ja·cob \ˈjākəb sometimes -əp\noun (-s) Usage: capitalized Etymology: Late Latin, from Greek Iakōb, from Hebrew Ya'ăqōbh, after Ya'ăqōbh (Jacob) in the Bible (Gen. 25:20 ff.), the eponymous ancestor of the Israelites : the ancient Hebrew nation : israel < yet you did not call upon me, O Jacob; but you have been weary of me, O Israel — Isa 43:22 (Revised Standard Version) >