Genesis 25:26

26 Then the other twin was born with his hand grasping Esau’s heel. So they named him Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born.

Genesis 25:26 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 25:26

And after that came his brother out
Out of his mother's womb, either by his own strength, or by the help of the midwife: and his hand took hold on Esau's heel;
to pluck him back and get out first; and this was not casual, but was so ordered in Providence, and had a meaning and mystery in it: and his name was called Jacob;
by his parents and others, and that for the above reason, because he took his brother by the heel, which his name has the signification of, and Esau has respect to in ( Genesis 27:36 ) : and Isaac [was] threescore years old when she bare them;
and so it was twenty years after he had been married to her; so long was his faith tried and exercised about the promised seed that was to spring from him.

Genesis 25:26 In-Context

24 And when the time came to give birth, Rebekah discovered that she did indeed have twins!

25 The first one was very red at birth and covered with thick hair like a fur coat. So they named him Esau.

26 Then the other twin was born with his hand grasping Esau’s heel. So they named him Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born.

27 As the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter. He was an outdoorsman, but Jacob had a quiet temperament, preferring to stay at home.

28 Isaac loved Esau because he enjoyed eating the wild game Esau brought home, but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Footnotes

• [a]. Jacob sounds like the Hebrew words for “heel” and “deceiver.”