Jacob Wrestles with God

Illustration of Jacob Wrestles with God
Era
Patriarchs
Date
c. 1880 BC โ‰ˆ Approximate
Reference
Genesis 32:22-32

In the Book of Genesis, as Jacob prepares to reunite with his brother Esau after years of estrangement, he encounters a mysterious divine being while alone by the Jabbok River. Throughout the night, Jacob wrestles with this figure, refusing to release him until receiving a blessing, during which his hip is dislocated. The being then renames Jacob as Israel, meaning "he who struggles with God," symbolizing his perseverance and transformation. This event holds profound significance in Scripture as it marks the origin of the name for the nation of Israel and underscores themes of divine encounter and covenantal identity.

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Did You Know?

1

Throughout the night, Jacob wrestles with this figure, refusing to release him until receiving a blessing, during which his hip is dislocated.

2

The being then renames Jacob as Israel, meaning "he who struggles with God," symbolizing his perseverance and transformation.

3

This event is dated to approximately c. 1880 BC in biblical chronology.

4

This took place at or near Jordan River.

Key Passage

Jacob Wrestles with God

Genesis 32:22-32

A22nd he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.

23 And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. 24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacobโ€™s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. 26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. 29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. 30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. 31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. 32 Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacobโ€™s thigh in the sinew that shrank.

Read full chapter: Genesis 32 โ†’

Meanwhile in the World

Egypt's Old Kingdom builds the pyramids (c. 2600-2100 BC). Mesopotamia is dominated by Akkad and then Ur III. The Indus Valley civilization flourishes. Stonehenge is being constructed in Britain. This is the era of the great ziggurats and the first law codes (Ur-Nammu).

When: c. 2100 - 1800 BC

Key Civilizations: Ur III (Sumer), Old Kingdom Egypt

Biblical Parallels: Genesis 12-50

Explore Related

Characters 2

Jacob Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, played a pivotal role in the biblical narrative as one ofโ€ฆ Esau Esau was the firstborn son of Isaac and Rebekah and the twin brother of Jacob. In a moment of hunger afterโ€ฆ

Places 1

Jordan River The Jordan River marked the eastern boundary that the Israelites crossed under Joshua's leadership to enterโ€ฆ