Meaning
Jacob is a Hebrew proper name associated with “heel” and “supplanter.”
Biblical Usage
In Scripture, Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebekah and the younger twin brother of Esau.
His name is connected in Genesis with his taking hold of Esau’s heel at birth. Isaac later used the related expression “supplanted me” when speaking of Jacob.
God later gave Jacob the name Israel.
Jacob became the father of twelve sons, whose descendants became the twelve tribes of Israel.
Key References
- Genesis 25:21-34
- Genesis 27
- Genesis 28:10-22
- Genesis 32:24-32
- Genesis 35:9-15
- Genesis 49
- Exodus 3:6
- Matthew 1:2
- Luke 3:34
- Romans 9:10-13
- Hebrews 11:21
Related Terms
- Isaac
- Rebekah
- Esau
- Israel
- Abraham