JACOB was the younger son of Isaac and Rebecca. At his mother's instigation, he cheated his brother Esau of his birthright. He obtained the blessing from blind Isaac by disguising himself as Esau. Because Esau swore to kill him, Rebecca sent Jacob away to her brother Laban. Jacob fell in love with Laban's daughter Rachel and served Laban seven years for her. But Laban substituted his older daughter Leah at the wedding service. Then Jacob served Laban an additional seven years for Rachel. Jacob received the name Israel after wrestling with the angel of the Lord at Peniel (Genesis 27-32).

Dame Alys, in her argument for remarriage, says that Jacob, a holy man, had more than two wives, WBP 56. Jerome notes that Jovinian, in his argument against virginity and chastity, says that holy men, Abraham and Jacob, have had more than one wife, Epistola adversus Jovinianum (Letter Against Jovinian), I.5 (PL 23: 215-216). Januarie recalls that Rebecca gave Jacob good advice, MerchT 1362-1365. Rebecca is among femmes de bon conseil, "women of good counsel," in Liber consolationis et consilii (The Book of Consolation and Counsel) V, by Albertanus Brixiensis (1246). Dame Prudence reminds Melibee that Rebecca gave Jacob good counsel, Mel 1097. God blessed Laban because of Jacob's service, ParsT 443. [Abraham: Alisoun³: Israel: Laban: Lia: Rachel: Rebekka]