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July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
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People File • Biblical Figure

Jacob

Jacob is a Hebrew patriarch in the Book of Genesis and is traditionally regarded as the ancestor of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

Jacob is a Hebrew patriarch in the Book of Genesis, traditionally regarded as the ancestor of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

What it is

Jacob appears in Genesis as a central patriarch in the ancestral narratives of Israel. He is the son of Isaac and Rebekah, the grandson of Abraham and Sarah, and the younger twin brother of Esau.

Why it matters

Jacob is traditionally considered the father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel through his twelve sons. He is a foundational ancestor in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, all of which have longstanding communities in Canada.

Key details

Biblical tradition says Jacob received the name Israel after wrestling with a divine being. That name became associated with him and with the people descended from him. His spouses were Leah and Rachel.

In short

  • Jacob is one of the major patriarchs of the Hebrew Bible.
  • He is traditionally the father of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
  • He was renamed Israel after wrestling with a divine being.
  • He is significant in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Canadian angle

Jacob is relevant to Canadian readers through his central place in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, all of which have longstanding communities in Canada.

Quick questions

Who was Jacob in the Bible?
Jacob was a Hebrew patriarch in Genesis, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the grandson of Abraham and Sarah. He is traditionally regarded as the ancestor of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
Why is Jacob also called Israel?
Biblical tradition says Jacob was renamed Israel after wrestling with a divine being. The name became associated with him and with the people descended from him.
How many children did Jacob have?
Jacob is traditionally said to have had twelve sons, who became the ancestors of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.

Sources

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jacob-Hebrew-patriarch
    Supports: Jacob as Hebrew patriarch, son of Isaac and Rebekah, grandson of Abraham and Sarah, and traditional ancestor of the Twelve Tribes of Israel.
  2. My Jewish Learning — https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/jacob/
    Supports: Jacob as one of Judaism’s three patriarchs, son of Isaac and Rebecca, grandson of Abraham and Sarah, and father of twelve sons.
  3. Bible Gateway — https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/encyclopedia-of-the-bible/Jacob
    Supports: Jacob as son of Isaac and Rebecca, younger twin brother of Esau, husband of Leah and Rachel, and later called Israel.