The Hebrew verb aqav (עָקַב) means to take hold of the heel, to trip up, to supplant, or to deceive. It is the etymological basis for the name Yaaqov (Jacob, H3290), who was born grasping his brother's heel (Genesis 25:26). The word carries connotations of cunning, trickery, and getting ahead by underhanded means — as Jacob supplanted Esau. The related noun eqev (H6119) means heel.
Aqav is theologically central to the Jacob narrative, which is itself a profound story of divine grace working through human weakness. Jacob's name — meaning "he who takes by the heel/supplanter" — accurately described his character: he deceived his father, cheated his brother, and bargained with God. Yet God chose Jacob over Esau before birth (Romans 9:11–13), demonstrating that election is by grace, not merit. Hosea 12:3 recalls that "in the womb he took his brother by the heel [aqav]" as part of Jacob/Israel's complex legacy. The name's meaning also underlies Jeremiah's warning: "The heart is deceitful [aqov] above all things" (Jeremiah 17:9) — the same root, revealing that Jacob's character is universal human nature.