- For other uses, see Jacob (disambiguation).
Jacob was a mysterious figure of authority and is the spiritual guru of the Island who, according to Ben, was "in charge" of the Island. The Man in Black mockingly stated Jacob "protected" the Island from "nothing". Ageless and perhaps possessing 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. Capable of coming from and going to 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 Ben, who had been manipulated into doing so by the Man in Black. Before being kicked into his own fire pit, Jacob's last words were, "They're coming." After his death, Jacob appeared to Hurley, giving instructions.
On the Island
Ancient times
When Jacob speaks with Richard, he says that he has been bringing people to the Island for many years, and that the people he'd brought are now all dead. Jacob claims that the nature of his bringing these people is a test to determine whether or not they can make the right choices. Richard tells Jacob that he should intervene and help them, because otherwise, the Man in Black will. It is unclear how long Jacob had been doing this.
1867
Jacob talks with his nemesis. ("The Incident, Part 1")
Jacob was living on the Island in a hidden chamber beneath the statue of Taweret. Here he worked on the production of a tapestry. One morning, as Jacob ate breakfast outside the statue, the Man in Black approached him. The two had a short conversation while watching a ship some distance off the Island. The Man in Black accused Jacob of bringing the ship to the Island in a further attempt to prove him wrong, to which Jacob merely replied: "You are wrong." The man asked Jacob if he was aware how badly he wanted to kill him. Later, the man declared he would find a "loophole" and be able to accomplish the deed. Jacob replied by saying when that day came the Man in Black would know where to find him. ("The Incident, Part 1")
Jacob explains the function of the Island to Richard. ("Ab Aeterno")
When Richard Alpert arrived on the Island aboard the Black Rock, he first encountered the Man in Black, who told Richard that Jacob was the Devil. The Man in Black also claimed that Jacob had stolen his body. The Man in Black asked Richard to kill Jacob. Richard agreed and went out to find and kill Jacob, armed with a knife provided by the Man in Black and forewarned to strike before Jacob could speak. After a brief and violent confrontation, Jacob refuted the Man in Black's claims. He portrayed the Island as a cork which stoppers a jug of wine, the wine representing evil that could escape to the world. He also revealed that he has brought many people to the Island, all of whom had died. While not offering specifics on their fates, Jacob lamented that he expected any of those people to be able to discern between good and evil without his intervention. Jacob offered Richard a role as his representative to new people that Jacob would bring to the Island, allowing him a level of anonymous intervention.
Jacob handsthe Man in Black "something to pass the time". ("Ab Aeterno")
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 to say that he couldn't do what he agreed to and gave him a white rock, a gift from Jacob.
Shortly after, Jacob approached the Man in Black and handed him the wine bottle he used to describe the Island to Richard. He asked the Man in Black if he had sent Richard to kill him. The Man in Black told Jacob that he only wanted to leave the Island and requested Jacob let him go. Jacob replied that as long as he was alive that would not happen. The Man in Black declared that he would kill Jacob, to which Jacob replied that someone would replace him. The Man in Black's response was that he would just kill them, too. Jacob then took his leave, saying that he would see the Man in Black later, to which the Man in Black replied "sooner than you think". ("Ab Aeterno")
Off the Island (1976–2007)
Jacob gives young James Ford a pen. ("The Incident, Part 1")
Jacob had left the Island on several occasions to meet with certain individuals who would later become or who would be passengers on board Oceanic 815. Jacob also met with Ilana and asked her to protect the remaining six candidates. ("Ab Aeterno")
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 attempting to steal a lunchbox. Jacob offered to pay for the lunchbox, 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 the 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 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 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 casually, 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 recognized. He spoke to her in Russian initially before changing to English. He asked that she protect the six remaining candidates, to which she assented. ("The Incident, Part 1") ("The Incident, Part 2") ("Ab Aeterno") Though he did not make physical contact with her on screen, the continuation of their conversation revealed Ilana to, suddenly, be apparently without bandages and healed of her injuries. ("Ab Aeterno")
Jacob watches with Sayid as Nadia is hit by a car. ("The Incident, Part 2")
In the temple, Dogen claimed that he was once injured in a car accident while driving drunk. This car accident seriously hurt his son. While in the hospital, Dogen was visited by an individual claiming to be Jacob. Jacob then told Dogen that he could save his son; as long as Dogen came to the Island to accept 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 crossed 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 immediately went into a taxi. When he got in, Hurley 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 in order to return to the Island, he needs to be on board Ajira Flight 316, which was 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, telling 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. 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")
| “ |
MAN IN BLACK: Hello Jacob. |
” |
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 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 and touched his arm. 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") Only a few moments later, there appeared to be no trace of his body other than ashes. ("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, Hurley could no longer see Jacob.
Later, Hurley informed Dogen and Lennon of Jacob's death, who leaped into action and began fortifying and securing the Temple. Several Others were observed creating ash circles around the periphery, indicating knowledge of the Man in Black and 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")
Following Ilana's death at the beach camp, Hurley searches through her belongings and finds the pouch containing Jacob's ashes. He then takes the ashes into his possession. ("Everybody Loves Hugo")
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, yet insists He never tells anyone what to do. 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 witnessed Christian in the cabin, along with another unidentified individual. Later, upon returning to the cabin in "Cabin Fever", Locke encountered Christian, who told him his task was to move the Island. 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."
Jacob's touch
In "Dr. Linus", Richard states that if a person is touched by Jacob, it is considered a gift. In Richard's case Jacob somehow bestowed upon him the ability to remain ageless and effectively immortal, and unable to die by his own hand. Richard tells Jack that he could kill him, however. In "The Substitute" the Man in Black describes an ability of Jacob that can somehow change an individual's destiny or "push" them onto a specific path - in the case of the Candidates a path which brought them to the Island.
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, Ben and Sun and Jin, together
Jacob falls against Ben after being stabbed and touches Ben's arm. ("The Incident, Part 2")
- Jacob was not observed to touch Ilana when they met at the hospital.
- 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.
- In the flashback presented in "Ab Aeterno", Ilana quickly goes from injured and heavily bandaged to apparently healed and sitting upright in bed, implying Jacob healed her between scenes.
- It is unknown how much time has passed between these two scenes.
As seen in "Ab Aeterno", Jacob first engages in fisticuffs with Richard before he discusses giving him a gift. After Richard declares he wants to live forever Jacob reaches over and grasps Richard's shoulder. This indicates that Jacob's touch bestows a gift only when it is his intent. Richard is also wrapped in a blanket over his clothes, which indicates that Jacob's touch is not affected by layers of clothing.
Candidates
Some of the names on Jacob's list of Candidates. ("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 appeared to be the very same individuals that Jacob was shown to touch in "The Incident, Part 1" and "The Incident, Part 2": Sawyer, Jack, Hurley, Sayid, Locke, and either Sun or Jin.
- Sawyer 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
- Jacob was the thirtieth character to ever have a flashback.
- 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 6 (as of "Ab Aeterno"), although he may also have had an appearance in "The Man Behind the Curtain" and "The Beginning of the End". A mysterious individual, whose identity is now in question, was observed in the latter two episodes. These mysterious appearances were not portrayed by Mark Pellegrino.
- 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, Jacob has been shown to have met Richard, Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Sun, Jin, Sayid, Hurley, Ilana, Ben, the Man in Black, and Locke.
- In the ABC episode recap for "The Incident, Part 1", Jacob is referred to as the "Man in White". [1]
- 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). [2]
- The Man In Black referred to Jacob as "the Devil", interestingly, Mark Pellegrino (Jacob) currently plays the Devil in the show "Supernatural". One of the current storylines is about the protagonists trying to imprison the Devil again, using rings the Four Horsemen wear, one of which, War, is played by Titus Welliver (The Man In Black). In this show, the Devil is the god of all demon-kind, who's true forms are that of electromagnetic clouds of black smoke emanating light.
- 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") [source needed]
- 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..."[1]
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 |
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- For fan theories about these unanswered questions, see: Jacob/Theories
General
- What powers or abilities did he possess?
- 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?
- Why was a loophole necessary to kill Jacob?
- Why was it so important to Jacob that he prove the Man in Black wrong about human nature?
- How did Jacob keep the Man In Black on the Island?
History
- What was Jacob's history on the Island?
- How did he choose whom to bring to the Island?
- Why was 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?
- What was Jacob's relationship with Ilana?
Jacob's cabin
- 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"?
References
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