Why Only Abram and Not Jacob Lost His Old Name

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 81:15

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

Bar Kappara expounded (and so on). But now, what of one who calls Sarah "Sarai"? So too there. There the Holy One, blessed be He, said to Abraham, "As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai" (Genesis 17:15). But now, what of one who calls Israel "Jacob"? It is different there, for Scripture itself reverted and called him so, as it is written, "And God said to Israel in the visions of the night, and He said, Jacob, Jacob" (Genesis 46:2). And as for Abraham, did Scripture not revert? Is it not written, "You chose Abram" (Nehemiah 9:7)? There it is a prophet who is recounting the praise of Abraham [not reverting to the old name as God's own usage].

Themes

AbrahamPatriarchsWisdom

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