Genesis 25:26

26 After this, his brother came out grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. ^[a] And 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 When her time came to give birth, there were indeed twins in her womb.

25 The first one came out red, covered with hair like a fur coat; so they named him Esau.

26 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.

27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man who stayed at home.

28 Because Isaac had a taste for wild game, he loved Esau; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Footnotes

• [a]. Jacob means he grasps the heel or he deceives.