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To twist

Hebrew translation: לעקוב (NOT in Modern Hebrew)

13:58 Jun 15, 2009

English to Hebrew translations [Non-PRO]
Other / Vocab Item

English term or phrase: To twist

Hi,

I am interested because I was told that the meaning of the name Yaaqov יעקב was “he twists”.

Is there a form of לעקוב laaqov that means “to twist” i.e. “to distort, to cheat, to twist the meaning of something”? If not, what verb should be used?

Many thanks,

Simon

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Local time: 19:27

Hebrew translation:לעקוב (NOT in Modern Hebrew)

Explanation:
Yaaqov is indeed a form of the verb לעקוב which today means only "to follow"; however, Gesenius's Hebrew and Chaldee lexicon mentions as one of the interpretations of this root the meaning "to supplant, to circumvent, to defraud". Etymologically this may be related to tripping someone up by holding there heel (עקב).

Again, let me stress that this is definitely not true for Modern Hebrew, and debatable for Biblical Hebrew; but it seems that at least one highly respected authority on Biblical Hebrew thought it might have meant that.

Selected response from:

Erez Volk
Israel
Local time: 21:27

Grading comment

Many thanks excellent and sorry about the delay.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

4 +1

לעקוב (NOT in Modern Hebrew)

Erez Volk

Yaakov = from Akev (heel)

Doron Greenspan MITI

לעוות

sibsab

Answers

3 mins confidence:

to twist לעוות

Explanation:
I believe, Yaacov is derived from the verb "לעקוב" - to follow, not from "to twist"
לעוות means to twist/distort

sibsab
Germany
Local time: 20:27
Native speaker of:

German

9 mins confidence:

to twist Yaakov = from Akev (heel)

Explanation:
In Genesis 25:26, Yaacov came out of Rivka's womb immediately after his brother, Esau.
As Esau was leaving the womb, Yaacov was holding his heel (Akev) in his hand. Therefore he was called Yaakov, from the root Akev.
Perhaps your term is linked: he twisted Esau's heel on his way out of the womb.

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Note added at 10 mins (2009-06-15 14:08:23 GMT)
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Also, the name comes from the Hebrew root A.K.V - i.e. to follow (in someone's steps, etc.).

Doron Greenspan MITI
Israel
Local time: 21:27
Native speaker of:

Hebrew,