Jacob
The son of Isaac, the third of the patriarchs, renamed Israel, and the father of the twelve tribes.
At a glance
- Name
- Jacob
- Also known as
- Israel
- Type
- Person
- Period
- Old Testament
- Appears in
- The book of Genesis
- First appearance
- Genesis 25
- Known for
- The patriarch renamed Israel
Who is Jacob?
Jacob is the younger of the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah, and the third of the three patriarchs. His name is later changed to Israel, and his twelve sons become the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel.
He obtains both his brother Esau's birthright and the blessing their father intended for Esau, then flees to escape Esau's anger. Away from home he marries Leah and Rachel and has his children, before eventually returning and reconciling with Esau.
On the journey home Jacob wrestles through the night with a man who renames him Israel. In his old age he moves his family to Egypt, where his son Joseph has risen to power.
Jacob in the Bible
Jacob and Esau
Isaac and Rebekah have twin sons, Esau and Jacob, who struggle even before birth.
Read Genesis 25 →The stolen blessing
Jacob disguises himself and takes the blessing his father Isaac meant for Esau.
Read Genesis 27 →Jacob's ladder
Fleeing Esau, Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven and God's promise to him.
Read Genesis 28 →Wrestling at Peniel
Returning home, Jacob wrestles until daybreak and is renamed Israel.
Read Genesis 32 →People connected with Jacob
Not to be confused with
- The nation of Israel Jacob is renamed Israel, and the nation that descends from his twelve sons carries that name. In the text, Israel can refer either to the man or to the people descended from him.
Key passages featuring Jacob
These are key passages, not a complete list of every appearance.