Why did Jacob love Joseph more than any of his other 11 sons? It says that he loved Joseph more because he was born to him of old age, but how does that make him love Joseph more?
Fathers often have a special place in their hearts for their youngest children simply because they’re the youngest and he realizes there won’t be any more coming. And when they have a son in their old age, it makes them feel younger.
In Jacob’s case Joseph was also the first born son of the only wife he really loved, Rachael. Jacob had 10 older sons and a daughter, but all were from other wives. He had waited a long time for a child from Rachael, and when Joseph was finally born, he quickly became Jacob’s favorite, even though Rachael subsequently gave him another son, Benjamin.