There are several sets of twins in the Bible.
1. Jacob and Esau – Jacob and Esau, sons of Isaac and Rebecca, are the first twins mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 25:19-28). The story of Jacob is told in Genesis 25:19-37:36 and 42:1-50:3. The story of Esau is found in Genesis 25:19-28:9, 32:1 -33:20, and 35:27-36:43. From Jacob the twelve tribes of Israel descended. Esau became the father of the Edomites (Genesis 36:19,43; Obadiah 1:6; Malachi 1:2-3).
2. Perez and Zerah – Judah’s daughter-in-law, Tamar, was widowed and did not want to be childless. Wrapping her face in a veil and disguising herself as a prostitute, she intercepts Judah on the road and he sleeps with her. The result of their union was Perez and Zerah (Genesis 38:12-30). From Perez would come the family of David (Ruth 4:18-22).
3. Ephraim and Manasseh – The Bible does not directly state that the two sons of Joseph and Asenath were twins, but there is good reason to believe they were. First, Genesis mentions they were both born “before the year of famine came” (Genesis 41:50). Second, two conceptions are not mentioned in the text. Third, if they are twins they fit nicely into the pattern seen in the lives of Isaac and Judah: both their younger twins inherited the birthright, just as the younger Ephraim was blessed first by Jacob (Genesis 48:19). Jacob promised that both Ephraim and Manasseh would become patriarchs of a multitude, which began a traditional blessing said in Israel: “God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh” (Genesis 48:20).
3. Thomas and his unnamed sibling – Thomas was one of the twelves apostles (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). His name means “twin.” His surname was Didymus (John 11:16; 20:24; 21:2), meaning “double,” or “twofold.” Thomas is perhaps best known as “Doubting Thomas” because of the resurrection story in John 20:24-29, but other stories in the Gospel of John reveal Thomas to be a man of great devotion of to Christ (John 11:16; 14:5).
4. Castor and Pollux – This probably shouldn’t make the list, but I’ll include it to be thorough. In Acts 28:11 we read that Paul sailed aboard an Alexandrian ship with the figureheads of Castor and Pollux on it. In Greek mythology these were the twin sons of Zeus and Leda, and were the patron deities of sailors.
Cain & Abel are the first twins of the Bible. It states in Gen. 4 that Eve gave birth to Cain then later gave birth to Abel. The Hebrew phrase for a continued act is used when read in Hebrew and let’s not forget that before hand the sexual relation is noted. It is only,noted once before Eve gave birth to Cain then Abel . The next time sexual relations are mentioned again between Adam & Eve was to give an account for the birth of Seth.
Thanks for the pointers on Hebrew. I’ve never read that interpretation before. I’ll have to do a little more research on that.
NP God,bless. I was blown away with it too when it was taught to,me. I had always believed that 1st twin rivalry was between Jacob & Esau but when you go back and read it, knowing that they were twins you realize just how and sutil that crafty old serpant was/is.
The word for again as a continuous act is yachaph pronounces yaw-saf.
Ok word may be wrong. Will look it up later: at the movies now getting dirty looks.,Sorry