The term "supplanter" is often associated with the biblical figure Jacob, whose name in Hebrew, "Ya'akov," is derived from the root word "aqeb," meaning "heel" or "to supplant." This association is rooted in the narrative found in the Book of Genesis, where Jacob is depicted as one who takes the place of another, often through cunning or strategic means.

Jacob's Birth and Name

Jacob's account begins in Genesis 25:19-26, where he is born as the younger twin to Isaac and Rebekah. Even at birth, Jacob's nature as a supplanter is symbolically represented. Genesis 25:26 states, "After this, his brother came out, grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob." This act of grasping Esau's heel foreshadows Jacob's future actions in supplanting his brother.

The Birthright and Blessing

Jacob's role as a supplanter is most evident in two key events: the acquisition of Esau's birthright and the blessing from their father, Isaac. In Genesis 25:29-34, Jacob takes advantage of Esau's hunger and impulsiveness, persuading him to sell his birthright for a bowl of stew. This transaction, though seemingly trivial, has profound implications, as the birthright entailed leadership of the family and a double portion of the inheritance.

Later, in Genesis 27, Jacob, with the help of his mother Rebekah, deceives his blind father Isaac into bestowing the blessing of the firstborn upon him instead of Esau. Disguised as Esau, Jacob presents himself to Isaac, who, after some hesitation, blesses him. Genesis 27:36 captures Esau's lament: "Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me twice now: He took my birthright, and now he has taken my blessing!"

Jacob's Transformation

Despite his early life as a supplanter, Jacob's account is also one of transformation and redemption. After fleeing from Esau's wrath, Jacob encounters God in a dream at Bethel, where he receives the promise of divine protection and blessing (Genesis 28:10-22). This encounter marks the beginning of Jacob's spiritual journey.

Years later, in Genesis 32, Jacob wrestles with a divine being at Peniel. This pivotal event results in a change of name from Jacob to Israel, meaning "he struggles with God." Genesis 32:28 records, "Then the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.'" This name change signifies a transformation in Jacob's character from a supplanter to one who prevails through divine encounter.

Legacy and Significance

Jacob's legacy as a supplanter is complex. While his actions often involved deceit and manipulation, they also played a crucial role in the unfolding of God's covenantal promises to Abraham and his descendants. Jacob's twelve sons became the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel, through whom God's promises to Abraham were realized.

In the broader biblical narrative, Jacob's life illustrates themes of human frailty, divine sovereignty, and the transformative power of God's grace. His account serves as a reminder of God's ability to work through imperfect individuals to fulfill His divine purposes.(n.) One who supplants.3290. Yaaqob -- a son of Isaac, also his desc.
... NASB Word Usage Jacob (331), Jacob's (18). Jacob. From aqab; heel-catcher (ie
Supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch -- Jacob. see HEBREW aqab. ...
/hebrew/3290.htm - 6k

On the Words of the Gospel, John i. 48,"When Thou Wast under the ...
... They are two names; for they are one man. His first name Jacob, which is
by interpretation supplanter, he received when he was born. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxii on the words.htm

A Soul's Tragedy
... Ever since Samuel had pronounced his rejection, his uneasy eyes had been furtively
scanning men for his possible supplanter, and no wonder that his gloomy ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a souls tragedy.htm

Moses, the Mighty Intercessor
... prayer. All-night praying has changed many a Jacob, the supplanter, into
Israel, a prince, who has power with God and with men. ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/iv moses the mighty intercessor.htm

Jesus and Peter.
... Jacob's name, which meant supplanter, one who lived by deceit, was changed to Israel,
a prince with God, after that night when the old nature was maimed and ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter vii jesus and peter.htm

The Presence of God.
... different level. It was this which finally culminated in transforming him
from Jacob the supplanter to Israel the prince of God. So ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/x the presence of god.htm

The Kingdom of all Israel.
... king's son-in-law, the prince's bosom friend; but, as the hopes of Israel became
set on him, Saul began to hate him as if he were a supplanter, though Jonathan ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vi the kingdom of.htm

How those are Wrong who Say that the Birth of Christ was a Secret ...
... escape the knowledge of that celebrated Patriarch on whom the vision of God present
with him conferred a title, whereby from the name of Supplanter he rose to ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter ix how those are.htm

Elijah's Translation and Elisha's Deathbed
... When Elijah and Elisha crossed Jordan they were not far from the spot where that
name was given to Jacob, 'the supplanter,' whom discipline and communion with ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture f/elijahs translation and elishas deathbed.htm

Jacob --Israel --Jeshurun
... We start with that first name of nature which, according to Esau's bitter etymology
of it, meant 'a supplanter'"not without some suggestions of craft and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/jacobisraeljeshurun.htm

Abraham's Faith was Identical with Ours; this Faith was Prefigured ...
... Thus, in the first place, at his birth, since he laid hold on his brother's heel,
[4118] he was called Jacob, that is, the supplanter"one who holds, but is ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxi abrahams faith was identical.htm

Supplanter (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who supplants. Multi-Version Concordance
Supplanter (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 9:4 Take ye heed ...
/s/supplanter.htm - 6k

Jeshurun (4 Occurrences)
... that in Isaiah this new name, a coinage due to the author of Second Isaiah and adopted
in Deuteronomy, stands in contrast to Jacob, "the supplanter," as his ...
/j/jeshurun.htm - 10k

Jacob (361 Occurrences)
... One who follows on another's heels; supplanter, (Genesis 25:26; 27:36; Hosea
12:2-4), the second born of the twin sons of Isaac by Rebekah. ...
/j/jacob.htm - 77k

Supplanters (1 Occurrence)

/s/supplanters.htm - 6k

Supplanted (1 Occurrence)

/s/supplanted.htm - 7k

Elijah (104 Occurrences)
... There was present at this scene, in attendance upon the king, a captain named Jehu,
the very man already chosen as the supplanter of Ahab, and he never forgot ...
/e/elijah.htm - 71k

Why did God sometimes change a person's name in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Esau in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who are the biblical patriarchs? | GotQuestions.org

Supplanter: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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