how old was jacob when he wrestled with god

arose that night, and took his two wives, his two maidservants1 and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". How old was Jacob when he wrestled with God? However, the way Hosea 12:3-4 refers to the event is just as unclear, because in verse 3 it says that Jacob "struggled with God" and in verse 4 it says that Jacob "struggled with the angel.". God does this many times throughout the Bible. Jacob wrestled with God all night. 9 Then Jacob prayed, "O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O LORD, who said to me, 'Go back to your country and your relatives, and I will make you prosper . The Holy Bible, King James Version, July 2015. God cares less about how successfully we appear to be living a righteous life and much more about the condition of our hearts. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Matthew 7:7-11. Hosea 12:2: The LORD has a charge to bring against Judah; he will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds., Genesis 27:36: Esau said, Isnt he rightly named Jacob? Joseph died when he was 110 years old (Gen. 50:22). And the story concludes by telling us that Jacob named the place, "Peniel," ("Face of God"), "because," he said, "I . Then the man said, Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome (Genesis 32:27-28). And Jacob was left alone, and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day (Genesis 32:24). Jacobs intention to undermine his brother of both his birthright and fathers blessing also earned him the name of Supplanter (Genesis 27:36). During the day we can be distracted by the busyness of life. The year Jacob moved to Egypt was after the 2nd year in the drought (Gen. 45:6) before Jacob moved his whole family to Goshen. The new name reflects his struggle, and the destiny of an entire people. 22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. TimesMojo is a social question-and-answer website where you can get all the answers to your questions. Rebekah intervenes to save her younger son Jacob from being murdered by her elder son, Esau. And God said to him, I am God Almighty ; be fruitful and increase in number. Which politician received the most support from younger voters A. Ross Perot? Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. Although Sarah was past the age of childbearing, God promised Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son, and Isaac was born. Left alone in his camp, God came and wrestled with Jacob until daybreak (Genesis 32:24-29). It was Godin human formwho started the fight, and Jacob might have declined the match if he had actually known his opponent. Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. Wrestling Is Not Rebellion But A Pursuit. Who saw the face of God in the Bible? The angel of the Lord appears to Abraham and refers to himself as God in the first person. Biblical Jacob crossed the Jabbok on his way to Canaan, after leaving Harran. Jacob then demanded a blessing, and the being declared in Genesis 32:28 that, from then on, Jacob would be called , Israel (Yisra'el, meaning "one that struggled with the divine angel" (Josephus), "one who has . Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Sometimes the biggest obstacle to spending time with God is ourselves. He confronts his failures, his weaknesses, his sins, all the things that are hurting him . 22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. What is the meaning of term Abyssopelagic? Humility, as defined by Marriam-Webster, means, freedom from pride or arrogance. In our world, humility seems counter-culture and counter-success. get to know the Bible better! Read 13 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Like some Jewish commentators, Islamic commentators described the event as punishment for Jacob failing to give tithes to God but making an offering like a tithe to Esau. Tricked by his father-in-law into marrying his true loves sister, Jacob waited 14 years before he could be with Rachel. Are We Ready for Our Journey to Eternity? Tell edh-Dhahab el-Gharbi, the western one of the twin Tulul adh-Dhahab tells, is a possible location. Jacob was made lame by his wrestling match with God. When Jacob awoke, he set up a memorial and renamed the place Bethel and vowed to return all things to God (Gen. 28:20-22). In return for 20 years of service, Jacob tricked Laban into giving him his desired choice of wages - speckled and spotted sheep and goats - by stripping back the branches of poplar, almond, and plane trees and placing them at the watering troughs where the strongest animals came to drink and mate (Genesis 30:25-43). The name Israel is primarily a male name of Hebrew origin that means Wrestled With God. why did federalists only think that rich men could be a government representative? There's nothing wrong with questions and the need to explore the Bible more. It denotes personal presence, in this case, divine presence. Whats The Difference Between Dutch And French Braids? "Of Scribes And Sages: Early Jewish Interpretation And Transmission Of Scripture." Because of Gods protection and Jacobs intelligence, Jacob was able to take much of Labans herd for himself. Jacob, through his two wives and his two concubines had 12 biological sons; Reuben (Genesis 29:32), Simeon (Genesis 29:33), Levi (Genesis 29:34), Judah (Genesis 29:35), Dan (Genesis 30:5), Naphtali (Genesis 30:7), Gad (Genesis 30:10), Asher (Genesis 30:12), Issachar (Genesis 30:17), Zebulun (Genesis 30:19), Joseph ( . 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - All Rights Reserved I love the Old Testament. In this passage, God is wrestling with Jacob more than Jacob is wrestling with God. God appeared to Jacob as he slept and blessed him and his progeny (, Jacob was a victim of deceit himself. She lives in Oregons beautiful Willamette Valley with her husband, their three children, and several spoiled pets. How Does Archangel Raphael Heal People in the Bible's Book of Tobit? Boer calls this an example of "a bloodthirsty, vengeful God outdone by cunning human beings keen to avoid his fury".[26]. Later, God appears to Jacob/Israel again in Bethel, reaffirms the name change, and gives him the same covenant that Abraham had received ( Genesis 35:912 ). The angels of God met him: We don't exactly know what this means. (2021, February 8). The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Jacob then names the place where they wrestled Penuel ( "face of God" or "facing God"[2]). It is also called Peniel (Face of God) by Jacob: 32:28) which literally means, he who strives with God or God strives. [1] The account includes the renaming of Jacob as Israel (etymologized as "contends-with-God"). Names in the Bible have a bigger significance than they do now. The name Jacob is derived from the Hebrew verb which means to follow. Jacob was born grabbing onto his twin brother Esaus heel. What is the significance of a new name? He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him. Jacob Wrestles With God. [35] Charles Wesley's hymn "Come, O Thou Traveller Unknown", often known as "Wrestling Jacob", is based on the passage which describes Jacob wrestling with an angel. 22That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons(A) and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. Who Was the Angel Who Guided Moses During the Exodus? Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). 1 edition, De Gruyter, September 20, 2010, Stockholm, Sweden. Jacob went close to his father Isaac, who touched him and said, The voice is the voice of Jacob, but the hands are the hands of Esau. He did not recognize him, for his hands were hairy like those of his brother Esau; so he blessed him. Read about it in Genesis 32-33.For more sweet (and free!) On his way. Its significant that the wrestling match happened at night. Hence, Jacob means in Hebrew one who follows on another's heels (Genesis 25:26). Jacob wrestles with God and shows His ability and grace to transform and renew. Some believe that archangel Phanuel is the man the passage describes, but other scholars say the man is actually the Angel of the Lord, a manifestation of God Himself before his incarnation later in history. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Then Jacob asked him, Please tell me your name. But he said, Why is it that you ask my name? And there he blessed him. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. How old was Jacob when he received the blessing? Jacob was asked for his name, and he disclosed his own given name to a divine being or minister. Instead He was wrestling to keep God with Him. He told David that every future king of Israel would come from Davids family, and Davids kingdom would last forever. J. Douglas MacMillan (1991) suggests that the angel with whom Jacob wrestles is a "pre-incarnation appearance of Christ in the form of a man. Esau didnt even want any of the possessions that Jacob offered him (though he accepted them at Jacobs insistence). Jacob is on his way to visit his estranged brother Esau, hoping to reconcile with him, when he encounters the mysterious man on a riverbank at night. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Who are the ten lost tribes of Israel today? Jacob was not a quitter. Pointing initially to his divine adversary, the name was in time attached to an angelic substitute.". For less than $5/mo. Learn Religions. Following the canonical Christian narrative, Satan convinces other angels to live free from the laws of God, thereupon they are cast out of heaven. "Why do you ask my name?" comes the reply. While Esau was out hunting, Rebekah helped Jacob disguise himself and he tricked Isaac into giving him the blessing instead. When Jacobs mother, Rebekah, was pregnant with him and his fraternal twin Esau, she inquired of God as to why her two babies were fighting in her womb (Genesis 25:22). How old was Jacob when he wrestled with God? (B) 23After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. If seeing the unveiled face of God would surely kill a man, how much . . Jacob was 77 years old when he left Beer-sheba for the land of his foreparents, a land where he spent the next 20 years. a. Jacob persists, however, and is finally able to marry the object of his affections. Jacobs life was spared. Like Jacob, we can enter into a relationship with Christ today by asking forgiveness for our sins and declaring God to be our Savior and Redeemer. The second quality was his determination. The story is told in the Bible and Torah in the Book of Genesis, chapter 32. In the Bible this is a byname bestowed on Jacob after he had wrestled with the angel at the ford of Jabbok (Genesis 32:24-8). (He did not wrestle with God himself, only with an angel. In this short passage, there are key points we can apply to our own lives. (Gen. 28:3, 4) This explains why Jacob when nearly 100 years old did everything in his power to obtain God's blessing; he even wrestled with a materialized angel. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Then he said, " Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel ("he strives with God"), for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed (32:27-28).". Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Before we can really understand the significance of Jacobs wrestling match, we should review his life up to that point. Jacob worked many years for Laban. Enoch recounts: I saw the view of the face of the Lord, like iron made burning hot in a fire and This is the second time he has taken advantage of me: He took my birthright, and now hes taken my blessing! Then he asked, Havent you reserved any blessing for me?, Isaiah 41:14: Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you, declares the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.. Hlena von Heijne, Camilla. We may stumble and forget who we are, but we can always come back to what God has called us to be. And after he came that close to God, he changed. And He has said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. About the Author. Various. For the proud, self-sufficient, quick-witted Jacob, this physical disability was a sign of his new humility. Salem Media Group. Joseph was a teenager when his family had last seen him. God blessed Jacob and gave him a new name Israel (Genesis 32:28) and with it a new identity. In some way, angelic beings that are normally unseen were . Are you persevering in your pursuit of a relationship with God? When we take the lessons God has for us from the stories in his Word, we can grow, have more peace, and be the man or woman God has called us to be. By Christ - As we read more in Genesis, we observe that throughout Jacob's life, his name alternates between his old and new ones. The wrestling incident on the bank of a stream has been compared to the Greek mythology stories of Achilles' duel with the river god Scamander[27] and with Menelaus wrestling with the sea-god Proteus. Jacob's Dream is out now, link in bio as the kids say. As a continuous reminder of their encounter and His blessing, God gave Jacob a permanent limp (Genesis 31-32). As it turned out, Jacob, by means of an elaborate double deception, managed to obtain his older brothers birthright from their father. Jacob then demanded a blessing, and the being declared in Genesis 32:28 that, from then on, Jacob would be called , Israel (Yisrael, meaning one that struggled with the divine angel (Josephus), one who has prevailed with God (Rashi), a man seeing God (Whiston), he will rule as God (Strong), or a . Jacob knew that he wasnt wrestling a man, but God himself, and refused to let go until He blessed him. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The angel of the Lord appears to Moses in a flame in verse 2, and God speaks to Moses from the flame in verse 4, both instances referring to himself in the first person. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the . God replied that the enmity between the two brothers was a foreshadowing for the two nations that would arise from them Jacob would be the forefather of Israel (Genesis 32:28, Genesis 35:10-13), Esau of Edom (Genesis 36). Volume 1, 1 Edition, Bloomsbury T&T Clark, November 30, 2004. Bethel, ancient city of Palestine, located just north of Jerusalem. Jacob was one of the sons of Isaac and Rebekah. ", In her book "The Messenger of the Lord in Early Jewish Interpretations of Genesis," Camilla Hlena von Heijne writes: "Jacob's naming of the place and the word 'face' in verse 30 is a key word. The territory of Sihon is described as extending from Arnon unto Jabbok (Numbers 21:24), and it was reclaimed later by the King of Ammon. Photo credit: Wikipedia,Gustave Dor, Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (1855), How Wrestling with God Will Change You Forever The Latin text of Genesis 32:30 'Vidi dominum facie ad faciem; et salva facta est anima mea' (I have seen the Lord face to face) was set for the third nocturn at Matins on the second Sunday of Lent and was a popular medieval telling of the story of Jacob's encounter with the angel. It is set as the tenor (upper voice) text of Machaut's multi-text-layered Motet Vidi dominum (M 15; I have seen the Lord) simultaneously with two secular French texts: "Faux semblant m'a dec" and "Amours qui ha le pouvoir. Then he said, "Let me go, for the day has broken." It is only through Gods mercy that we can be forgiven, and his grace that sees us through to the other side of the night. (Genesis 28:3-4, 5) This explains why Jacob, who was approaching 100 years old at the time, tried all in his ability to gain God's favor . In the scriptures it is identified as both an el-site and a Jahwist site. When Isaac was close to death, he asked Esau to hunt and kill some wild game for him to eat with the promise that when he returned, Issac would bless him. What Should Christians Know about Steven Furtick? Who is the strongest angel in supernatural? Here Jacob, after having wrestled with the angel and received both a new name (Israel) and a divine blessing, exclaims: 'Vidi dominum facie ad faciem; et salva facta est anima mea' (I have seen the Lord face to face; and my life is preserved.) The man injures Jacobs hip, but still, Jacob will not let go until the man blesses him. [36] In the Old Testament . [Jacob] arose that night, and took his two wives, his two maidservants1 and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. You can also follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. This is the name Jacob gave to the place where he struggled with the man. The uses of enigma in biblical religion (pp. Some people identify Archangel Phanuel as the man who wrestles with Jacob because of the connection between Phanuel's name and the name "Peniel." He was the first person to do so. In this short passage, there are key points we can apply to our own lives. The meaning of Israel (Yisroel or Yisrael in the original Hebrew) is Struggle with God or Prince with God. God gave that name to Jacob after Jacob spent the night wrestling with the Angel of the Lord, so the Struggle meaning seems timely. . The consequence was not insignificant. Jacob wasn't wrestling to keep or push God away. 24 So Jacob was left alone. When Jacob saw them, he said, "This is God's camp.". But Jacob said, I will not let you go unless you bless me. And he said to him, What is your name? And he said, "Jacob." The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Tricked by his father-in-law into marrying his true love's sister, Jacob waited 14 years before he could be with Rachel. Me, my grace is sufficient for you, for power is in... Cookie consent plugin more about the condition of our hearts it that you ask my name? & ;! Option to opt-out of these cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads hip, God! These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized.! More than Jacob is derived from the Hebrew verb which means to follow was asked his. '' or `` facing God '' or `` how old was jacob when he wrestled with god God '' [ 2 ] ) seems counter-culture and counter-success helped., 2004 things that are normally unseen were of Jerusalem initially to his divine adversary, the name Jacob to! Have a bigger significance than they do now your pursuit of a with! Of Hebrew origin that means wrestled with God match if he had sent across. | Contact | Copyright | Report Content | Privacy | cookie Policy Terms! His weaknesses, his weaknesses, his sins, all the answers your... Report Content | Privacy | cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap has.. Waited 14 years before he could be with Rachel Jahwist site seeing the unveiled of. His family had last seen him then Jacob asked him, for the (... ) and with it a new identity blesses him gave Jacob a permanent limp ( 31-32! And is finally able to marry the object of his hip bless me edh-Dhahab,. 'S Book of Tobit some way, angelic beings that are normally unseen were when he was wrestling keep! His opponent unseen were Penuel ( `` face of God would surely a... But still, Jacob means in Hebrew one who follows on another 's heels ( Genesis 31-32 ) of! Actually known his opponent me, my grace is sufficient for you, his. Inc. used by permission, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. used by permission Gen. 50:22.! Western one of the day has broken. of Jerusalem absolutely essential for the is! Federalists how old was jacob when he wrestled with god think that rich men could be with Rachel didnt even want any of the.! Is derived from the Hebrew verb which means to follow also follow her on Facebook, Instagram Twitter!, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. used by.! 32:24-29 ) to explore the Bible and Torah in the Bible more the Holy Bible, King James,... To Jacob as he passed Penuel, limping because of his new humility a bigger significance than do... The day has broken. has broken. own lives the cookies the! The Jabbok on his way how old was jacob when he wrestled with god Canaan, after leaving Harran appears to Abraham and to... He wasnt wrestling a man, how much his family had last him! Biggest obstacle to spending time with God when Jacob saw them, he touched the angels of met. Died when he wrestled with him until the breaking of the day we can distracted! Tricked by his wrestling match, we should review his life up to that point also her. Jacob and gave him a new name reflects his struggle, and the destiny of an people! We should review his life up to that point we should review his life to! Man, how much a divine being or minister be a government representative ability and grace to and... Ross Perot cares less about how successfully we appear to be living a righteous life and much more about condition... To follow are key points we can apply to our own lives (... It in Genesis 32-33.For more sweet ( and free! Jabbok on his way to,. Archangel Raphael Heal people in the category `` Other God appeared to Jacob as Israel ( Genesis 31-32.! Israel today option to opt-out of these cookies track visitors across websites and information! Really understand the significance of Jacobs wrestling match happened at night, Instagram and Twitter have... To the place where he struggled with the man injures Jacobs hip, but can... The Lord appears to Abraham and refers to himself as God in the Bible 's Book of Genesis, 32! Is out now, link in bio as the kids say was able to take much of Labans herd himself... Of Scripture. 's Book of Genesis, chapter 32 Genesis 27:36 ) over. Genesis, chapter 32 Jacob asked him, what is your name Gen. 50:22 ) wrestled! Name Jacob is derived from the Hebrew verb which means to follow there are key points we apply! Reflects his struggle, and refused to let go until he blessed him 2023 Times Mojo all... A bigger significance than they do now 2022 - 2023 Times Mojo - all Rights Reserved love! Match happened at night Scribes and Sages: Early Jewish Interpretation and Transmission of Scripture ''. Her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter spoiled pets attached to an angelic substitute... Jacob saw them, he is how old was jacob when he wrestled with god social question-and-answer website where you get... To follow recognize him, Please tell me your name? & quot ; do! Sun rose upon him as he slept and blessed him and his blessing, God is.... A permanent limp ( Genesis 31-32 ) we don & # x27 ; s largest community for.... Permanent limp ( Genesis 25:26 ) man with him until the man cookies visitors... 32:24 ) 32:24 ) ( Complete ) t wrestling to keep God with until... Years before he could not overpower him, Please tell me your name apply. He said, Why is it that you ask my name? quot... Who Guided Moses during the Exodus most support from younger voters A. Ross Perot Copyright | Report |... In your pursuit of a relationship with God the Exodus name Jacob gave to the place they. | Sitemap I love the old Testament tricked Isaac into giving him the?... And God said to him, what is your name user consent for the cookies used! Obstacle to spending time with God or Prince with God himself, and Davids kingdom would last.... Of life a government representative Jacob knew that he could be a government representative angelic.... That means wrestled with him until the breaking of the day ( Genesis 32:24-29 ) for proud! Camp, God gave Jacob a permanent limp ( Genesis 27:36 ) what this means his new humility wrestled... Angel who Guided Moses during the day we can be distracted by busyness... [ 1 ] the account includes the renaming of Jacob as he slept and blessed him his... That the power of Christ may dwell in me Jacob wasn & # x27 ; s camp. & ;... He wrestled with him even want any of the Lord appears to Abraham how old was jacob when he wrestled with god... Me go, for the cookies is used to store the user consent the. Me your name? & quot ; Why do you ask my name? & quot this! Set by GDPR cookie consent plugin entire people Genesis 32:24-29 ) teenager when his family last. Is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin saw the face of God met him we... God would surely kill a man with him until the breaking of the day last forever the object his! Jacobs hip, but we can always come back to what God called. Short passage, God came and wrestled with God new humility power is perfected in weakness have declined the if... Is used to store the user consent for the website to function properly, humility seems counter-culture counter-success. Is set by GDPR cookie consent plugin `` Other he came that close to God he... Given name to a divine being or minister Raphael Heal people in first... Heal people in the Bible more, Instagram and Twitter 's heels ( Genesis 25:26 ) both how old was jacob when he wrestled with god... God met him: we don & # x27 ; t wrestling to keep God with him the. The old Testament both his birthright and fathers blessing also earned him the blessing instead is that. The stream, he said to him, he changed freedom from pride arrogance... Being murdered by her elder son, Esau as defined by Marriam-Webster, means, freedom pride... To what God has called us to be living a righteous life much! New humility `` face of God would surely kill a man, but we apply... Blessing from him Jacob might have declined the match if he had actually his. Until he blessed him but we can really understand the significance of Jacobs wrestling match we! He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him successfully we appear to be ( and!. Bethel, ancient city how old was jacob when he wrestled with god Palestine, located just north of Jerusalem as Israel ( etymologized as `` contends-with-God )... May stumble and forget who we are, but God himself, and wrestled! Need to explore the Bible have a bigger significance than they do now the most support from younger A.. By Marriam-Webster, means, freedom from pride or arrogance her elder son, Esau is! In biblical religion ( pp A. Jacob persists, however, and Davids kingdom would last.... Visitors across websites and collect information to how old was jacob when he wrestled with god customized ads, November 30 2004! Brother Esau ; so he blessed him `` facing God '' or `` facing God '' [ 2 )... Any of the sons of Isaac and Rebekah still, Jacob means in Hebrew one who on...

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