Name-Changes In The Bible

The name-changes of Abraham and Sarah by God are not the only ones found in Genesis as Jacob becomes Israel not just once but twice. Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebekah making him the grandson of Abraham and Sarah. He even had a twin brother named Esau. Even though most parents say they do not have a favorite child, it was known that Esau was Isaac’s favorite, and Jacob was Rebekah’s favorite. This caused some jealousy towards Esau as Jacob wanted the approval and blessing from his father that would surely be given to Esau instead. When Isaac was nearing death, Jacob tricked him into giving him the blessing instead of Esau. Naturally, Esau was very angry with Jacob for doing this, so Jacob fled to Haran to stay with his uncle Laban. Here, …show more content…
The name Jacob means “holder of the heel” (Campbell). This is appropriate as Jacob was holding Esau’s heel when they came out of the womb, and later on in life, he trips up Esau more by taking his birthright and blessing. After angering Esau, Jacob makes the choice to make amends with his brother showing how he has grown. Jacob’s wrestling encounter results in the new name of Israel implying that the name was divinely bestowed (Horsley 7). Israel means “the one who strives with God” (Genesis 32:28). This is quite fitting as Jacob had to fully exert himself when wrestling with the man who ended up being God.
After receiving the blessing in Genesis 32, Jacob continues on and meets Esau once again, and there are no hard feelings between the two of them. God then instructs Jacob to return to Bethel and build an altar. Jacob then tells those around him to “put away the foreign gods that are among you, and purify yourselves, and change your clothes” (Genesis 35:2). This has come to be Jacob’s greatest contribution to monotheism. Jacob recognized that God was with him wherever he went and that there were no other gods like God. He really is the one who strives with