Jacob

ACLU
July 14, 2010
Antioch
July 18, 2010

Jacob

Younger of twin sons born to Isaac and Rebekah (Gn 25:24-26). Isaac had prayed for his barren wife, Rebekah, and she conceived the twins, who jostled each other in the womb. She inquired about this of the Lord, who told her that she was carrying two nations and that the older son would serve the younger (v 23). Esau was hairy and red (later he was called Edom, “red,” v 30; 36:1), but Jacob was born holding the heel of his brother, so that he was named Jacob, “he takes by the heel” (cf. Hos 12:3), with the derived meaning “to supplant, deceive, attack from the rear.”

Elwell, Walter A. ;   Beitzel, Barry J.: Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible. Grand Rapids, Mich. : Baker Book House, 1988, S. 1084

Back to Previous Page