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
SeiTT
United Kingdom
Local time: 00:25
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
Local time: 03:25
Grading comment
Many thanks excellent and sorry about the delay.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5Yaakov = from Akev (heel)
Doron Greenspan MITI
4 +1לעקוב (NOT in Modern Hebrew)
Erez Volk
4לעוות
Sabine Akabayov, PhD


  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
to twist
לעוות


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

Sabine Akabayov, PhD
Israel
Local time: 03:25
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman
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9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
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: 03:25
Native speaker of: Native in HebrewHebrew, Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 24
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12 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
to twist
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.


    Reference: http://www.tyndalearchive.com/TABS/Gesenius/
Erez Volk
Local time: 03:25
Native speaker of: Native in HebrewHebrew
Grading comment
Many thanks excellent and sorry about the delay.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Lingopro: Very interesting!
3 hrs
  -> Thanks! I was pretty surprised myself.
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