Abraham and Jacob of the Book of Genesis are alike in many ways. Both men can be compared and contrasted as men favored by God and as fathers, husbands, heroes, and servants of God, as well. They both can be titled as such, and .
contrasted in the ways in which they fulfill these roles. God has made covenants with both men, promising them fruitful lives and many descendants. They both show heroic qualities with their people, and prove the love they have for their sons. They share similar wives, in that they are both barren, and they both revere the Lord, their God.
God has also blessed both men with new, more meaningful names. To Abram, He has said, "No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations." (The Holy Bible, Gen. 17:5) To Jacob, a man whom he later sees as God Himself, or an angel, has said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed." (The Holy Bible, Gen. 32:28) These changes in names make evident God's favor for both men, in that He has taken the time to consider both men and realized their service to Him, such that a change in name is required.
Abraham takes for his wife Sarai, who, incidentally, has her name changed, as well, to Sarah, the mother of nations. Sarah is barren for many years of her marriage, and cannot bear Abraham a son. Finally, God grants Abraham a son, Isaac. This "opening of the womb" also serves to express God's favor for his servant, Abraham. Jacob, too, takes a barren woman for his wife. However, after some years of children .
born of a maid in Rachel's name, God grants Jacob children through Rachel. She gives birth to Joseph, and then Benjamin. God shows His favor for Jacob, as well, in "opening" Rachel's womb. Both of these barren wives also reveal the similarities in the two men, as they have both chosen such women for their wives.
