Antisemitism in Biblical History
This is the first article of a new series on “Antisemitism throughout History.” Not a cheery subject, but an important one - especially in Australia today. And what better way for Christians to consider such a theme (or any theme…) than seek out the Scriptures and look at antisemitism in the Bible.
So where would you go in your Bible to find the first antisemite according to Jewish tradition?
If you went to the story of Pharaoh and the Hebrew slaves in Egypt, you would be right… but also wrong!! You would be right because the first antisemite is mentioned in the context of the Jewish Passover. But the one mentioned is someone much earlier in history. In the Haggadah (the booklet that leads Jewish people through their Passover meal) the famous phrase is recorded, “For in every generation they rise up to destroy us.” And then it says this: “Go and learn what Laban the Aramean sought to do to our father Jacob. Pharaoh made his decree only about the males, whereas Laban sought to destroy everything.”
In Jewish teaching, Laban is considered the first antisemite in the Bible.
Rabbi Naftali Berlin explained it this way: “Jacob is the father of all Jews, and Laban is the paradigm of the anti-Semite.” In contrast to the overt antisemitism of Pharaoh, the lesson of Laban is one of latent antisemitism. Initially Laban appeared to be a faithful family friend, looking out for Jacob’s best interests. But as the relationship unfolds, he is exposed as one who will betray in the most despicable ways - can you imagine deliberately being given the sister as your wife?!? (Gen 29:23). By the end, Laban thinks he owns everything Jacob has - even the wages Jacob rightfully earned according to their contract (Gen 31:43).
So let us look to understand what the Jewish sages see: the lessons from Laban the latent antisemite. And remember the context of Passover where the lesson is taught: “for in every generation they rise up to destroy us.” Laban is seen as a precedent, a “paradigm” that can be recognised from generation to generation right through to our day.
Lessons from Laban:
1. Watch out for “friends.”
When friends are actually “friends” the reality is this: they befriend for benefits and then betrayal.
The lesson of Laban reveals this to be true even of the closest to Jacob. Laban was Jacob’s uncle, his father-in-law, grandfather to his children…. but his “friendship” proved to be for the benefits he gained. Laban recognised Jacobs diligence and more importantly, his blessing from God (Gen 30:27). When Laban looked to lose those benefits, “his attitude was no longer friendly” (Gen 31:2,5) and he moved to betrayal. Jacob - after 20 years - finally complained to his wife, “Your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times.” (v7). If it wasn’t for God stepping in, Laban would have moved to violence (also v7).
Laban’s “friendship” was used to benefit himself. He maneuvered to extract more and more. And when his greed was no longer fed, his betrayal betrayed his heinous heart.
This is a lesson the Jewish people have seen through history. I have heard scores of stories, Jewish testimonies, of people who have turned on them in their time of need - and called them antisemitic names that make it clear what is behind the betrayal. So there is an instinctive skepticism among Jewish people that is entirely reasonable. Like Laban, even the uncle, father-in-law and grandfather can betray them.
This is also true on a national level. Jewish people know that regardless how well they are received in a country, eventually their hosts will turn on them. As the former UK Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks notes, “It happened in Egypt after the death of Joseph. It happened under the Greeks and Romans, the Christian and Muslim empires of the Middle Ages, the European nations of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and after the Russian Revolution.”
And now Jewish people in Australia are asking if it is happening here. “Is Australia turning on us? Is it time to uproot our homes? Are our families safe here?” They are carefully tracking the current royal commission into antisemitism to see if their concerns are heard, and if there will be real change.
Or is December 14, 2025 the new paradigm for Jewish people in this country.
2. Watch out for Jealousy
This is eventually exposed in Laban when he realises Jacob has freed himself and his family from Laban’s “friendship”. Laban’s angry outburst reveals his jealousy, “”“The daughters are my daughters, the children are my grandchildren, the flocks are my flocks, and everything that you see is mine.” Laban cannot see Jacob as anything but a servant that works for him to increase his own wealth.
This is a pattern through history. Israel is too successful. Alister Heath, a British journalist for the Daily Telegraph put it this way, “The Jewish people were supposed to disappear a long, long time ago. That’s how the story of exiled, enslaved, hated minorities is supposed to end. But the Jews didn’t disappear. They actually came home, rebuilt their land, revived their language, and brought their dead back to life — in memory, in identity, and in strength.”
Lord Jonathan Sacks again: “Israel in the context of the Middle East is a conspicuously successful minority. It is a small country, a minority; it is successful, and it is conspicuously so. Somehow, in a tiny country with few natural resources, it has outshone its neighbours. The result is envy that becomes anger that becomes hate. Where did it begin? With Laban.”
And in jealousy they try to justify their prejudice through the story of Jacob - he is the deceiver of the previous story isn’t he? (Gen 27) He stole his brother’s birthright and deceived his father. Isn’t that who Jacob is?!? But this is not Jacob’s relationship with Laban. When Jacob arrives on Laban’s doorstep, he pursues honesty even when treated badly. He accepts the deception of being given the wrong wife and works another 7 years for the wife he asked for; he continues to serve Laban while the wages keep changing against him (Gen 31:7) - he even took the losses himself when wild animals attacked Laban’s flock (v39). He faithfully served through Laban’s odious practices for 20 years! (Gen 31:41) And nothing in the text indicates wrongdoing by Jacob during that time. It is not Jacob who causes Laban’s ongoing betrayal - it is Laban’s treacherous heart.
It is simply prejudice that tries to justify antisemitism by portraying Jacob - and “the Jew” - as nothing but a deceiver to be distrusted and stripped of what they have.
This prejudice also claims the opposite. The Jews don’t deserve anything they have… and they deserve whatever punishment they get! This is classic antisemitism.
Jewish commentator Larry Brook wrote this in 2019 - way before any of the recent Middle East wars and violent attacks: “How far is it from “the Jews deserve it because they killed Christ” in early 20th-century Europe to “the Jews deserve it because of what they have been doing to the Palestinians.”
Then he says, “If Iran nuked Tel Aviv, would it be condemned or celebrated on campuses in the U.S.?” Little did he know how many are currently defending the Iranian regime.
Lessons from the Lord
The hatred of antisemitism is spiritual. At its centre is the lie of the Garden of Eden, “Has God really said?” Did he really choose the Jews? Hasn’t God changed his mind? Research the most repeated promise in the Bible and you have your answer….
Central to this spiritual battle is that Jacob/Israel is still wrestling with God (cf. Gen 32:24ff.). God made it clear in the covenant that the people of Israel would find no rest among the nations (Deut 28:25,65) – until they find their rest in Him. And it is God who allows the nations to rage as a witness against themselves of their rage against His sovereign choice. (cf Ps 2) They bear witness by their own actions of the continuing spiritual battle.
“This is what drives the world crazy. Because if Israel is real, if this improbable, ancient, hated nation is somehow still chosen, protected, and thriving, then maybe God isn’t a myth after all. Maybe He’s still in the story.”
Alister Heath, again: “This is what drives the world crazy. Because if Israel is real, if this improbable, ancient, hated nation is somehow still chosen, protected, and thriving, then maybe God isn’t a myth after all. Maybe He’s still in the story.”
So let’s remember the Lord’s lessons that overrule in the story of Laban…
● The Lord’s blessing continues through His covenant (Gen 30:27,30) even when his people are in disobedience and flight like Jacob. I think of the verse in Ephesians 4:7 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." This is true of Christians. It is also true of Israel!
● The Lord protects and directs Israel. The Lord stopped Laban from harming Jacob (Gen 31:29.) Enemies remain to remind Israel of their need to turn to the Lord in the spiritual battle (e.g. Ps 59:11) But the beyond-natural protection of Israel is hard to miss.
● The Lord sees all that is going on (Gen 31:42) and God will vindicate in His time (v42,55).
Jacob still had to go through 20 years of trial and trouble, yet in trusting the Lord’s timing (that often seems way too long to us….) God’s plans prevailed, and man’s prejudice failed.
Watch Out For Part Two in the Series - THE SHOFAR JUNE EDITION
