What Do Twins Symbolize In The Bible?

There are surprisingly few mentions of twins in the Bible. There are just two sets of named twins in the Bible that we can be completely sure about. In this post, we talk about biblical twins and what twins symbolize in the bible. 

Meaning of Twins In The Bible

Meaning of Twins In The Bible 

The Bible regards children as a blessing. The most famous example of this is in Psalms 127:3. 

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. 

In fact, God repeatedly showed his favor and blessings on individuals by giving them children. Think of women like Sarah, Rebecca and Hannah. 

They were blessed with children even though they’d been barren. 

Job, after going through tribulations, including the death of his children, God blesses him with wealth and more sons and daughters. 

In the same way, twins symbolize God’s blessings and abundance. 

It doesn’t even have to be human twins. In Songs of Solomon 6:6, flocks bearing twins symbolize beauty, life and abundance.

Your teeth are like a flock of ewes that have come up from the washing; all of them bear twins; not one among them has lost its young.

How Many Twins Are In The Bible?

The most famous twins in the Bible are Esau and Jacob, the sons of Isaac and Rebecca.

Genesis 25:24 When her days to give birth were completed, behold, there were twins in her womb. The first came out red, all his body like a hairy cloak, so they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding Esau’s heel, so his name was called Jacob.

Like most twins spend time around, Jacob and Esau were two very different people despite being twins. 

The Bible says Jacob was quiet and spent time in the tents while Esau was a man of the field and a skilled hunter. 

Later, Esau foolishly sells his birthright for a meal of lentil stew and bread. Jacob goes on to become one of the most important figures in the bible – the father of Israelites. 

The other named twins are Perez and Zerah, children of Tamar and her father in law, Judah. Genesis 38 has a fascinating account of how they came to be born. 

Other Twins In The Bible  

Those two sets of twins — Jacob & Esau, Perez & Zerah — are the only ones whom we are sure about and whose names we know. 

There are three other sets of possible twins in the Bible. 

One of the Apostles of Jesus was called Thomas Didymus, meaning Thomas the Twin. So it is highly likely that Thomas the apostle had an unnamed twin.

There are also theories that Cain and Abel were twins. 

The Bible is not clear on that. Genesis 4:1-2 says: 

Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, “I have gotten a man with the help of the Lord.” And again, she bore his brother Abel. 

We are not sure whether years passed between the birth of Cain and Abel, or whether the word ‘again’ in the verse means they were born one right after the other. 

There’s also speculation that Ephraim and Manasseh (sons to Joseph) are twins. This is based on Genesis 41:50. 

Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On.   

But again, there’s no evidence that they were born at the same time. 

Are There Triplets In The Bible?

Are There Triplets In The Bible

Twins are already rare in the Bible, so it’d be really surprising to find triplets mentioned anywhere. 

There is no mention at all of any triplets being born to someone in the Bible. Some people say that Noah’s children — Shem, Ham and Japheth — are triplets but there’s zero evidence of that. 

Getting triplets would be a sign of even bigger blessings from God. 

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