University of Virginia Library

JACOB (18th century B.C.?):

grandson of ABRAHAM through Isaac and twin brother of Essau who appears as a very unsavory character until he "struggles with GOD" (Genesis 32) after which he takes the name Israel. The JEWISH race, the children of Israel, are his descendants. His favorite and most famous son was JOSEPH. His life story is told in Genesis 25, 21-50:13.