Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. It was important for Jacob to first recognize and acknowledge who he was before God presented him with the his new name, his new identity: Israel (contender with God. But, more often, names are chosen simply for the sound or for their uniqueness in a sea of Ashleys, Ambers and Abbys. What is your name? in this context, can be understood as, Are you still Jacob, the deceiver, or are you ready to become Israel, the person of conscience?. Isnt Jacob a bit like you and me?! God sovereignly puts Jacob in His place (but mercifully!). Why does God ask Jacob what his NAME is when they wrestle in GENESIS 32 and why is Jacob's answer so significant? International Standard Version Then the man asked him, "What's your name?" "Jacob," he responded JPS Tanakh 1917 Gods name is Wonderful; His Name is JESUS the name above every name; His full God-ness and glory are veiled and not fully revealed, but what do we behold? Put on your royal robe and hold your head high, not in pride or presumption, but in honor of the one who has so graciously chosen you, knowing all your faults and failings, and adores you anyway. Like Jacob, who paid attention to Joseph's dreams, we should be mindful of events and experiences that evoke a sense of the Divine presence. Start your free trial today! He has a new identity for you to walk out, to live in. New Living Translation "Please tell me your name," Jacob said. of At the beginning of this weeks Torah portion, Jacob sends messengers ahead to his estranged brother Esau, who has a large assembly of men coming toward Jacob and his family. God knew that the Israelites would need more than a label to respond to Mosess call. Mary and Joseph were both instructed to name Marys child Jesus (Joshua in Hebrew), a very common name during those times. by Kathleen Krueger | Mar 23, 2018 | Faith | 0 comments. Genesis Jacob wrestles with God - and earns a new name (Genesis 32:22 - 32:32) By Bible Blender Nov 7, 2016 esau, Genesis, Israel (Jacob), jacob, struggle, wrestling At a glance What the story means to us today Jacob's transformation is complete Additional thoughts and considerations What goes around comes around Why did Jacob request a "blessing"? "Why do you want to know my name?" the man replied. Genesis 32:28 - Bible Gateway "What is your name?" the man asked. "Jacob," he replied. - Bible Hub These Scriptures also seem to reveal that we are to reflect on our encounters with God- particularly Gods gracious acts toward us. 28 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." Read Chapter Compare Genesis 32:27-28 Meaning and Commentary INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 32 Enduring Word Bible Commentary Genesis Chapter 32 Have we heard the name before? Jacob signifies a supplanter. But Jacob said, "I will not let you go until you bless me." 28 "What is your name?" the man asked. Living Bible (TLB). The LORD redeems us from the slavery of sin and death so that we can truly know Him as He has revealed Himself in JESUS. It was right for Adam and Eve to be given by God as His vice-regents in creation the authority to name the animals. Isnt God wonderful? 2:6-8). Like Jacob, let our encounters with God by His Spirit through His Word transform us into humble, receptive, children who know that we will prevail through Gods power and persevering prayer. There is still a mystery to God that only He knows, and is unwilling to fully reveal to us. God chooses to keep His holy distance and not to be controlled by sinful man. 3. 2002-2023 My Jewish Learning. It was an indication of not only Jacobs actions, but his character. It is one of the first questions we ask or are asked when meeting someone for the first time. Be encouraged: God continues the work that He begins in us! This grace of revelation is a mystery that is Gods alone to reveal- -and in His good time, if at all. The Angel puts a lasting mark of honour upon him, by changing his name. We might say that God was just striking up a good conversation, but Torah stories of encounters with the Divine tend to be terse and focused. Try Bible Gateway Plus free today! Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. Both Rachel and Isaac die and are buried. And let that draw us into the worship of God through the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Why did God change Jacob's name to Israel? - The Church of Jesus God, how do you see me? What does Genesis 32:29 mean? | BibleRef.com 3:15 And God said further to Moses, "Thus shall you speak to the Israelites: 'YHWH, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This shall be My name forever, this My appellation for all eternity." In the Greek language, the Hebrew name Yaaqob becomes Iakb () in a . You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. The prayer of importunity. ), God was telling Jacob that he was receiving a new identity, one nothing like the one he had been living to that point. said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? Along these lines, Radak (R. David Kimchi, a 12th century French commentator) seems to explain the angels question as just a formality: This question is an opening to the conversation, like Where are you? (Genesis 3:9) and What is that in your hand? (Exodus 4:2), and other similar places, because he knew his name when he was sent to him. Copyright 2019 by Zondervan. Jacob was a man that reveals to us that even the dearest of Gods people have lots of struggles in their lives; struggles with self, with others, and struggles also with God. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. God answered, Tell them, I AM has sent you, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. You will notice that his answer contained more than the label of his name; he defined himself further as the God of their ancestors. Moody Bible Institute 820 N. LaSalle Blvd. Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular, Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular, Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular, Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular, Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular. Genesis, CHAPTER 32 | USCCB So, when Jacob said to God, "My name is Jacob," he was doing more than merely stating his given name. In the Old Covenant, God veils His name sometimes, and denies a full revelation of Himself to Jacob (and Manoah). When I was 17 and got a job drawing caricatures at the amusement park, I was the youngest artist and our boss's name was Steve. The first example Radak offers of a rhetorical question is from story of the Garden of Eden. In the case of Jacob, the messenger seems to want Jacob to think deeply about the meaning of his name, which we learned at his birth would represent the depth of his troubled relationship with his brother. These incidents seem to be a quiet invitation into humbly mediating upon Gods acts and the gracious and merciful character of God that is revealed clearly to us in His acts for us! This is how I see you. Actually, Jacob was confessing that he was a deceiver, a liar, a cheater, and a manipulator. Salem Media Group. The answer to that question really depends upon where and when you are. We dont attach much significance to names or their meanings, these days. There have been many, many interpretations of Jacobs God-wrestling. (A term coined by Arthur Waskow, I believe.) All rights reserved. As we read on in the story, we find that was not the case. 6:00 pm Congregational Prayer Meeting & Hymn Sing, Wednesday, Jul 12 In the original Greek of the New Testament, the names Jacob and James are variants of the same rootboth names stem from the same Hebrew name, Yaaqob (), which is translated "Jacob" throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Genesis 25:29 ). What is the name I have made for myself, and what is the name I am capable of achieving? These incidents foreshadow the incarnation. The Living Bible copyright 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. 3:17-18); we dont behold His glory as the naked deity (or God in Himself or God in His essence) but as the God who makes Himself and His Name known to us in Jesus Christ. [The Man] asked him, What is your name? In receiving their name, we hope to gain some clue into who the person is, beyond what we see. There are some things in our lives that God will not reveal to us. This chapter informs us of Jacob's proceeding on in his journey, and of his being met and guarded by an host of angels, Ge 32:1,2; of his sending messengers to his brother Esau, acquainting him with his increase, and desiring his favour and good will, Ge 32:3-5, who return and report to him, that Esau was coming to him with four hundred men, which put him into a panic, and after devising ways and means for the security of himself; and those with him, at least a part, if not the whole, Ge 32:6-8; then follows a prayer of his to God, pressing his unworthiness of mercies, and his sense of them, imploring deliverance from his brother, and putting the Lord in mind of his promises, Ge 32:9-12; after which we have an account of the wise methods he took for the safety of himself and family, by sending a present to his brother, dividing those who had the charge of it into separate companies, and directing them to move at a proper distance from each other, he, his wives and children, following after, Ge 32:13-23; when they were over the brook Jabbok, he stopped, and being alone, the Son of God in an human form appeared to him, and wrestled with him, with whom Jacob prevailed, and got the blessing, and hence had the name of Israel, Ge 32:24-28; and though he could not get his name, he perceived it was a divine Person he had wrestled with, and therefore called the name of the place Penuel, Ge 32:29-31; the hollow of his thigh being touched by him with whom he wrestled, which put it out of joint, he halted as he went over Penuel, in commemoration of which the children of Israel eat not of that part of the thigh, Ge 32:31,32. The prayer of intense desire. It is the essence of who he is and the motivation behind all that he does. How would you describe yourself, knowing that he already knows the truth, anyway? There you will find the answer to Gods mystery (Eph. He knows completely, perfectly, and exhaustively all things from all eternity, past, present, future, potential, and probable. I give you this name because you have fought with God and with men, and you have won." EHV There is a similar incident of Gods people asking for Gods name in Manoah, Samsons father in Judges 13:17-18. 29 Jacob said, "Please tell me your name.". Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. BEST VALUE in digital Bible study. And He said, Your name shall be called no more Jacob [supplanter], but Israel [contender with God]; for you have contended and have power with God and with men and have prevailed. This is often the case when we ask for someones name, as well. And he said unto him, What is thy name? Why did God ask Jacob for his name? And he called the name of that place Mahanaim. With no one else there and no interruptions, ask God what he thinks of you. And God asks the same question he does here to Jacob: Why do you ask my name?: And Manoah said to the angel of the LORD, What is your name, so that, when your words come true, we may honor you? And the angel of the LORD said to him, Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); It is one of the first questions we ask or are asked when meeting someone for the first time. Jacob finally confessed his true identity (admitting he was a cheater or 'heel-grabber') when confronted by a man () of God (). 28 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.". God chooses to come close to His people in redemptive-history, but He does not reveal everything about Himself. For less than $5/mo. The prayer of faith. Genesis 32:26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. Why Did God Ask for Jacob's Name? | Q&A | Today in the Word And he said, Why is it that you do ask after my name? Genesis 32:29 ESV - Then Jacob asked him, | Biblia 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." Jacob said, "Please tell me your name." But he re. You can change your cookie settings through your browser. Find out more on this episode of Masterpie. 28 Then the man said, "Your name ( B ) will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, [ a ] ( C ) because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome."
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