Genesis 25:26

26 The second one was born holding on tightly to the heel of Esau, so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when they 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 The time came for her to give birth, and she had twin sons.
25 The first one was reddish, and his skin was like a hairy robe, so he was named Esau.
26 The second one was born holding on tightly to the heel of Esau, so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when they were born.
27 The boys grew up, and Esau became a skilled hunter, a man who loved the outdoors, but Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.
28 Isaac preferred Esau, because he enjoyed eating the animals Esau killed, but Rebecca preferred Jacob.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. jacob: [This name sounds like the Hebrew for "heel."]
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.