This chapter in the Book of Mormon is a bonus. There is no doubt but what Jacob was giving his final farewell in the previous chapter. But before he died, Jacob seems to have felt compelled to include a sweeping chapter of very important historical events which occurred in his final years. This turns out to be a scriptural treasure. The significance of this chapter may be better appreciated when we remind ourselves that Jacob was born during Lehi's trek through the wilderness around 598 B.C. and that he seems to have lived until approximately 500 B.C. This is supported by the fact that Jacob's son, Enos, is described as having the records clear down to 420 B.C.,1 and since Enos was a mature man when he received the records this would mean that Jacob must have been nearly 100 years old when he turned the plates over to Enos. Apparently this seventh chapter was written when Jacob was nearly 100 years old.
Jacob says that after some years had passed away following his recording of chapter 6, there came a brilliant apostate personality in among the Nephites named Sherem.