There is a song by Damian Marley that refers to "The sleeping sons of Jacob". I looked up 'Sons of Jacob' on Wikipedia and now understand them to represent the 12 tribes of Israel, but I have only heard "sleeping" sons of Jacob in the Damian Marley song.
I am curious to know what the significance of "Sleeping" may be, if anything. Is this a reference to some religious concept?
Having read the lyrics, I'm not convinced this has anything to do with the biblical Jacob at all. There is no other reference, except for an oblique reference to Israel.
If one does assume that this is the Jacob who became Israel (hence Jews only), then the "sleeping sons of Jacob" would probably refer to the lost 10 tribes of Israel. After Israel was invaded by Assyria in 722bc, the northern tribes were dispersed throughout the empire and the known world. After that invasion, only Judah and Benjamin (the remaining two tribes of the Southern kingdom) retained any distinct identity as Jews. Some parts of Africa (Uganda and Ethiopia to name two in particular) claim to be descended from these northern tribes.
The idea that a once great part of western history is alive in Africa could be the spark the writer wishes to blow into full flame, that Africa might "wake up" and play a greater role on the world stage, as it did in the past.
To get back to the Biblical issue, however, it is Abraham- Jacob's grandfather, who is the father of the Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
According to both the Quran and the Torah, Abraham sent out Ishmael, once Isaac was born. Ishmael, and his birth mother Hagar made it to Egypt. Both traditions state that Ishmael was Abraham's firstborn, and Islam posits that Ishmael was also supposed to be the promised son of the Lord. Isaac, the father of the Jews (through Jacob, later renamed Israel) and the Edomites (through Esau) is not a Muslim hero, whereas Ishmael is.
The Bible lists out the sons of Jacob (also known as Israel) in the following verses. These children of Jacob also became the twelve tribes of Israel.
22b Jacob had twelve sons: 23 The sons of Leah: Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. 24 The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin. 25 The sons of Rachel’s servant Bilhah: Dan and Naphtali. 26 The sons of Leah’s servant Zilpah: Gad and Asher. These were the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Paddan Aram.27 Jacob came home to his father Isaac in Mamre, near Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron), where Abraham and Isaac had stayed. 28 Isaac lived a hundred and eighty years. 29 Then he breathed his last and died and was gathered to his people, old and full of years. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him. Genesis: 35:22-27
If this is not what you wanted to know, then I have misunderstood your question. Please let me know if you're looking for something else.
He is referring to Africans and black ppl in the America and the Caribbean who do not know they are the real israelites, more than 90% of "jews" are not the real descendants of Jacob but merely converts. He says yesterday we were kings but who are we today meaning we r the lowest of lows due to disobedience.
Biblically, the sons of Jacob are the children of Jacob, who was renamed "Israel".
However, there is a deeper meaning to the term "Israel" raised by the appearance of the term "spiritual Israel", the Israel of God.
Since the promise to Abraham, that the world would be blessed through him, was passed on to his children, by the clarification that the world would be blessed through his children, one needs to understand that the Bible teaches that the children of Abraham are not identified by flesh, descent or conversion, but by believing God's revelations.
That's why Jesus mentions that He had sheep who belong to another flock. They were people who believed God's revelation either through a formal covenant or through their conscience, but who were not Jews.
As a result, we can understand that the recognised sons of Jacob according to the Bible are people who believe what God reveals to them. They are found among those who are labelled Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, etc., Theists, and are identified by faith, not by possessing Torah, circumcision, or by blood descent.
There is no Biblical reference to sons of Jacob who are asleep.
