Jacob was the son of Isaac and the third father (patriarch) of the Jewish people. When Isaac was 40 years old, he married Rebekah. They had twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Esau was born first, so he was first to inherit his father's wealth. Jealous of his brother, Jacob tricked Esau into giving his birthright away. Then Jacob trick his father into giving him his blessing, too. Esau wanted to kill Jacob, so Rebekah sent Jacob to say with his uncle in Haran. On the way, Jacob dreamed of a ladder reaching from Earth to Heaven. God appeared above the ladder and promised to give the land of Canaan to Jacob's descendants.