Jacob Wrestles with God
Genesis 32:22-32
Gen.32.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותעבר: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- המנחה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- על: PREP
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- לן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בלילה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- במחנה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Genesis 32:21 (verbal): Immediate verbal parallel in the same episode—earlier verse describes Jacob’s sending of the presents across the stream, which 32:22 summarizes as the present ‘passing over before him.’
- Genesis 32:24 (structural): Follows directly: Jacob ‘stayed that night’ alone and then wrestled with a divine/angelic figure. 32:22’s note that he lodged that night sets up the nocturnal encounter described in 32:24–32.
- Genesis 33:10–11 (thematic): The presents sent across in 32:22 are finally offered to Esau in chapter 33; both passages emphasize gifts (‘minchah’) as conciliatory tokens in the reconciliation scene.
- 1 Samuel 25:21–25 (thematic): Parallel practice of sending gifts to avert violence and placate a potential adversary—Abigail brings provisions to David to prevent bloodshed, similar in function to Jacob’s gift-sending to Esau.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the gift passed on before him, and he lodged that night in the camp.
- And the gift passed on before him, and he lodged that night in the camp.
Gen.32.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בלילה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שתי: NUM,card,f,du
- נשיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,3,m
- ואת: CONJ
- שתי: NUM,card,f,du
- שפחתיו: NOUN,f,pl,poss3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- ילדיו: NOUN,m,pl,poss3,m,sg
- ויעבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- מעבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יבק: NOUN,prop,m,sg
Parallels
- Gen.31:17-21 (verbal): Jacob rises by night and departs with his wives, children and possessions to escape Laban—closely parallels the language and situation of rising at night and taking the household to cross a boundary.
- Gen.32:24-25 (structural): Immediate literary continuation: after the night crossing Jacob remains and wrestles with the divine visitor. Highlights that the nocturnal crossing precedes the theophanic/transformative encounter.
- Gen.46:5-7 (thematic): Later migration of Jacob and his entire household into Egypt—another scene of moving wives, children and possessions as a family unit before a major turning point in Israel’s history.
- Josh.3:14-17 (thematic): The crossing of the Jordan by Israel (with the ark and the people) before a foundational national transition—echoes the motif of crossing a river/ford prior to a decisive encounter or change.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he rose that night and took his two wives and his two maidservants and his eleven children, and he crossed the ford of the Jabbok.
- And he arose that night and took his two wives and his two maidservants and his eleven children, and he crossed the ford of the Jabbok.
Gen.32.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקחם: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- ויעברם: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הנחל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויעבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Hosea 12:3-4 (allusion): Directly recalls Jacob's nocturnal struggle with the angel/God at Peniel and his prevailing — later prophetic retelling of the Genesis episode.
- Genesis 32:28 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel/continuation: the same episode concludes with the divine renaming of Jacob as Israel after the wrestling.
- Genesis 32:30 (verbal): Jacob's declaration that he has 'seen God face to face' and yet his life was spared — statement that interprets the wrestling encounter.
- Exodus 33:11 (thematic): Both passages use the 'face to face' language for intimate, direct encounters with the divine, highlighting the rarity and intensity of such meetings.
- Judges 13:22 (thematic): The reaction to encountering God — the expectation of death because one has seen God — parallels Jacob's amazement that he survived seeing (or grappling with) the divine.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he took them and caused them to cross the stream, and he caused to cross what was his.
- And he took them and brought them across the stream, and he brought across what was his.
Gen.32.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויותר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לבדו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויאבק: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- עלות: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- השחר: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Gen.32.28-30 (structural): Immediate literary continuation: the night struggle results in Jacob being renamed Israel and his declaration that he has seen God ‘face to face,’ linking the wrestling to a divine encounter.
- Hos.12:3-4 (allusion): Direct allusion to the Jacob story — Hosea recounts Jacob's flight and that he 'struggled with God' and prevailed, echoing the night-long wrestling episode.
- Exod.33:11 (thematic): Uses 'face to face' language for an intimate encounter with God (Moses), thematically paralleling Jacob’s post-wrestling claim to have seen God.
- Eph.6:12 (thematic): Wrestling imagery applied to spiritual conflict ('not against flesh and blood'), thematically resonant with Jacob’s physical/spirited struggle against a heavenly figure.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until the rising of dawn.
- And Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
Gen.32.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- יכל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- ויגע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בכף: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,construct
- ירכו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ותקע: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- כף: NOUN,f,sg,construct
- ירך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בהאבקו: PREP+VERB,hitpael,ptc,ms,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Gen.32.28 (structural): Immediate narrative follow-up: the angel/stranger renames Jacob 'Israel' because he has 'striven with God and with men'—direct link to the wrestling episode and its outcome.
- Gen.32.30 (verbal): Same scene, Jacob's own reflection: after the struggle he says 'I have seen God face to face'—ties the physical encounter (including the injured thigh) to an encounter with the divine.
- Gen.35.10 (structural): Later the name Israel is reaffirmed when God appears to Jacob again; echoes the renaming and covenantal significance of the wrestling episode.
- Hos.12:3-4 (allusion): Prophetic retelling of Jacob's life: Hosea recalls Jacob's struggles (including wrestling with the divine/angel) and frames them theologically, explicitly echoing the Genesis wrestling tradition as formative for Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he saw that he could not prevail against him, and he touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.
- And when he saw that he could not prevail against him, he touched the socket of his hip, and the socket of Jacob's hip was dislocated as he wrestled with him.
Gen.32.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שלחני: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- השחר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- אשלחך: VERB,qal,impf,1,x,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- ברכתני: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 32:28 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode: after Jacob insists on a blessing, the wrestler blesses him and gives the new name Israel — directly linked to the demand in v.27.
- Hosea 12:3-4 (allusion): Hosea recalls Jacob's struggle 'with God and with men' and how he 'prevailed' and 'sought his favor' — an explicit prophetic retelling of the wrestling and Jacob's insistence on blessing/favor.
- Genesis 27:27-29 (thematic): Earlier scene where Jacob obtains Isaac's blessing: both episodes center on Jacob's receipt/pursuit of blessing and theologically frame his status and destiny as blessed.
- Exodus 33:12-17 (thematic): Moses' bold plea for God's presence and assurance ('If your presence does not go...') parallels Jacob's refusal to let go until he obtains God's favorable action — both depict a human insistence on divine blessing/confirmation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said, "Send me away, for the dawn has risen." And he said, "I will not send you away unless you bless me."
- And he said, "Let me go, for the day has broken." But he said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."
Gen.32.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- שמך: NOUN,m,sg,cs,2,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judg.13:17-18 (verbal): Manoah asks the divine messenger directly, “What is thy name?”—a near-verbal parallel in a theophanic encounter where a human inquires about the identity/name of a divine being.
- Exod.3:13-14 (verbal): Moses asks God for his name (“When I come... what shall I say is thy name?”) and receives a revelatory name. Parallels the motif of name and identity being central in a divine encounter.
- Gen.17:5 (structural): God renames Abram “Abraham” as part of a covenantal identity shift. Parallels Jacob’s naming/renaming episode as a moment when name signals changed status and destiny.
- John 1:42 (structural): Jesus gives Simon the new name Cephas (Peter), marking a new identity and mission. This mirrors the New/Old Testament pattern where a divine encounter results in a renaming that signifies transformation.
- Acts 13:9 (thematic): Saul is first introduced as also being called Paul after his conversion (role/name change). The passage reflects the broader biblical theme that names mark new roles or identities following decisive divine encounters.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob."
- And he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob."
Gen.32.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יאמר: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- עוד: ADV
- שמך: NOUN,m,sg,cons+2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אם: CONJ
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- שרית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ועם: CONJ+PREP
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ותוכל: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Gen.35:10 (verbal): God again renames Jacob 'Israel' using essentially the same language — the change of name is reiterated as a divine act conferring a new identity.
- Hosea 12:3-4 (allusion): Explicitly alludes to Jacob’s struggle ('he struggled with the angel' / 'strived with God') and says he prevailed, directly echoing the wrestling motif and outcome of Gen 32:29.
- Gen.17:5 (structural): Abram’s renaming to Abraham parallels Jacob’s renaming to Israel: both are divine name-changes that mark covenant identity and mission.
- John 1:42 (thematic): Peter’s renaming (Simon → Cephas/Peter) reflects the biblical motif of a new name given by a divine agent/representative to signify transformed identity and role, comparable to Jacob → Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed."
- And he said, "No longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed."
Gen.32.30 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישאל: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הגידה: VERB,piel,imp,2,m,sg
- נא: PART
- שמך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- למה: ADV
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- תשאל: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,sg
- לשמי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+1,sg
- ויברך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- שם: ADV
Parallels
- Genesis 32:28-29 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the same encounter in which Jacob's assailant questions Jacob and then blesses him—verse 30 repeats the refusal to give a name and the bestowal of a blessing.
- Exodus 3:13-14 (verbal): Both scenes feature a human leader asking a divine being for his name; in Exodus God answers with the divine self‑name (’I AM’), highlighting the motif of the unanswerable or theologically significant divine name.
- Judges 13:18-19 (thematic): Manoah asks the angel of the LORD his name and is refused—parallel motif of a human requesting a heavenly messenger’s name and receiving no disclosure.
- Hosea 12:3-5 (allusion): Prophetic retelling of Jacob’s wrestling tradition (he 'strove with God/angel' and sought blessing): echoes the theophanic struggle, the plea for favor/blessing, and the encounter’s secrecy about the divine identity.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jacob asked and said, "Please tell me your name." And he said, "Why is this that you ask for my name?" And there he blessed him.
- Then Jacob asked and said, "Tell me, please, your name." And he said, "Why is it that you ask for my name?" And there he blessed him.
Gen.32.31 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יעקב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- פניאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- ראיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- פנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- פנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ותנצל: VERB,nip,impf,3,f,sg
- נפשי: NOUN,f,sg,abs+1cs
Parallels
- Exod.33.11 (verbal): Uses the exact phrase 'face to face' (פנים אל־פנים) to describe Moses' intimate communication with God, directly echoing Jacob's claim to have seen God 'face to face.'
- Exod.33.20-23 (thematic): God declares that no one can see His face and live, yet provides Moses a mediated vision (his back)—this contrasts and clarifies what 'seeing God' means in Genesis 32, where Jacob 'survives' the encounter.
- Exod.24.9-11 (thematic): Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and the elders are said to have 'seen God' and yet ate and drank; parallels Jacob's survival after a direct divine encounter and shows other biblical instances of seeing God.
- Hos.12.3-5 (allusion): The prophet recalls Jacob's night struggle and God-encounter, drawing on Genesis 32 language (wrestling with a divine figure; seeing God) to interpret Jacob's experience in prophetic theology.
- Isa.6.5 (thematic): Isaiah's 'Woe is me... for mine eyes have seen the King' parallels the motif of an overwhelming human encounter with the divine presence that brings fear, transformation, or deliverance, resonant with Jacob's reaction.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, for I have seen God face to face, and my life was spared.
- And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, for I have seen God face to face, and my life has been preserved.
Gen.32.32 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויזרח: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- השמש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כאשר: CONJ
- עבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- פנואל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- צלע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ירכו: NOUN,f,sg,poss,3,m
Parallels
- Genesis 32:24-31 (structural): Immediate context: the night wrestling at the ford of Jabbok that results in the divine encounter, Jacob's thigh being touched, his limp, and the naming of Peniel/Penuel ('face of God').
- Genesis 32:33 (verbal): Direct etiological follow‑up: explains the Israelite prohibition against eating the sciatic nerve because the being touched Jacob's thigh during the struggle.
- Hosea 12:3-4 (allusion): Prophetic retelling of Jacob's struggle with God/angel — he contends, prevails (yet is afflicted), and seeks God's favor; echoes the Peniel episode and its theological significance.
- Exodus 33:11 (thematic): Both passages describe intimate, 'face‑to‑face' encounters with God (Jacob at Peniel; Moses in his tent), highlighting personal divine-human communication despite the later statement that God's face cannot be fully seen (cf. Exod 33:20).
- Genesis 28:10-15 (thematic): Earlier Jacob encounter at Bethel where God appears and promises presence/protection; parallels the motif of divine appearance, place‑naming, and covenantal assurance in Jacob's life.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, and he was limping on his hip.
- And the sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, and he was limping on his hip.
And the gift passed on before him, and he lodged that night in the camp. And he rose that night and took his two wives and his two maidservants and his eleven children and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. And he took them and brought them across the stream, and he brought across all that was his. And Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until the rising of dawn. And he saw that he could not prevail against him, and he touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was dislocated as he wrestled with him. And he said, 'Let me go, for the dawn has risen.' And he said, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.' And he said to him, 'What is your name?' And he said, 'Jacob.' And he said, 'Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men, and you have prevailed.' And Jacob asked and said, 'Tell me, please, your name.' And he said, 'Why is it that you ask for my name?' And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, for I have seen God face to face, and my life was spared. And the sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, and he was limping on his hip.