Jacob

Jacob
Actor	Mark Pellegrino
First	"The Incident, Part 1"
Last	"Ab Aeterno"
Episode Count	6
Centric	"The Incident, Part 1" "The Incident, Part 2"
AKA	"Him"
Age	at least 200
Birth	pre-1800's
Death	2007
Death Episode	"The Incident, Part 2"
Place	The Island
Profession	Protector of The Island

"Jacob" redirects here. For other uses of the name Jacob, see Jacob (disambiguation).

Jacob is a mysterious figure of authority on the Island who, according to Ben, is "in charge" of the Island. ("The Incident, Part 1") He also, according to his nemesis, "guarded" the Island from unknown forces. ("The Substitute") Ageless and perhaps possessing certain supernatural abilities, Jacob lived on the Island since at least the 19th century, and recently resided inside the statue of Taweret until his death in 2007. ("LA X, Part 1") Capable of coming and going from the Island, Jacob appears to have had some subtle ability to foresee the future and guide events, purposefully encountering several individuals who later would become survivors of Oceanic Flight 815. In 2007, Jacob was viciously stabbed by Benjamin Linus acting under orders from Jacob's mysterious nemesis. Before being kicked into his own firepit, Jacob's last words were "They're coming." After his death, Jacob continued to appear to Hurley (in what, at first, seemed to be hallucinations) to give him instructions.

References to Jacob

While unseen until the final episode of Season Five, Jacob has been a significant behind-the-scenes presence through much of the series, his existence being mentioned as early as Season Two. Jacob appears to command a great respect among the Others who look to him as a leader who is both adored and feared. Both Mikhail and Ben referred to Jacob as a "great", "brilliant", and "magnificent" man. Jacob has also been referred to as "powerful" and "unforgiving." ("Two for the Road") Occasionally members of the Others have been seen to invoke Jacob's name as an excuse for carrying out certain actions. Jacob is sometimes referred to as "Him."

Jacob does not appear to communicate directly with the Others. Instead he provides instructions or lists he has drawn up for a few select individuals who then relay his commands to the rest of the Others. Richard Alpert implies that Jacob has some way of summoning these select individuals to him when he has orders to impart. Meetings with him are typically conducted alone and only at Jacob's request. Many of the Others do not know where Jacob resides on the Island. ("The Man Behind the Curtain")  ("Follow the Leader")  ("The Incident, Part 1")

Notable references

Jacob's name appears in the Room 23 video.

• Locke tells Richard Alpert that he was sent by Jacob when they meet in 1954 - although he was being less than truthful. ("Jughead")
• Richard Alpert tells a younger Charles Widmore that Jacob wanted the young Ben saved at the Temple. ("Dead Is Dead")
• Ben uses Jacob's name as an excuse for saving baby Alex from death. ("Dead Is Dead")
• Richard notes that his agelessness is a gift from Jacob. ("The Incident, Part 1")
• Ben tells Juliet that Jacob was able to heal her sister's cancer. ("One of Us")
• Ben implies he was sent by Jacob on a mission to bring Locke back to the Others when he was captured by Danielle Rousseau. ("Two for the Road")
• Ben tells Juliet that Jacob wanted Walt in Room 23. ("Room 23")
• During a conversation between some Others, one of Jacob's lists was mentioned by Danny Pickett, who stated that Jack was not on it. ("I Do")
• Jacob's name appears in the Room 23 video. ("Not in Portland")
• On arriving at the Temple, Hurley explains that they were sent by Jacob. ("LA X, Part 1")

Jacob's cabin

A figure seen in Jacob's cabin ("The Man Behind the Curtain")

In Season 3, Benjamin Linus took John Locke to see Jacob at a cabin deep in the jungle. Before arriving at the cabin, Locke discovers a ring of ash surrounding the perimeter. This ash appears identical to that used by the Others to protect the Temple from the Man in Black in Season 6. ("The Man Behind the Curtain")  ("LA X, Part 2")

On entering, Ben and Locke found the room initially appeared empty, but as Locke prepared to leave the Cabin, he heard a voice whisper, "Help me." Angry and believing Ben was deceiving him, Locke turned on his flashlight. Immediately the cabin began to shake, jars of liquid flew across the room and the lamp was knocked over and set aflame. Ben grabbed an apparently empty rocking chair, telling "Jacob" that he had had his fun and needed to stop, before he was thrown against the wall by a mysterious force. In looking back across the room, Locke briefly observed a shadowy figure with shaggy hair and tattered clothing sitting in the chair. ("The Man Behind the Curtain") Ben later confessed that he had never seen Jacob in all his time as leader of the Others. He explained to Locke that he had been putting on an elaborate deception at the cabin but was just as surprised as Locke when the chaos erupted. ("The Incident, Part 1") Previously believed to be Jacob, the identity of this shadowy individual has now been put into question.

Christian Shephard

A figure appearing to be Christian Shephard has been observed on several occasions in Jacob's cabin. In "The Beginning of the End" Hurley discovered the same shaggy person, John Locke saw briefly but alone when he visited with Ben. The same shaggy person was seen in the cabin along with another unidentified individual, an evil eye is shown only looking at Hurley before Hugo aka Hurley runs scared. Later, upon returning to the cabin in "Cabin Fever", Locke encountered Christian, who told him his task was to move the Island. That however was not the same cabin Hugo saw. On this same occasion Christian claimed he could speak on Jacob's behalf. Moments later, Locke discovered Claire was also present, sitting in a dark corner and seeming unconcerned about Aaron's whereabouts.

Much later, the revelation in Season 6 of Claire's connection to the Man in Black raises new questions about Christian and whether he really does speak for Jacob. In "The Incident, Part 1", Ilana also stated that Jacob has not lived in the cabin for a very long time. "Someone else has been using it."

On the Island (1867)

Jacob talks with his nemesis. ("The Incident, Part 1")

In 1867, Jacob was living on the Island in a hidden chamber beneath the statue of Taweret. Here he was seen working on the production of a tapestry with homemade thread. On venturing outside the statue, he encountered a mysterious Man in Black and the two of them proceeded to have a short conversation while watching a ship approaching the Island. The Man in Black accused Jacob of bringing the ship to the Island in an attempt to prove him wrong. Moments later, Jacob's unnamed nemesis asked if Jacob was aware just how badly he wanted him dead. One day, his nemesis declared, he would find a "loophole" and be able to accomplish the deed. ("The Incident, Part 1")

“

JACOB: I take it you're here because of the ship. MAN IN BLACK: I am. How did they find the Island? JACOB: You'll have to ask them when they get here. MAN IN BLACK: I don't have to ask. You brought them here. Still trying to prove me wrong, aren't you? JACOB: You are wrong. MAN IN BLACK: Am I? They come. They fight. They destroy. They corrupt. It always ends the same. JACOB: It only ends once. Anything that happens before that is just progress. MAN IN BLACK: Do you have any idea how badly I want to kill you? JACOB: Yes. MAN IN BLACK: One of these days, sooner or later... I'm going to find a loophole, my friend. JACOB: Well, when you do, I'll be right here.

”

When Richard arrived on the Island aboard Black Rock, he went to kill Jacob on the orders of The Man in Black, who told Richard that Jacob was the Devil. After a brief and violent confrontation, Jacob offered Richard a role as his representative to the people that Jacob would bring to the Island. In exchange, he told Richard that he could have a gift. Jacob touched Richard, conveying an ability to remain ageless and to live forever. Later, Richard returned to the Man in Black and tells him that he couldn't kill Jacob and gives him a white rock, a gift from Jacob. Later on, Jacob joins The Man in Black on a log and hands him a wine bottle he used to describe the Island to Richard. He then asks him if he sent Richard to kill him. The Man in Black tells Jacob that he just wants to get off the Island and asks him to let him go. Jacob tells the Man in Black that, as long as he is alive, that won't happen. The Man in Black says that he'll just kill Jacob, to which Jacob retorts that someone will replace him. The Man in Black then says that he'll just kill them, too. Jacob says that he'll see the Man in Black later, to which the Man in Black replies "sooner than you think".("Ab Aeterno")

Off the Island (1976–2007)

Jacob gives young James Ford a pen. ("The Incident, Part 1")

Capable of coming and going from the Island, Jacob had left the Island on several occasions to meet with certain individuals who would later become or who were passengers on board Oceanic 815. Jacob also met with Ilana and asked her for an unrevealed favor.

In 1976, Jacob visited a young James Ford at the funeral of Mr. Ford and Mary Ford. He spoke briefly with James and gave him a pen, brushing Sawyer's fingers as he did so. The pen was then used by Sawyer as he finished Sawyer's letter.

Sometime in the late 1980s, Jacob visited a convenience store in Iowa where he witnessed a young Kate and Tom Brennan being caught while attempting to steal a lunchbox. Intervening, Jacob offered to pay for the lunchbox instead, and instructed Kate to "be good" before tapping her playfully on the nose.

Jacob offers Jack his Apollo candy bar. ("The Incident, Part 1")

Following an accident during his first major surgery, Jack attempted to purchase an Apollo Candy bar but was thwarted by a stuck vending machine. After a brief argument with his father, Jack was approached by Jacob. Jacob had purchased the next bar -- freeing the one Jack left behind. Jacob inquired if this bar belonged to Jack and handed it over, as he brushed Jack's fingers, and said: "Maybe it just needed a little push."

Jacob was waiting in the reception line after Jin and Sun's wedding. Jacob addressed the newly married couple in Korean, wishing them the best in their marriage, telling them never to take each other for granted, and touched both of them on the side of their arms in an embrace. Confused as to Jacob's identity, both Jin and Sun watched him depart. Jin remarked that Jacob's Korean was excellent.

Jacob reads Everything That Rises Must Converge by Flannery O'Connor. ("The Incident, Part 2")

Jacob reassures a crippled Locke. ("The Incident, Part 2")

In 2000, Jacob sat on a bench outside an apartment complex reading Flannery O'Connor's Everything That Rises Must Converge moments before John Locke was pushed out of a window by his father, suffering the accident that broke his back. Rising unhurriedly, Jacob walked over to Locke's fallen body and gently squeezed Locke's shoulder, saying: "I'm sorry this happened to you." Locke's eyes opened, staring uncomprehendingly at Jacob as he turned and walked away.

At some unknown time, Ilana, injured and heavily bandaged, laid on a bed in a Russian hospital. She was visited by Jacob, whom she seemed to recognize. He spoke to her in Russian initially before changing to English. He requested her help in some unspecified way to which she assented. However, he did not make physical contact with her. ("The Incident, Part 1") ("The Incident, Part 2")

Later Dogen says that he was injured in a car accident while he was driving drunk. This car accident seriously hurt, perhaps even killed his son. While in the hospital Dogen receiveed a visit by an individual claiming to be Jacob. Jacob then told Dogen that he could save his son; however, if he did that, Dogen had to come to the Island to do a job for Jacob, and never see his son again. Dogen accepted the offer. ("Sundown")

In 2005, Sayid and Nadia were walking three blocks from the intersection of North La Brea Avenue and Santa Monica Boulevard in Los Angeles, discussing how to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. As they started to cross the street, Nadia was rummaging in her purse and Sayid was stopped by Jacob, who asked him for directions. While out in the middle of the crosswalk, Nadia turned to tell Sayid that she had found her sunglasses and was hit and killed by a car that then fled the scene of the accident. As Sayid looked on in horror, Jacob pats him on the shoulder.

Jacob instructs Hurley to board Ajira Flight 316. ("The Incident, Part 2")

Sometime in late 2007, Hurley was released from Los Angeles County Jail and went to get a taxi. After Hurley got in the cab, he noticed Jacob in the back seat with a guitar case next to him. Stating he would only be going a few blocks, Jacob offered to share the cab with Hurley. Engaging in conversation with Hurley, Jacob asked why he wouldn't return to the Island. He suggested that Hurley's "curse" of seeing dead people might actually be looked upon as a blessing instead; "Being able to continue to communicate with those we've lost is a gift", Jacob said. Jacob informed Hurley that to return to the Island, he only needs be on board Ajira Flight 316 departing in 24 hours. Jacob then emphasized that it is Hurley's choice, and touched him on the chest. As Jacob stepped out of the cab, Hurley called to him that he had forgotten his guitar. Before departing, Jacob responded: "It's not my guitar." ("The Incident, Part 1") ("The Incident, Part 2")

On the Island (2007)

Death

In 2007, after the crash of Ajira Airways Flight 316, the seemingly resurrected Locke revealed his plans to kill Jacob. The false Locke told Ben that this task would not be easy, but that after Jacob's death "things will change." With Richard's help, Locke and Ben entered the hidden chamber in the foot of the statue to find Jacob sitting in an old rocking chair observing them. Jacob recognized Locke immediately as his old nemesis, stating that he had "found his loophole."

Jacob falls against Ben after being stabbed and touches Ben's arm. ("The Incident, Part 2")

“

ENEMY: Hello Jacob. JACOB: Well you found your loophole. ENEMY: Indeed I did. And you have no idea what I've gone through to be here.

”

In a brief but tense conversation, Jacob told Ben that he had a choice before him: to follow through on "Locke's" instructions or to leave. An emotional Ben confronted Jacob - asking questions about why he had been ignored by Jacob for so many years on the Island. "What about me?" Ben asks. Jacob gravely looked back at Ben, and said quietly: "What about you?" Ben's temper flared and he responded by stabbing Jacob brutally twice in the chest. According to Miles up until the moment Ben had stabbed him, Jacob was hoping that he was "wrong" about Ben. (Dr. Linus) At this point, Jacob collapsed onto Ben. Dropping to his knees and coughing up blood, Jacob warned his nemesis: "They're coming." His nemesis looked slightly alarmed, then kicked Jacob into the fire pit, which immediately set him completely ablaze. ("The Incident, Part 2") Moments later his body had completely disappeared. ("LA X, Part 1")

Post-death

Jacob gives Hurley further instructions. ("LA X, Part 1")

An hour after his murder, Jacob appeared to Hurley in the jungle. Although Hurley recognized Jacob from their previous encounter off the Island, he was unaware of Jacob's identity. Jacob informed Hurley of his death, attributing it to an "old friend who had grown tired of my company." Seeing Sayid dying nearby, Jacob told Hurley that he must be taken to the Temple if he was to be saved. Jacob further noted that the survivors would be safe there. Although Hurley did not know where the Temple was, Jacob assured him that Jin did, and told Hurley to mention the science expedition. He then reminded Hurley to bring the guitar case. Upon Jin's arrival, Jacob seemingly vanished.

Later, Hurley informed Dogen and Lennon of Jacob's death, causing them to leap into action to fortify and secure the Temple. Several Others were observed creating ash circles around the periphery indiating knowledge of the Man in Black and viewing that they were under threat. A signal flare was set off alerting the remaining Others at the statue of Taweret. ("LA X, Part 1")

Jacob appears to Hurley at the Temple. ("Lighthouse")

Later, Ilana collected some of Jacob's ashes upon entering the statue. ("The Substitute")

On entering the pool room at the Temple, Hurley again encountered Jacob, who instructed him to take Jack to the lighthouse. At the lighthouse, after Jack had destroyed the signal mirror, Jacob appeared a third time, informing Hurley he had wanted Jack brought here as there is something important on the Island that he had to do. Jacob also informed Hurley he had wanted the two of them removed from the Temple as something very bad was about to happen there. Hurley wanted to go back to warn the people at the Temple, but Jacob told him it was already too late. ("Lighthouse")

Jacob's touch

In "Dr. Linus", Richard states that if a person is touched by Jacob, it is considered a gift but sometimes can be looked upon as a curse. In Richard's case, Jacob somehow gifted him the ability to remain ageless and effectively immortal, and unable to die by his own hand. Richard notes that someone else can do it for him, however. Jack later discovers that he also has been gifted with the inability to commit suicide. In "The Substitute" the Man in Black describes an ability Jacob has that can somehow change an individual's destiny or "push" them onto a specific path - and in Sawyer's case, thereby bringing him to the Island. The Man in Black notes that choices that you thought were your own, really weren't choices at all.

The only individuals that have been seen to have been touched by Jacob in the series are: Kate, Sawyer, Locke, Jack, Sayid, Hurley, Richard Alpert and Sun and Jin, together

• Arguably Ben may also have been touched by Jacob moments after being stabbed in "The Incident, Part 2".
• Jacob was not observed to touch Ilana at the hospital. In fact, he was wearing black gloves during this encounter, perhaps as a precaution against doing so.
  • In the Lost: On Location special feature on the season 5 DVD, Carlton Cuse notes this fact, while Damon Lindelof questions whether Jacob touched everyone he met.

Candidates

Some of the names on Jacob's list of Candidates. The picture to the left is a picture of Smokey's cave where he had a similar list just like Jacob. Jacob's list was in the lighthouse. What's interesting here is that while Kate's name was crossed off already and she wasn't dead, Flocke crossed his own name off, which that of the body he was claiming, John Locke who died as Jeremy Bentham off the island, strangled by Ben.("The Substitute")

According to the Man in Black, Jacob has spent many years reviewing "candidates" to replace him as guardian of the Island. In "The Substitute", the Man in Black brings Sawyer to the Cliffside cave and directs his attention to the names of many individuals scrawled across the walls and ceiling. The Man in Black calls these names the list of Jacob's candidates. The majority of the names have been crossed out - and according to Ilana, as of 2007, there are only six candidates remaining. ("Dr. Linus") The six remaining appear to be the very same individuals that Jacob was shown to touch in "The Incident, Part 2" and "The Incident, Part 2": Sawyer, Jack, Hurley, Sayid, Locke, and either Sun or Jin.

• While not shown on-screen, Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof stated that Kate Austen's name is also on the cave wall, but is crossed off.
• The Man in Black crosses out Locke's name on the cave wall.
• A number, the highest which has been observed being 343, is inscribed next to the name of each candidate. The numbers of the remaining six candidates correspond to The Numbers.

Trivia

General

• The translation for "Jacob" in Hebrew is "he who holds by the heels". Jacob lives inside the foot of a statue.
• In the Bible, Jacob is also known as Israel, which can be translated into "he who fights with God".
• Jacob's episode count is 5 (as of "Lighthouse"), although he may also have had an appearance in "The Man Behind the Curtain" and "The Beginning of the End". A mysterious individual was observed in the latter two episodes, whose identity is now in question.
• Ben claims in "The Man Behind the Curtain" that Jacob does not like technology, and Jacob has been seen to make use of only simple mechanical devices.
• Jacob says the words "I'm sorry" to about half the characters he meets off-Island: Sawyer (in reference to his parents' deaths), Ilana (an apology for not arriving sooner), Sayid (introducing a request for help), and John (in sympathy). He does not say these words to Kate, Sun, Jin, Jack, or Hurley.
• Out of the main characters, we are certain that Jacob has met Richard, Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Sun, Jin, Sayid, Hurley, Ilana, Ben and Locke.
• In ABC's official recaps he was referred to as "the spiritual guru of the Island" and "a spiritual presence that has been on the island for centuries".
• The clip show "Lost: Final Chapter" referred to the Island as "His home" and as being "in his command". It further confirmed that the conflict between him the Man in Black had rules preventing them from "harming one another".
• In an interview Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse gave to Entertainment Weekly's Jeff Jensen and Dan Snierson prior to the Season 5 finale, Lindelof noted that the episode would be very "touching", a reference to Jacob notably touching the Oceanic 815 survivors when he crosses paths with them.
• In November 2009, executive producer Damon Lindelof stated that, regarding the scene in "Pilot, Part 2" where Locke explains to Walt the premise of backgammon using the concept of light and dark, he and fellow co-creator J.J. Abrams had planned for those two sides to eventually be personified by two individuals (in reference to Jacob and the Man in Black). [1]
• In the opening scene in which Jacob was spinning thread for his tapestry, it is briefly shown that he is wearing Nomadic brand sandals. ("The Incident, Part 1")
• Jacob is one of the six characters to have a flashback on his first appearance. The other five are Jack, Frank, Miles, Charlotte and Juliet. He is also the second of only two characters to have a centric episode on his first appearance, the first being Jack in "Pilot, Part 1".
• After Jacob's departure, Hurley kept the guitar case, and brought it with him on Ajira Flight 316. The guitar case also traveled with him to 1977. It contained Jacob's ankh, within which was hidden what Dogen implies is a list of the candidates. ("LA X, Part 2")
• Jacob is a gifted polyglot. He is able to speak and understand Korean, English, Russian, Latin, and Japanese. He probably understands the Greek text and the Egyptian hieroglyphs written on his tapestry as well.

Production notes

• Jacob was confirmed to be "him" in the 3/20/07 Official Lost Podcast.
• When Jacob finally was cast for "The Incident, Parts 1 & 2" the casting call described him as "Jason. Any ethnicity, late 30s-60s. Former soldier. A leader of men. Smart but more than that – he is wise. Strong and straightforward. The words he says are always listened to and they carry gravitas. Looking for someone very interesting and very special for this role..."

See also

• Jacob's cabin
• Jacob's chamber
• Jacob's faction
• Jacob's knife
• Jacob's nemesis
• Jacob's painting
• Jacob's tapestry
• Jacob's lighthouse
• Jacob's ankh

Unanswered questions

Unanswered questions
Do not answer the questions here. Keep the questions open-ended and neutral: do not suggest an answer. More details...

For fan theories about these unanswered questions, see: Jacob/Theories

General

• Who or what was Jacob?
• How had he been bringing people to the Island?
• What powers or abilities did he possess?
  • Why was a loophole necessary to kill Jacob?
  • How did Jacob possess foreknowledge of events to come?
  • Did Jacob heal Dogen's son of his injuries?
  • Did Jacob cure Rachel's cancer?
• How did he come and go from the Island?
• Did Jacob dislike technology?

History

• What is Jacob's history on the Island?
• How did he choose who to bring to the Island?
• What issues did he have with The Man in Black?
• How did Jacob come to command the Others?
  • Why is only the leader of the Others permitted to talk to Jacob?
  • Why did Jacob refuse to meet with Ben?
• How did Jacob draw up his lists?
• Was Richard the only Other who knew where to find Jacob?

Jacob's cabin

• What was Christian's connection, if any, to Jacob?
• Who was the shadowy figure seen in "The Man Behind the Curtain"?
  • Whose voice did Locke hear?
  • Why did objects start flying around in the cabin?
• Who did Hurley see in "The Beginning of the End"?

Recent events

• What was Jacob's relationship with Ilana?
• How did he recognize the Man in Black in Locke's form?