Jacob

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Hebrew Yaʿaqōb (“he grasps the heel,” also linked with “supplanter”), reflecting his birth narrative (Gen 25:26)
• Period/Era: Patriarchal Period
• Main References: Genesis 25–50
• Key Connections: Son of Isaac and Rebekah; twin of Esau; husband of Leah and Rachel; father of the twelve sons associated with Israel’s tribes; recipient of covenant promises first given to Abraham

Who was Jacob?

Jacob was a patriarch in Genesis whose life is tied to the continuation of the Abrahamic family line.
He received the name “Israel” after a decisive encounter at the Jabbok (Gen 32:28).
His household became the ancestral origin point for the tribes of Israel.
His story is set largely in Canaan, Paddan-aram, and later Egypt.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Obtained Esau’s birthright and later received Isaac’s blessing, shaping the family inheritance line (Gen 25:29–34; 27:1–29).
• Event 2: Experienced the Bethel revelation where God reaffirmed covenant promises regarding land and descendants (Gen 28:10–22).
• Event 3: Wrestled at the Jabbok and was renamed Israel, marking a turning point in identity and lineage (Gen 32:22–32).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Jacob’s life illustrates how Israel’s tribal origins and covenant lineage emerged through complex family relationships and divine promise.

Key Verse

“Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” — Genesis 32:28, ESV