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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And after {H310} that came {H3318} his brother {H251} out {H3318}, and his hand {H3027} took hold {H270} on Esau's {H6215} heel {H6119}; and his name {H8034} was called {H7121} Jacob {H3290}: and Isaac {H3327} was threescore {H8346} years {H8141} old {H1121} when she bare {H3205} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then his brother emerged, with his hand holding 'Esav's heel, so he was called Ya'akov [he catches by the heel, he supplants]. Yitz'chak was sixty years old when she bore them.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 25:26 meticulously records the dramatic birth of Jacob, the second son of Isaac and Rebekah, immediately following his twin brother Esau. This pivotal verse describes Jacob's hand grasping Esau's heel at birth, an act that prophetically named him "Jacob" (meaning "heel-grabber" or "supplanter") and vividly foreshadowed the lifelong rivalry, complex character, and divine purpose that would define his journey and the trajectory of the covenant nation. The explicit mention of Isaac's age at their birth further underscores the miraculous fulfillment of God's long-awaited promise to Abraham and Sarah for numerous descendants.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the culmination of the birth narrative of Isaac and Rebekah's twin sons, following Rebekah's challenging pregnancy described in [Genesis 25:21-23](/genesis/25-21-23 "Rebekah's Troubled Pregnancy and God's Prophecy"). The preceding verse, [Genesis 25:25](/genesis/25-25 "The Birth of Esau"), details the birth of Esau, the firstborn, setting the immediate stage for Jacob's dramatic entrance. The act of Jacob grasping Esau's heel is presented not as a mere coincidence but as a significant event that immediately establishes the sibling dynamic and provides the etymology for Jacob's name, fulfilling the divine prophecy given to Rebekah that "the elder shall serve the younger" ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "The Prophecy of Two Nations")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, birth order, particularly primogeniture (the right of the firstborn son), held immense significance, granting the firstborn legal, social, and spiritual preeminence, including a double portion of the inheritance and the family blessing. Naming conventions were also deeply meaningful, often reflecting the circumstances of birth, a parent's hopes, or a prophetic insight into the child's character or destiny. Jacob's name, derived from the Hebrew word for "heel" or "to supplant," would have immediately communicated a sense of struggle, striving, and even cunning to an ancient audience, foreshadowing the challenges to primogeniture and the unconventional path God would take with this family line.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 25:26 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates God's **sovereignty and divine election**, demonstrating His ability to choose and work through individuals not based on human conventions like birth order, but according to His own purposes, as prophesied in [Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "God's Sovereign Choice"). The verse also introduces the theme of **sibling rivalry and conflict**, a recurring motif in Genesis (e.g., Cain and Abel in [Genesis 4](/genesis/4 "Cain and Abel"), Joseph and his brothers in [Genesis 37](/genesis/37 "Joseph and His Brothers")). Furthermore, it highlights God's unwavering **covenant faithfulness** in providing descendants to Abraham and Isaac, despite long periods of barrenness and advanced age, reinforcing the miraculous nature of the covenant line's continuation, as seen in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise of Descendants to Abraham").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 25:26 provides a concise yet profound account of Jacob's birth, laden with symbolic and prophetic meaning.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **after (Hebrew, _ʼachar'_):** This word signifies a sequence in time, indicating that Jacob's birth immediately followed Esau's. It emphasizes the close succession of the twins, setting the stage for their intertwined destinies and the immediate physical interaction that defines Jacob's naming. The temporal proximity highlights the dramatic and immediate nature of Jacob's "heel-grabbing" act.
* **took hold (Hebrew, _ʼâchaz'_):** This verb denotes a strong, decisive grasp or seizure, often with the accessory idea of holding in possession. In this context, it describes Jacob's physical action of grasping Esau's heel, which is not merely accidental but deliberate and indicative of a striving, competitive nature from birth. This act directly relates to his name and foreshadows his later attempts to seize what he desired.
* **Jacob (Hebrew, _Yaʻăqôb'_):** Derived from the root meaning "heel-catcher" or "supplanter," this proper name is central to the verse. It is a living prophecy, directly linking Jacob's birth act to his character and destiny. The name encapsulates his early life marked by cunning and self-reliance, which would later be transformed when God renamed him Israel, signifying a new identity and relationship with God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And after that came his brother out":** This phrase establishes the sequential order of birth, with Jacob emerging directly after Esau, emphasizing their twinship and immediate proximity. The use of "his brother" immediately highlights the sibling relationship that will be central to the unfolding narrative.
* **"and his hand took hold on Esau's heel":** This is the most striking and symbolic detail. Jacob's physical act of grasping Esau's heel is presented as a deliberate action, directly linking to the etymology of his name and foreshadowing his future attempts to "supplant" or "overtake" his elder brother, both in birthright and blessing.
* **"and his name was called Jacob":** This clause reveals the direct consequence and interpretation of the heel-grabbing act. The name "Jacob" (Hebrew: *Ya'akov*) is derived from the word for "heel" (*'aqeb*) and the verb "to supplant" (*'aqab*), making his name a prophetic descriptor of his character and destiny.
* **"and Isaac [was] threescore years old when she bare them":** This final clause provides crucial chronological information. Isaac's age of sixty years underscores the miraculous nature of the twins' birth, as Rebekah had been barren for twenty years. It serves as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promise to Abraham regarding a multitude of descendants, even in the face of human impossibility.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 25:26 is rich in **Symbolism** and **Foreshadowing**. The physical act of Jacob grasping Esau's heel is highly symbolic, representing Jacob's inherent striving and his future attempts to "supplant" or "overtake" his brother. This act **foreshadows** the lifelong rivalry between the twins, the deception involved in the birthright and blessing, and the eventual formation of two distinct nations. The naming of Jacob is a prime example of **Prophetic Naming**, where a name not only describes a characteristic but also predicts a destiny. The narrative also subtly employs **Irony**, as the younger brother, Jacob, immediately challenges the natural order of primogeniture, hinting at God's sovereign choice to reverse human expectations, a theme that pervades biblical history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 25:26 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign plan unfolding through human actions and character. Despite Jacob's initial "supplanter" nature and the human striving it implies, the narrative subtly highlights that God's overarching purpose is at work, fulfilling the prophecy given to Rebekah before the twins were even born. This demonstrates that God's election is not based on human merit or natural order, but on His divine will, and He can use even flawed individuals to accomplish His redemptive purposes. The prophetic nature of Jacob's name also underscores the biblical theme that names often carry deep spiritual significance, revealing character, destiny, or divine intention.

* [Romans 9:10-13](/romans/9-10-13 "God's Sovereign Choice of Jacob")
* [Hosea 12:3](/hosea/12-3 "Jacob's Struggle from the Womb")
* [Genesis 27:36](/genesis/27-36 "Esau's Lament Over Jacob's Deception")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 25:26 offers profound insights into human nature and divine purpose. It reminds us that our origins, even those seemingly defined by struggle or a particular characteristic, do not ultimately determine our destiny in God's plan. While Jacob's name and initial actions pointed to a life of striving and supplanting, God ultimately reshaped his character and used him mightily, transforming the "heel-grabber" into "Israel," a "prince with God." This narrative encourages us to recognize that God often chooses and uses individuals with flaws and struggles to accomplish His divine purposes, demonstrating His grace and power. It also reinforces the theme of God's perfect timing and faithfulness in fulfilling His word, even after long periods of waiting, urging patience and trust in His promises. We are called to surrender our striving and trust in God's sovereign work in our lives, knowing that He can transform our weaknesses into strengths for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jacob's initial act of grasping Esau's heel resonate with your own tendencies to strive or manipulate circumstances in your life?**
* **In what ways does this narrative demonstrate God's sovereignty over human will and natural expectations?**
* **How does the miraculous birth of Jacob and Esau, given Isaac's age, encourage you to trust God's faithfulness in seemingly impossible situations?**

### FAQ
**Why is Jacob's name significant in this verse?**

Answer: Jacob's name (Hebrew: *Ya'akov*) literally means "heel-grabber" or "supplanter." This name was given at birth because he was holding onto Esau's heel, and it served as a prophetic indicator of his future character and his tendency to strive for advantage, often through cunning, as seen in his later interactions with Esau regarding the birthright and blessing ([Genesis 27:36](/genesis/27-36 "Esau's Lament Over Jacob's Deception")).

**Does the act of Jacob grabbing Esau's heel imply Jacob was inherently bad from birth?**

Answer: While the act and name "heel-grabber" foreshadow Jacob's initial character traits of striving and cunning, it doesn't necessarily imply inherent evil. Rather, it highlights the human condition of striving in one's own strength and seeking advantage. The Bible often uses such details to set the stage for God's transformative work in a person's life, showing that God can use imperfect individuals for His perfect purposes, as He later did with Jacob when he wrestled with God and was renamed Israel ([Genesis 32:28](/genesis/32-28 "Jacob Wrestles with God and is Renamed Israel")).

**How does Isaac's age relate to the significance of this verse?**

Answer: Isaac being sixty years old when Jacob and Esau were born emphasizes the miraculous nature of their birth. Rebekah had been barren for twenty years (Isaac was forty when he married her), and their advanced age underscores God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promise to Abraham for numerous descendants ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham")), even when human circumstances seemed to preclude it. It highlights that God's promises are fulfilled in His perfect timing and power, not by human ability.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jacob, the "supplanter" who grasps and strives, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, both in His person and in the nature of His kingdom. Jacob's initial character, defined by self-reliance and seeking advantage, represents humanity's fallen state, constantly striving in its own strength to gain what it desires. Yet, God sovereignly chose Jacob and, through a process of wrestling and transformation, changed his name to Israel, signifying a new identity rooted in dependence on God. This transformation foreshadows the work of Christ, who, though fully God, did not grasp or strive for equality with God but humbled Himself, taking on the form of a servant ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Christ's Humility and Obedience")), not seeking His own advantage but giving His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "The Son of Man Came to Serve")). Through Christ, believers are given a new identity, transformed from their old nature of striving and self-reliance to a new nature of grace and dependence on God, becoming new creations in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "New Creation in Christ")). Furthermore, the paradoxical reversal of natural order—the elder serving the younger ([Genesis 25:23](/genesis/25-23 "The Prophecy to Rebekah"))—points to the counter-intuitive nature of God's kingdom, where the last shall be first and the humble exalted ([Matthew 20:16](/matthew/20-16 "The Last Shall Be First"); [Luke 14:11](/luke/14-11 "Whoever Exalts Himself Will Be Humbled")), a principle perfectly embodied in Christ's life, death, and resurrection, which inverted human expectations of power and glory, establishing a kingdom founded on servanthood and sacrifice.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 27:36

And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he said, Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?

Hosea 12:3

He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:

Genesis 38:28

And it came to pass, when she travailed, that [the one] put out [his] hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.

Genesis 38:30

And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.