Behind the names of The Biblical Patriarchs

Being able to read something in its original language gives you the freedom to make your own interpretations, without having to rely on a translator. When it comes to biblical scriptures, this becomes even more apparent. For example, let's look at the names of the Fathers of Israel - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Abraham - In Hebrew, the name is pronounced "Avraham" (אברהם). It is comprised from two words: אב-av and המון-hamon. "Av" means "father", and "hamon" means "many", which means that the name Avraham translates into "father of many".

"Your name will no longer be Avram [exalted father], but your name will be Avraham [father of many], because I have made you the father of many nations." Genesis 17:5.

"וְלֹא-יִקָּרֵא עוֹד אֶת-שִׁמְךָ, אַבְרָם; וְהָיָה שִׁמְךָ אַבְרָהָם כִּי אַב-הֲמוֹן גּוֹיִם נְתַתִּיךָ" (בראשית י"ז ה)

Isaac - In Hebrew, it is pronounced "Itzhak", from the root צ.ח.ק - "tsahak", which means "laughed". He was given this name because Abraham and Sarah were 100 and 90 years old and when they found out that Sarah is pregnant, they laughed.

Jacob- Pronounced "Ya'akov" in Hebrew, the name Jacob originates from the word "עקב"-"akev", which means "heel". It is said that Jacob was born right after his twin brother, Esav, holding on to his brother's heel.

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