Keraia
Genesis 25

Genesis 25:26

Jacob and Esau · Genesis 25:19–28
Read Genesis 25

Translations

Modern
After this, his brother came out grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. And Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born.
Traditional
And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau’s heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.
Literal
And afterward his brother came out, and his hand was grasping at the heel of Esau, and he called his name Jacob. And Isaac was a son of sixty years when she bore them.
Latin
Sexagenarius erat Isaac quando nati sunt ei parvuli.

Original

Hebrew
English
After this, his brother came out grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. And Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born.

Notes

Genesis 25:26

The name Jacob (Hebrew ya‘aqob, from Hebrew ‘aqeb, “heel, footprint”) was originally positive, meaning “protect” (like a rear guard), but it took on the negative meaning of “heel grabber” or “deceiver” in the context of Jacob’s deceptive, grasping, usurping character (see 27:36).

Genesis 25:24–26

When the twins were born, the unusual circumstances inspired each boy’s name and hinted at what would happen to them in the future.

Genesis 25:19–26

Jacob’s struggle to be greater than his brother began before the twins were born (see Hosea 12:3).

Theme notes and profiles

Esau Isaac Jacob Rebekah Symbolic Numbers

Events

Parallels

Malachi 1:1–5 Romans 9:6–29

People

Esau: Isaac's firstborn son; sold birthright to Jacob; became Edom Isaac: Son of Abraham; father of Jacob and Esau Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Glossary

Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) Birthright Chronology of the Bible (Old Testament) Ebla Tablets Esau Family Life and Relations Genesis, Book of Jacob Meaning of Names in the Bible Mishma Nathanael Patriarchs, Period of the Rebecca, Rebekah

Topics

Children were Named: from Circumstances Connected with Their Birth Esau: Birth of Isaac: The Miraculous Son of Abraham: Esau and Jacob Born To Jacob: Son of Isaac, and the Twin Brother of Esau Rebekah (Rebecca): Mother of Esau and Jacob Twins: Jacob and Esau