Jacob is an important character in the Book of Genesis in the Bible, as he is the father of twelve sons who eventually gave their names to the twelve tribes of Israel. Thus, Jacob is an especially common name in the Jewish community, but it has been widely used among Christians since the 1900’s. Jacob was born after the Lord granted Isaac’s prayer for his barren wife, Rebecca, to conceive. Rebecca’s pregnancy was difficult as the twins struggled together within her, so she went to the Lord who said “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger.” Jacob was born the younger and eventually supplanted his older twin brother Esau by tricking him out of his birthright. Later, Jacob dreams of a ladder that reaches to heaven, from which God speaks to him and foretells his success and prosperity. God blesses Jacob and promises not to leave him. Eventually, Jacob has twelve sons by Leah, Rachel and two of their servants. In Genesis 32:22, Jacob wrestles with an Angel of God who changes Jacob’s name to “Isreal” – thought to be a reward from God for his tenacity.
