While In the Bible it is common for people to be given new names, the meaning of a name never changes. And Jacob’s name has always meant “he grabs his heel” or in essence “one who comes after.”  Jacob was the second born of a set of twins, and his mother named him accordingly as a faithful response to God’s promise of blessing. Jacob sinned, like we all do, but he developed into a man of solid character. Some highlights of Jacob’s story are:

• The real meaning of Jacob’s name, “he grabs his heel” or in essence “one who comes after,” correctly aligns with scriptural themes and helps us better understand God’s word.
• Jacob identifies with God’s promises.
• Jacob’s deception was a sinful act, not the meaning of his name.
• Jacob’s sin is integral to the story because it highlights God’s grace.
• Jacob’s mother Rebekah illustrates what practical faith looks like.

When I began writing this series, I could not have imagined that a name meaning “he grabs his heel” could be so interesting, and I hope you have enjoyed reading this series as much as I did writing it. I particularly enjoyed Rebekah’s story. She was not one of the major characters, but her role was essential. For mostly overlooked and tucked away in the pages of the Bible is the story of a mother with strong faith, who honored God and placed her family above herself.

All in all a pretty good series, and I am confident that I disproved the idea that Jacob means deceiver. Jacob is a wonderful name, simple yet powerful in meaning. And if your name is Jacob, you should be extremely honored and proud.