Bereshis 25:26

26 And after that came out his brother, and his yad was grasping on akev Esav; and shmo was called Ya’akov; and Yitzchak was threescore shanah when she bore them.

Bereshis 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.

Bereshis 25:26 In-Context

24 And when her days were fulfilled to be delivered, hinei, there were twins in her womb.
25 And the first came out admoni (red) all over like a hairy garment; and they called shmo Esav.
26 And after that came out his brother, and his yad was grasping on akev Esav; and shmo was called Ya’akov; and Yitzchak was threescore shanah when she bore them.
27 And the nearim grew: and Esav was a skilled hunter, an ish sadeh; and Ya’akov was an ish tam (quiet man), dwelling in ohalim.
28 And Yitzchak loved Esav, because he did eat of his wild game; but Rivkah loved Ya’akov.
The Orthodox Jewish Bible fourth edition, OJB. Copyright 2002,2003,2008,2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International. All rights reserved.