Genesis 25:26 kjv

And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.

Genesis 25:26 nkjv

Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

Genesis 25:26 niv

After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau's heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.

Genesis 25:26 esv

Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau's heel, so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

Genesis 25:26 nlt

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 verses

Genesis 25 26 Meaning

Genesis 25:26 records the second twin's birth to Isaac and Rebekah. As he emerged, his hand clutched Esau's heel, a striking physical detail that led to his naming: Jacob, meaning "heel-grabber" or "supplanter." This action prophetically foreshadowed his future character and actions concerning his brother Esau, including his obtaining of the birthright and the blessing through deceptive means. The verse also notes Isaac's age at this momentous birth, sixty years old, underscoring the miraculous nature of these long-awaited offspring.

Genesis 25 26 Context

Genesis chapter 25 details the passing of Abraham, the families of Ishmael and Isaac, and significantly, the birth of Esau and Jacob. Leading up to this verse, Rebekah experiences tumultuous struggles within her womb. When she inquires of the Lord, she receives a profound prophecy in Genesis 25:23: "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other; the older shall serve the younger." This prophecy establishes the divine context for the extraordinary birth of the twins. The physical action of Jacob grabbing Esau's heel is therefore not mere coincidence but a powerful sign, visibly linking his emergence to this earlier divine declaration, highlighting God's pre-determined choice that defied the cultural norm of primogeniture (the right of the firstborn). Historically, naming children based on birth circumstances or prophetic significance was common in the ancient Near East, adding a layer of immediate understanding for the original audience.

Genesis 25 26 Word analysis

• "After that his brother came out,": Signifies Jacob's emergence immediately following Esau. It underscores the concept of twins, but also hints at Jacob's subsequent position in relation to Esau's initial claim.
• "and his hand took hold on Esau's heel;": This is a direct physical action at birth.
  • "hand": Hebrew: יָד (yad). The emphasis on the "hand" suggests agency and a deliberate action, however embryonic, in seizing or grasping.
  • "took hold on": Hebrew: אָחַז (akhaz), meaning to grasp, seize, take hold of, hold fast. This word carries a strong connotation of securing something, even forcefully or with determination. Its usage here, in the context of a newborn's reflex, is extraordinary and lends itself to prophetic interpretation.
  • "Esau's heel": Hebrew: עָקֵב ('aqev). The heel is the most vulnerable part of the foot. To "grasp the heel" symbolically represents a lower or surreptitious attempt to trip, displace, or undermine another. This act gave rise to Jacob's name.
• "and his name was called Jacob.": This statement ties the event directly to his naming.
  • "Jacob": Hebrew: יַעֲקֹב (Ya'akov). Derived from the word for "heel" ('aqev), and the verb "to seize by the heel" or "supplant" ('aqav). His name directly foreshadows his character and actions—a supplanter or one who trips up another, as clearly voiced by Esau in Gen 27:36.
• "And Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them.": Provides chronological context, emphasizing the miracle.
  • "threescore years old": This is sixty years old. This age emphasizes that Isaac, like his father Abraham, was well past the typical child-bearing age, highlighting the miraculous nature of God fulfilling His covenant promise of many descendants.

Words-group analysis:

• "his hand took hold on Esau's heel": This phrase describes a literally uncommon birth event. Biblically and culturally, it served as a clear marker of the twin's identity and future path. It is both a physical description and a prophetic sign. This unusual physical detail prefigures Jacob’s later acts of ‘heeling’ or ‘supplanting’ Esau for the birthright (Gen 25:29-34) and the blessing (Gen 27). The very act of his birth already announces his defining character flaw and divine purpose.

• "his name was called Jacob": Naming was profoundly significant in ancient Israel. Names often reflected identity, destiny, or the circumstances of birth. Jacob's name explicitly confirms the meaning embedded in his birth action, linking the physical act to his future reputation. This highlights God's sovereignty, as He ordains both the circumstances of birth and the naming that speaks to future events and character.

Genesis 25 26 Bonus section

The story of Jacob, initially named for his deceptive nature, highlights a recurring theme in the Bible: God's ability to use imperfect individuals for His divine purposes, and His power to transform them. Jacob's wrestling with God (Gen 32:22-32) leads to a name change to Israel ("strives with God," or "God rules") and a physical mark of humility (his limping). This demonstrates that God works through fallen humanity, not condoning sin, but patiently working to conform individuals to His will. This process of humbling and transformation is crucial for Jacob, paving the way for him to become the patriarch of the twelve tribes of Israel. The detail of the heel, though seemingly minor, encapsulates the initial struggle and subsequent transformation central to the lives of the twins and the developing history of the nation of Israel.

Genesis 25 26 Commentary

Genesis 25:26 presents far more than a simple birth announcement; it is a foundational verse that profoundly shapes the unfolding narrative of God's covenant with Israel. The remarkable image of Jacob's tiny hand grasping Esau's heel upon exit is deeply symbolic and prophetic. It vividly portrays Jacob's innate drive to gain ascendancy and to displace his elder, a character trait that defines his early life and earned him the name "Jacob" (Ya'akov), the "heel-grabber" or "supplanter." This immediate post-birth action is not an accident but a divinely orchestrated sign, foreshadowing his successful attempts to usurp the rights and privileges belonging to his firstborn brother, despite being born second.

The verse works in tandem with the earlier prophecy given to Rebekah (Gen 25:23), "the older shall serve the younger." This divine declaration, alongside the specific detail of Jacob's birth, signals God's sovereign choice, which bypasses the typical primogeniture observed in human society. God's election of Jacob, confirmed in Rom 9:10-13, is not based on Jacob's merit (indeed, his early life is marked by deceit), but on God's free and gracious purpose. Isaac's advanced age of sixty years underscores the miraculous nature of these births, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promise to Abraham, ensuring the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come. Thus, Gen 25:26 succinctly sets the stage for a drama of human struggle, divine purpose, and ultimately, God's transformative grace on a chosen, though initially flawed, individual.