Although Lehi speaks directly to Jacob, he means his comments for the larger group, since he later says: “I have spoken these few words unto you all, my sons,… [with] none other object save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls” (2 Ne. 2:30). Thus, Lehi is continuing to teach his wayward sons important spiritual information. Laman and Lemuel were no doubt already restive under their father’s lengthy lecture enumerating their faults. No doubt they had already ceased listening to words directed at them; but, Lehi hopes, they might hear what he said to their brother.
This description also makes it clear that the gathering is at least a semi-public one. While no women or children are mentioned at this point, Lehi specifically blesses the sons and daughters of Laman, Lemuel, the sons of Ishmael, and Sam (2 Ne. 4:3, 9–11). It seems that the clan was gathered around the patriarch, with the individuals receiving the blessing stepping to a prominent place in turn. At the only other Book of Mormon example of a father blessing his sons, all of the sons are likewise present (Alma 36–42).
Lehi describes Jacob’s place in the family. As the first-born in the wilderness, he spent his childhood in the desert and never knew the wealth that his brothers could not forget. Since Jacob has suffered because of Laman and Lemuel’s “rudeness,” he no doubt sided with Lehi and Nephi. Certainly, he sided with Nephi during the family split following Lehi’s death and then became religious head of the community and prophet after Nephi’s death.