Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the concept of twins is mentioned in several instances, primarily in the Old Testament. The term "twin" refers to one of two offspring born at the same birth. Twins are significant in biblical narratives, often symbolizing duality, conflict, or divine purpose.
Jacob and EsauThe most notable twins in the Bible are Jacob and Esau, the sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Their account is found in
Genesis 25:19-34. Rebekah, who was barren, conceived after Isaac prayed to the LORD. During her pregnancy, she experienced a struggle within her womb, prompting her to inquire of the LORD. The LORD revealed to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger" (
Genesis 25:23).
Esau, the firstborn, emerged red and hairy, while Jacob followed, grasping Esau's heel. This act of grasping the heel was symbolic of Jacob's future role in supplanting Esau, as he later acquired Esau's birthright and blessing through cunning means. The relationship between Jacob and Esau is marked by conflict and reconciliation, reflecting the prophecy given to Rebekah.
Perez and ZerahAnother significant mention of twins is found in the account of Perez and Zerah, the sons of Judah and Tamar. This account is recorded in
Genesis 38:27-30. During Tamar's labor, Zerah extended his hand, and the midwife tied a scarlet thread around it, indicating he was the firstborn. However, Zerah withdrew his hand, and Perez was born first. The midwife exclaimed, "How you have broken out!" (
Genesis 38:29), and thus he was named Perez, meaning "breach" or "breakthrough." This narrative highlights themes of unexpected outcomes and divine intervention.
Symbolism and ThemesIn biblical literature, twins often symbolize duality and contrast. The accounts of Jacob and Esau, as well as Perez and Zerah, illustrate themes of struggle, destiny, and the reversal of expectations. The younger twin often assumes a role of prominence or blessing, challenging cultural norms of primogeniture, where the firstborn traditionally held greater inheritance rights and authority.
The accounts of twins in the Bible also underscore the sovereignty of God in determining the course of human history. Despite human actions and intentions, divine purposes prevail, as seen in the lives of Jacob and Esau, where God's plan for Israel unfolds through Jacob, the younger twin.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn ancient Near Eastern cultures, twins were sometimes viewed with suspicion or as omens, due to their rarity and the complications associated with multiple births. However, the biblical narratives focus on the individuals and their roles in God's redemptive plan, rather than any superstitions associated with twin births.
The accounts of twins in the Bible serve as a reminder of God's providence and the unfolding of His promises through unexpected means. These narratives continue to be studied for their theological insights and their reflection of God's overarching narrative in Scripture.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Being one of two born at a birth; as, a twin brother or sister.
2. (a.) Being one of a pair much resembling one another; standing the relation of a twin to something else; -- often followed by to or with.
3. (a.) Double; consisting of two similar and corresponding parts.
4. (a.) Composed of parts united according to some definite law of twinning. See Twin, n., 4.
5. (n.) One of two produced at a birth, especially by an animal that ordinarily brings forth but one at a birth; -- used chiefly in the plural, and applied to the young of beasts as well as to human young.
6. (n.) A sign and constellation of the zodiac; Gemini. See Gemini.
7. (n.) A person or thing that closely resembles another.
8. (n.) A compound crystal composed of two or more crystals, or parts of crystals, in reversed position with reference to each other.
9. (v. i.) To bring forth twins.
10. (v. i.) To be born at the same birth.
11. (v. t.) To cause to be twins, or like twins in any way.
12. (v. t.) To separate into two parts; to part; to divide; hence, to remove; also, to strip; to rob.
13. (v. i.) To depart from a place or thing.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TWIN BROTHERS(Acts 28:11).
SeeDIOSCURI.
Greek
2381. Thomas -- "thetwin," Thomas, one of the twelve apostles... "the
twin," Thomas, one of the
... Word Origin of Hebrew origin toam Definition "the
twin," Thomas, one of the twelve apostles NASB Word Usage Thomas (11). Thomas.
...1359. Dioskouroi -- the Dioscuri,twin sons of Zeus (Castor and...
... the Dioscuri,twin sons of Zeus (Castor and Pollux). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: Dioskouroi Phonetic Spelling: (dee-os'-koo-roy) Short...
1324. Didumos -- Didymus.
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Didumos Phonetic Spelling:
(did'-oo-mos) Short Definition: theTwin, Didymus, Thomas Definition: theTwin...
Strong's Hebrew
8420b. toam -- atwin... toam. 8421 . a
twin. Transliteration: toam Short Definition: twins. Word Origin
from an unused word Definition a
twin NASB Word Usage twins (4). 8420a, 8420b
...123. edom -- the name of a condiment
... 25:25); Edom, the eldertwin-brother of Jacob; hence the region (Idumaea) occupied
by him -- Edom, Edomites, Idumea. see HEBREW 'adom. 122, 123. edom. 124...
8380. taom -- twins
... Word Origin see toam. twins Or taom {taw-ome'}; from ta'am; atwin (in plural only),
literally or figuratively -- twins. see HEBREW ta'am. 8379, 8380....
Library
The Pelagians are Refuted by the Case of theTwin Infants Dying...
... Book II. Chapter 16."The Pelagians are Refuted by the Case of theTwin Infants Dying,
the One After, and the Other Without, the Grace of Baptism....
The Paradoxes of Christianity
... a leg on the right and one on the left, he might go further and still find on each
side the same number of fingers, the same number of toes,twin eyes,twin...
Clement's Family History.
... family. By her my father hadtwin sons, born before me, not very like
one another, as my father told me; for I never knew them....
New Revelations.
... and bring disgrace upon the family; and how she had wisely pretended a dream, by
which she was ordered to depart from the city with hertwin sons, leaving the...
'The Bridal of the Earth and Sky'
... then, take the first verse:"'Mercy and Truth are met together, Righteousness and
Peace have kissed each other.' We have here the heavenlytwin-sisters, and...
Matthew.
... modesty). [904] Hence the conjecture that he was atwin brother of Thomas
(Didymus, ie,Twin), or associated with him in work. Thomas...
Psalm LXVII.
... is blessed is simple," [2651] not cleaving to things earthly nor with glued wings
grovelling, but beaming with the brightness of virtues, on thetwin wings of...
Genesis.
... 45 May formed be, and that by mixturetwin. His substance may add firmness
to her limbs.... With atwin juice for functions several."....
Recapitulation.
... was led in the course of conversation to tell me of his extraction and his family,
and how he had been deprived of his parents, and had hadtwin brothers older...
Recapitulation Continued.
... lest I should stir up war between the brothers, and bring disgrace upon the family,
judged it better to depart from my country with my twotwin sons, leaving...
Thesaurus
Twin (9 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Being one of two born at a birth; as,
a
twin brother or sister. 2. (a
... twinning. See
Twin, n., 4. 5
...Thomas (12 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible DictionaryTwin, one of the twelve (Matthew 10:3; Mark
3:18, etc.). He was also called Didymus (John 11:16; 20:24...
Esau (89 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Hairy, Rebekah's first-borntwin son (Genesis 25:25).... ESAU.
e'-so (`esaw, "hairy"; Esau): Son of Isaac,twin brother of Jacob....
Twine (1 Occurrence)
...twin (shazar, "to be twined"): The word is used in Exodus 26:1;; 36:8;, etc., of
the "fine twined linen" used for the curtains and hangings of the tabernacle...
Dioscuri (1 Occurrence)
... di-os'-ku-ri (Dioscouroi; in Acts 28:11, the King James Version Castor and Pollux,
the Revised Version (British and American) thETWIN BROTHERS; in margin...
Didymus (3 Occurrences)
... (Gr.twin = Hebrews Thomas, qv), John 11:16; 20:24; 21:2. Int.... DIDYMUS.
did'-i-mus (Didumos, ie "twin"): The surname of thOMAS (which see)....
Bethesda (1 Occurrence)
... Stephen's Gate." Others again identify it with thetwin pools called the "Souterrains,"
under the convent of the Sisters of Zion, situated in what must have...
Jacob (361 Occurrences)
... One who follows on another's heels; supplanter, (Genesis 25:26; 27:36; Hosea
12:2-4), the second born of thetwin sons of Isaac by Rebekah....
Twilight (25 Occurrences)
Brothers (574 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Brother. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia.TWIN BROTHERS....
Resources
Who are the twins in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of a scarlet thread? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Esau in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgTwin: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
