Ancestor of the Twelve Tribes of Israel in the Hebrew Bible
The Hebrew Bible records that Jacob was the grandson of Abraham and son of Isaac, who once traded a bowl of lentil stew for his brother Esau’s birthright and, by a stratagem, obtained his father’s blessing; later he wrestled all night with a messenger of God and was given the name "Israel" (meaning "one who strives with God"). He fathered twelve sons and became ancestor of the twelve tribes of Israel, Joseph being among his most beloved. Jacob’s life, woven with scheming, flight, reconciliation, and blessing, makes him one of the most fully drawn patriarchs of the Hebrew Bible.
On his way home, Jacob wrestled alone all night with a mysterious messenger, and by dawn neither had prevailed; unable to overcome him, the messenger touched the socket of Jacob’s hip and put it out of joint, yet Jacob would not let go, insisting on a blessing. The messenger renamed him "Israel," saying, "you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed."
Sleeping in the open on his flight, Jacob dreamed of a ladder set on the earth with its top reaching heaven, God’s messengers ascending and descending on it, and God promising above it to give that land to his descendants. Waking, Jacob marveled, "how awesome is this place; this is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."
Below are how modern works borrow or reinterpret this name or story — not the original material. The two differ, so keep them apart.
That email didn’t look right? Free · unsubscribe anytime · Privacy