The Book of Jacob

[Gr.Iakobos/Jacobus"Jacob"]

James is a transliteration of the Hebrew Yaaqob"yah-ak-obe" (Hebrew Strong's number 3290)and the Greek Iakbob,"ee-ak-obe," (Strong's number 2384) Translator then restricted Jacob for the OT and James for the NT. James was the name of the "English King" under who's authority the KJV of the Bible was translated, but this name is not found in Scripture.

It should be the book of Jacobus.

Courtesy of James Earl Jones(Bible Audio)

Background:Jacob may have been Jesus's brother who was also the first leader of the church in Jerusalem.It could be the first of the NT letters to be written, and it is very practical. The themes are:if we say we Christians;discrimination of any kind is wrong,as is oppression of the poor and the weak;Christians should be self-controlled,specially in what they say

Author:Jacob,half-brother of Jesus(Mt13:55)

Date and Location:Probably cAD45,from Jerusalem,where Jacob ministered

Recipients:Jew Christians scattered among nations(1:1)who were Jacob's brothers and sisters and had suffered persecution(1:2Ac8:1-4)

Purpose:Encourage its Jews Christians during a time of suffering and to address various issues related to their faith

Unique Features:

-Letter reads like a sermon notes on various topics

-warm and fatherly in tone

-Practical rather than doctrinal

-It draws rich imagery from nature(1:10,11;3:3-8,11,12;4:14)

-It draws spiritual lessons from OT people

Comparison:

*Prov.-many of Jacob wise sayings its tone is similar to that of Proverbs.

*Heb.-both are written for Jews Christians. Heb. emphasizes doctrine;Jacob.,emphasizes deeds that grow out of doctrine.

Abbreviations:Jas./Ja

MV:Jas1:3,4

Bib1Yr:Heb9Christ