The REAL (Biblical) Meaning of Jackson? - Origin, History & Stories

Jackson is an English surname which means son of Jack. This surname has become a baby boy name that is used in many countries.

A famous bearer of this name was the seventh American President Andrew Jackson.

Jackson has been a popular name for over a century. It took a surge in the United States in the 1980s and in recent years it was on the top twenty list of popular boy names.

If you would love to learn more about this classic name then keep reading.

This article will take a deep dive into the Hebrew, biblical, and spiritual meaning of the name Jackson while also sharing the biblical origin, Bible stories, and verses about this masculine name.

What does Jackson mean in Hebrew?

Yaakov, Yaakova, Yochana, and Yochanan are the four Hebrew variations of the name Jackson. Jackson which means son of Jack is actually a variation of the name John.

The name John stems from the Hebrew name Yochanan which means God is gracious.

Yaakov, and Yaakova its feminine form are variants of the Hebrew boy name Jacob and means held by the heel or he who supplants.

Son of John, Jacob, he who supplants/held by the heel, and God is gracious are some of the meanings of Jackson in Hebrew.

The origins of Jackson in the Bible

Though it is not found in the Bible, the biblical origin of the name Jackson may be traced by using the Hebrew root word (John) and its Hebrew name variations.

The origins of Jacob (Yaakov) and John will give an understanding of Jackson's biblical roots.

Isaac's son

Jacob was the son of Isaac and Rebekah and brother of Esau.

 

“After this, his brother came out, with his hand grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when Rebekah gave birth to them.” (Genesis 25:26 NIV)

 

Zechariah's son

John was the son of Elizabeth and Zechariah and cousin of Jesus. His father was a part of the priestly division of Abijah and his mother was a descendant of Aaron.

 

“But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.” (Luke 1:13 NIV)

 

The biblical meaning of Jackson

Jack is a variation of the name John and the Hebrew word Yaakov/Jacob.

Son of righteousness, son of grace, and gift of God are biblical meanings of Jackson which makes it a great choice for a Christian boy name.

Son of righteousness

The New Testament prophet John, may be described as the son of righteousness because both his parents were considered righteous.

 

“In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. ⁶ Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.” (Luke 1: 5-6 NIV)

 

John spent his life dedicated to the cause of righteousness and preparing others to accept Jesus the Messiah.

If your name is John, then Jackson is the perfect name for your little boy.

It's among middle name options that serve as a variation of your name and at the same time demonstrates that he is a son who will seek after righteousness.

Son of grace

Jacob and John are Bible characters whose names point to grace. John was conceived because of God's grace and Jacob experienced grace after he betrayed his brother’s trust.

Jackson is a great Christian name that testifies of God's grace.

If you have a healthy little boy after a complicated pregnancy, it will be a beautiful name that says he's the son of God's grace.

This name is a powerful way to teach your baby boy about the grace of God.

Like Jacob who witnessed the Lord's grace and forgiveness from his brother, Jackson will find hope in the fact that bad situations can turn out good.

Gift of God

John the Baptist and Jacob were male babies conceived based on God's promise. The Lord promised Isaac and Zechariah that they would have baby boys and both of them received the special gift.

Jacob, John, and by extension Jackson mean gift of God and this is why it's a great first name to give your child.

 

The spiritual meaning of Jackson

From a spiritual point of view, Jackson name meanings include graciousness, being loved, and spiritual insight.

 

Graciousness

Yochanan, the Hebrew root word for Jackson means God is gracious. Jacob was gracious in returning a tenth of his blessings to the Lord and working seven more years for Rachel to be his wife.

According to Genesis 32:10 and Genesis 33:5 he also experienced God's graciousness.

 

“They are the children God has graciously given your servant.” (Genesis 33:5 NIV)

 

Jackson is an adorable name to give your child while you pray the blessings of Numbers 6:25 over his life.

 

“The Lord bless you and keep you; ²⁵ the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; ²⁶ the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26 NIV)

 

Loved

Jacob was dearly loved by his mother and John was often referred to as the disciple whom Jesus loved.

Jackson knows that he is loved and that's why he's the kind of person who relates to others with a sense of warmth.

He has experienced God's love and he is happy to share it with others.

 

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8 NIV)

 

Spiritual insight

Jacob and John were able to discern things beyond the physical realm.

Jacob's vision with the ladder going up to heaven and the book of Revelation are demonstrations of spiritual insight.

 

“He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.” (Genesis 28:12 NIV)

 

Jacob is one of those unique boy names that will inspire your son to be spiritually led. His spiritual beliefs will help him to focus on the spiritual instead of the temporal.

 

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” (Romans 8:5 NIV)

 

What Bible verses contain Jackson?

Though Jackson is not a biblical name it has Hebrew origins which points to John and Jacob.

Here are some Bible verses that mention John, Jacob, and God is gracious which is the translation for Yochanan.

 

Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear ²¹ so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the Lord will be my God ²² and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” (Genesis 28:20-22 NIV)

 

“John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,” (Revelation 1:4 NIV)

 

Stories about Jackson in the Bible

Stories referencing Jackson may be found in the New and Old Testament of the Bible.

The account of Jacob with the ladder going up to heaven (Genesis 28:12) and John the beloved running to Jesus' tomb (John 20) are stories that include the Hebrew names for Jackson.

 

Final thought

Jackson is a popular boy's name which means son of Jack and stems from the name John. The name has rich Hebrew roots and strong biblical meanings.

Son of grace, son of righteousness, and gift of God are biblical meanings of this name while graciousness, loved, and spiritual insight are the spiritual meanings of the name Jackson.