What does the name Jacob mean in Hebrew?
The Hebrew name Jacob means "the deceiver" or "the supplanter." The context contrasts it with Israel, which means "a prince with God." This reflects the transformation from deception to becoming a prince with God.
Les explains that the definitions of all these Hebrew names were definite. Jacob meant the deceiver, the supplanter, whereas Israel meant literally a prince with God. He points out that in Jacob's conversion, the man would be changed from a deceiver and a supplanter to a prince with God, and asks if that is not exactly what should happen to every one of us.