יַעֲקֹב
Yaakov / Jacob
“Supplanter/heel-holder”
Jacob (יַעֲקֹב, Yaakov) is a Hebrew boy's name meaning “supplanter/heel-holder,” pronounced “ya-a-KOV.” From Hebrew 'akev' (עָקֵב) meaning 'heel,' with the implied sense of 'to follow closely' or 'to supplant.' The name was given at birth because Jacob grasped Esau's heel (Genesis 25:26).
| Hebrew | יַעֲקֹב |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Yaakov |
| English Name | Jacob |
| Meaning | Supplanter/heel-holder |
| Pronunciation | ya-a-KOV |
| Gender | Boy |
| Category | Male Biblical Names |
| Variants | Yaakov, Yakov, Yakob, Jacobo, Jacques, James, Iago |
| Key Scripture | Genesis 32:28 |
Jacob is one of the most complex and human figures in all of Scripture — a man whose name literally means 'heel-grabber' because he came out of the womb clutching his twin brother's heel. That name followed him through years of deception and struggle, until a mysterious midnight wrestling match with God left him limping but transformed. God renamed him Israel, 'one who wrestles with God,' turning a trickster's identity into the name of an entire nation. Jacob's story is the Bible's most vivid portrait of how God works through deeply flawed people.
Key Scripture: Genesis 32:28
“Then the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.'”
What Does Jacob Mean in Hebrew?
From the root ע-ק-ב (ayin-qof-bet) meaning 'heel' or 'to follow at the heel.' The verb 'aqav' can mean 'to supplant' or 'to deceive,' which Esau bitterly invokes in Genesis 27:36: 'Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times.'
Jacob in the Bible
Jacob is the third patriarch after Abraham and Isaac. He obtained Esau's birthright and blessing through cunning, fled to Haran, married Leah and Rachel, fathered twelve sons who became the twelve tribes of Israel, and was renamed Israel after wrestling with God at Peniel (Genesis 32:28).
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
The English name 'James' is actually derived from Jacob through the Latin 'Iacobus.' This means that Jacob, James, Jacques, Diego, and Iago are all variants of the same Hebrew name. In Jewish tradition, Yaakov represents the 'man of the tent' — the scholar and thinker, contrasted with Esau the hunter.
Jacob was the #1 boys' name in the United States for 13 consecutive years (1999–2012). It remains extremely popular worldwide. In Israel, Yaakov is a traditional staple, especially in religious communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jacob
What does Jacob mean in Hebrew?
Jacob (יַעֲקֹב, Yaakov) means “Supplanter/heel-holder” in Hebrew. From Hebrew 'akev' (עָקֵב) meaning 'heel,' with the implied sense of 'to follow closely' or 'to supplant.' The name was given at birth because Jacob grasped Esau's heel (Genesis 25:26).
How do you pronounce Jacob in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Jacob is “ya-a-KOV.” The name is written יַעֲקֹב in Hebrew script.
What does Jacob mean in Hebrew?
Jacob (יַעֲקֹב, Yaakov) means 'heel-holder' or 'supplanter' in Hebrew, from the root ע-ק-ב (ayin-qof-bet) meaning 'heel.' He was named this because he was born grasping his twin brother Esau's heel. The name carries connotations of following closely and, by extension, supplanting or overtaking.
Why was Jacob's name changed to Israel?
After wrestling all night with a mysterious divine figure at the ford of Jabbok (Genesis 32:22-32), Jacob's name was changed to Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל), meaning 'one who struggles with God' or 'God prevails.' This transformation marked his change from a deceiver to a patriarch, and the name became the identity of the entire nation.
Is James the same name as Jacob?
Yes — the English name James derives from the Latin 'Iacobus,' which is a transliteration of the Hebrew 'Yaakov' (Jacob). Through centuries of linguistic evolution, Jacob became Iacobus, then Jacomus, then James. This is why the apostle James in the New Testament has the Hebrew name Yaakov.
Sources & Further Study
Related Hebrew Words
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