יַעֲקֹב
Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch
Definition
Jacob is the name of the third Hebrew patriarch, son of Isaac and Rebekah, and twin brother of Esau. His name, meaning 'heel-catcher' or 'supplanter' (Genesis 25:26), foreshadows his early life of deception, as he seizes Esau's birthright (Genesis 25:29-34) and blessing (Genesis 27:1-40). After a transformative encounter with God at Peniel (Genesis 32:22-32), where his name is changed to Israel ('he struggles with God'), Jacob becomes the father of the twelve tribes of the nation Israel. The name 'Jacob' continues to be used for the nation itself, especially in poetic and prophetic literature (e.g., Isaiah 41:8).
Biblical Usage
The name is used 319 times, predominantly in Genesis (over 150 times) narrating his life story. It appears throughout the historical books, often in the formula 'God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.' In the Prophets, 'Jacob' frequently serves as a synonym for the nation of Israel, especially in contexts of judgment and restoration (e.g., Isaiah 40:27, Micah 3:1). In the Psalms, it is used in parallel with 'Israel' in worship (e.g., Psalm 14:7).
Etymology
Derived from the root עָקַב (ʿāqab, H6117), meaning 'to seize by the heel,' 'to circumvent,' or 'to supplant.' The name is a direct play on this root, as Jacob was born grasping his brother Esau's heel (Genesis 25:26). It implies one who follows closely or usurps. Related nouns include עָקֵב (ʿāqēb, H6119), meaning 'heel.'
Semantic Range
Jacob is central to the covenant theology of the Old Testament. His life illustrates God's sovereign election and faithfulness despite human failings (Malachi 1:2-3, Romans 9:10-13). The transition from 'Jacob' (the deceiver) to 'Israel' (one who struggles with God) represents the transformative power of divine encounter and grace. Understanding this name highlights the theme of God fulfilling His promises through flawed individuals, ultimately leading to the Messiah from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10).
In ancient Near Eastern culture, names were deeply significant, often describing character or destiny. Jacob's name, given at birth due to a physical action, defined his early identity as a cunning supplanter within the family structure, where birthright and blessing held immense economic and social weight. His struggle for blessing, though deceptive, was a pursuit of the covenant promise made to his grandfather Abraham.
יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yiśrāʾēl, H3478) — The new name given to Jacob, meaning 'he struggles with God,' used for the patriarch after Genesis 32 and for the nation descended from him.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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