I take my bride back.

Back to my own country.

Oh, all in good time.

First, come in.

And we must prepare the wedding feast.

Is this the way to help with him?

Father has a plan.

How

can you

do this?

I am the master of this house.

I can do whatever I feel like.

And now that you know exactly, exactly what I expect of you, you will obey me.

Or by all that's holy, I'll cast you out and let the desert have you.

Please, don't thwart me.

Jacob's God will make you pay for this.

I wish you were dead.

I wish Father were dead and those ugly gods he worships.

At least Jacob's God stands for honor and decency.

Then why is he letting all this happen?

Why is he deserting Jacob now?

What's meant for Jacob is meant for me.

And for you.

It will end if it should. I have faith in that.

I'm... She's in her room.

She's terribly upset.

It's understandable.

The bride awaits her master.

But the room is dark.

A tradition to honor modesty.

The bedchamber must be unleaked at the wedding night.

Rachel?

All night long I called you Rachel.

And you answered me.

How did you know the signs?

Rachel had no choice, Jacob.

What else could she do?

But one word from you would have stopped it all.

Have you never wanted something so badly that you would deceive even the people

you love to get it?

God.

My God.

Will my debt never be paid?

Will I never atone?

Where's Laban?

Laban!

No, no, no. Don't do anything. You deceived me. Give me a reason not to

you. I can explain.

Help me. Help me.

Would your God want my blood on your hands?

Rachel is yours.

You shall have Rachel, I swear it. And you ignored the pain you caused and

settled on deception.

No, no, no. Well, not exactly.

We all have to see her a little.

Leia is now yours.

And once this week of celebration is over, I shall give you Rachel as a bride

well. I only wanted one wife, you fool.

But two wives speak well of a man.

Two dowries.

They show the world how rich she is.

What dowries?

You've kept me penniless for seven years! That's not a problem.

You live here with my daughters and work another seven years

for your second bride, Rachel.

Huh?

You get the goods and advances to speak.

It seems hard.

But it is the only way the gods have left you.

There is no other way.

Can any good come of this?

You can't turn on me now.

You showed me the signs.

You agreed.

I took it on faith that it was the will of God.

Jacob's God.

Please don't hate me. I don't hate you.

No smile.

Not even for your husband.

I have very little smile about.

God will bless you with a child.

In his own good time.

Just as he has done with Leah.

Rachel, come quickly.

And that is what we must offer God.

Praise for his bounty.

Four sons, my husband.

Do you love me now?

You're never happier, Jacobson, when your wife gives you another son.

Leah is a gentle woman.

It would be wrong to punish her for what your father did.

You're also my wife.

The children are a gift from God.

A blessing for all of us.

I want to be like her, Jacob.

Please give me children or I shall die of pain.

I'm not God.

Children aren't mine to give.

But you were chosen by him.

Why did he prefer Leah?

Tell me what to do.

What can I do?

Lie with my slave girl.

Please lie with her so she can give birth to my niece.

Then I will have a child of my own.

Please do this for me, Jacob.

Bilhah.

It's exactly as I predicted.

While Jacob remains here, his God enriches us all.

I hope we all remember who kept Jacob here. How could we forget, Father? But

second seven years are nearly up. How are we going to keep him? He has no

to leave now.

He has seven sons by Leah.

Two from this late girl, Bela.

Another by Leah's late girl, Zilpa. And for good measure, Leah has given him a

daughter, Dina.

Oh, you've come early to please an old man.

God has blessed me, Father.

What are you talking about?

Father, I am with child.

Rachel's blessing is a sure sign.

When our child is born, we will take our leave.

Come inside.

This is no place to discuss such a matter.

Of course, I can't stop you going.

But you'll be a sorry sight when you get there.

If you get there at all.

You came empty -handed.

So you must leave empty -handed.

I think you will find it difficult to keep your enormous brood without water

food on such a long journey.

You want to keep me here a prisoner?

No, no, no, no. You've earned dowries for my daughters. I'm honor -bound to

you. Name your price.

I don't want your silver. I don't want your gold.

What?

I want a share in your flocks.

I deserve that.

Go through your entire stock. Remove all of your black lambs and all of your

speckled goats.

They will be my wages.

But all my sheep are white and all my goats are black.

You'll have nothing. I'll have all I need.

I'm guided by the hand that showed me the gateway to heaven. Then tell me the

story again, please.

I told Laban that I would go through his flocks and pick out every black lamb

and every speckled goat.

They would be my wages.

But Laban and his sons cheated and removed all the speckled goats and all

rams that were black.

Then the angel of God appeared to me in a dream.

So I took fresh rods of poplar and plane trees and peeled off strips of bark,

exposing the white of the rods.

I put the peeled rods in the water troughs and fixed some of them upright

that they were facing the she -goats that were on heat when they came to

Take the poles out when the weaker animals come to drink. Why?

We want to breed from the strongest.

They mated in front of the rods and gave birth to young that were striped and

spotted and speckled.

And now you see why I put my trust in the Lord.

It's sorcery.

It's robbery.

And when Rachel has the child... And the ewes gave birth to black sheep.

So our wealth has increased.

We shall call you Joseph.

It means the one who will add to our people.

Joseph.

It will soon be time to leave.

I must do as God tells me.

But I cannot force you to leave your father.

I think we should all do what God tells you.

Father sold us for profit.

He got his price.

We are worthless, Dad.

You must shear your sheep and move your flocks to the winter grazing.

It's time.

No. I do as God tells me.

Oh, you and your God.

Your flocks will perish in the winter snow.

The animals will die.

Then you'll be praying to my God.

Do as you please.

We move our flocks and return in six days.

We leave in three days, when his father's from home.

We must be careful.

None of his servants must know our plan.

We must move faster.

Iliad is still a good five days away.

Will Esau be there to meet her?

He knows we're near.

I think he'll certainly be there to meet her.

What's the matter?

He's my brother.

Just as Joseph is yours.

There should never be bad blood in a family.

But I don't think your grandfather Laban would agree.

Fools! Why didn't you send someone after me?

We did, master. But you were back before he found you.

Let's go after him, father.

Let's kill him. And let's take back the flocks. Now.

But the flocks are ours. Jacob stole them by sorcery.

You won't defeat Jacob by force.

We need guidance.

I'll follow him even to his father's tent.

And I'll kill him there.

He's no more than a day's ride ahead.

pitch camp here for the night.

Tomorrow we'll be in my brother's land.

I'll ride on ahead and set the trail for the morning.

I'm almost home.

Almost home.

It is you, God of my fathers, who wins the victories for your servant Jacob.

It's not the sword.

It saved me. Put your guidance in love.

Listen carefully, Laban.

Do not lay your hand on the man I have blessed.

Do Jacob no harm.

You have delivered me from my adversaries.

You have thrown my enemies into confusion.

Simeon.

Simeon.

It's Laban.

He's here.

Hey!

See?

See? All you need.

He's your... Your brother.

My brother.

He's less than two days' ride away.

Is she alone?

There must be nearly a hundred people with him. Get the men.

I want them armed.

We leave now.

What are you waiting for?

You'll do nothing unless I tell you.

Jacob. Jacob, my son.

What have you done?

We could have took it over, huh?

You're a very clever man, Levin.

But... Talking to you leads to years of servitude.

But why, Jacob, did you steal my gods?

How can I ignore such an insult?

Your gods?

I didn't steal your gods.

How can you deceive me?

I would never do such a thing.

Search my camp.

Whoever stole your gods shall die.

This I swear.

By everything I hold dear.

Why have you got Joseph?

Rachel's sick.

Ah.

Forgive me for not getting up, Father.

I am as women are once a month.

My dear, forgive me.

Have you found anything?

No.

Then let us go.

They are my daughters, my children, my livestock.

Everything you see is mine. But I cannot go back with you.

I must go on until I reach the land promised to me by Abraham and Isaac.

I worked all those years only to make myself worth it.

Then this is where our paths separate.

I swear I shall not pass this way again.

Before God.

Nor shall I cross beyond this point.

If you will treat my daughters or betray them with other women, the God of

Abraham must be your judge.

We must offer a sacrifice.

Seal our pact.

He's straight ahead of us.

Come on.

We'll take him tomorrow.

We pitch camp here.

But the sun's still high.

We should go on.

We're now in the land of Esau. We go no further till he and I have settled our

differences.

I want you to prepare an offering of gifts.

Select the finest of our lambs and goats, the best of our ewes and she

our very best broadcloth, and prepare a caravan.

Steer in.

I want you to drive it west. Stay here.

Find my brother.

Present him with my gifts.

Tell him where I've been all these years.

Tell him that he is my king and that what you bring shows

my respect and obedience.

How long do we stay here?

Until the gifts are delivered and the messengers return.

Two days there and two days back.

Then we move on.

But why do we wait?

And why should we give everything we've worked for to a brother you haven't seen

in years?

He's been with me every day I've been gone.

I cannot take you to the land God promised us until I make peace with

not?

Once, a long time ago, I wronged Esau.

I endured my trials to prove to God that I wanted to atone, that I learned the

lessons that he set me.

That a man must choose to live by virtue and not by appetite. That he can only

have what is rightfully his.

What he works for and earns by the sweat of his brow.

What he deserves by his good deeds, his devotion to God.

And that the blood of a family is always thicker than water.

That we must be true to each other.

You understand that, but does Esau?

Zerub? Jacob!

What happened?

Why are you back so soon?

Your brother, Esau.

He must have known you were coming.

He'll be here by daybreak with a band of armed men.

Split up into two groups.

Divide the goods and flocks equally.

Then, when I give the order, one group...

We'll follow Rachel and half my sons.

While the others will go with Leah and the rest.

Go. And you, Father, what will you do?

I will know what God intends for me when I see my brother again.

Rachel, take special care of Joseph.

Whatever happens, he must survive.

This I know.

He is the next in line.

Abraham and Isaac.

Save me.

I pray for my brother Esau.

I fear he will come and destroy me, sparing neither mother nor child.

Deliver me so that I can fulfill your promise that my descendants will be

like the sand of the sea beyond all countenance.

Who's there?

not defeat me.

The God of Abraham is with me.

Only he can break me.

I choose.

I won't let go until you bless me. I've not come to bless you but to make sure

that you don't escape. Now let me go.

Not until you bless me. Isn't that why the Lord sent you?

Now give me your blessing.

What is your name?

Jacob. Your name shall no longer be Jacob but Israel because you have

with God as well as with men and you have prevailed.

Esau!

Brother, suddenly I'm his brother again.

Why did you run from me all these years?

I wronged you.

I feared you would take your revenge.

It would have been just.

Even he admits it.

He admits it humbly.

I beg you. Damn you.

I came here to punish you.

I wanted to take your possessions and leave you penniless.

I wanted to take your people and leave you with no one to love you. I have

waited years for this day.

But now I'm here.

I feel the hand of Abraham and Isaac.

I can't harm you.

And these children?

They're the children God has blessed me with. God has blessed you indeed.

Now come with me to Seir.

And live with me in peace.

I sheath my sword.

We need time to rest.

To gather ourselves.

Go on ahead.

We'll soon follow.

Better take shelter.

The storm is coming.

Leaving now.

Why didn't we go with Esau?

Because we aren't going to stay here.

We aren't going to join Esau.

Esau and I must go our separate ways.

Each of us has been promised a mighty nation.

If we live together, it can mean only strife.

And I... We must seek only peace.

There must be a lamp for all nations.

This way!

And Jacob arrived safely at the town of Shechem in Canaan and pitched his tent

to the east of it on a strip of land he purchased from Hamor, prince of Shechem,

for a hundred sheep.

He erected an altar and called it El Elohei Israel, or God, the God of

the name that had been given to him.