Genesis 32:29 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.

NIV: Jacob said, 'Please tell me your name.' But he replied, 'Why do you ask my name?' Then he blessed him there.

NASB: And Jacob asked him and said, 'Please tell me your name.' But he said, 'Why is it that you ask my name?' And he blessed him there.

CSB: Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name."But he answered, "Why do you ask my name? " And he blessed him there.

NLT: Please tell me your name,' Jacob said. 'Why do you want to know my name?' the man replied. Then he blessed Jacob there.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.” And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there.

Jacob's mysterious attacker in the night has turned out to be God Himself in some physical form. Or, perhaps this was some kind of angel. After a lengthy stalemate, Jacob's opponent delivered a crippling blow to his hip. Jacob refused to submit, however, and insisted on being blessed. The man responded by asking Jacob—a man renowned for his lies and deceptions—to identify himself. Jacob does so, honestly, and God blessed Jacob by renaming him Israel, meaning "God fights."

Now Jacob asks for the man's name, a request which is flatly refused. In that era, knowing a person's name was considered to be a major advantage. It was believed that speaking or invoking a person's name could produce spiritual effects, coercing them or providing leverage. Jacob has already, submissively, given his real name to this man. The stranger, however, does no such thing. This, again, underscores the idea of mankind's total submission and subjection before God. He owes us nothing, and we have no leverage or power over Him, at all.

Genesis 32:22–32 describes the fight Jacob was not expecting. While preparing in fear to meet his brother Esau, Jacob finds himself grappling with an unknown stranger in the dark. He wrestles with the mysterious man for much of the night. Near morning, the man gains a massive advantage over Jacob by dislocating Jacob's hip. Jacob realizes his opponent is divine, and asks for a blessing. Poetically, God insists that Jacob, known for his deception and lies, identify himself first. In response to Jacob's honest answer, God changes his name to Israel and blesses him. As the sun rises, Jacob limps to rejoin his family and meet his brother.

As Jacob turns from Laban and returns to his own country, he must face another fearful potential conflict. His twin brother Esau is coming with 400 men. Jacob fears this group approaches to take revenge for cheating Esau out of the family blessing 20 years earlier. Jacob is so afraid that he splits his company into two camps, even as he prays for deliverance. He also prepares an enormous gift to appease Esau. Finally, while alone in the dark, Jacob is unexpectedly forced to wrestle a mysterious man, who turns out to be God Himself in some manifested form. In a profound moment of symbolism, God forces Jacob to state his own name, which God then changes to Israel.

Jacob came to work for Laban while running from the murderous rage of his twin brother, Esau. Jacob was routinely cheated by Laban, eventually resolving to go back home along with his entire family. Unfortunately, this means coming back to face Esau. Jacob soon learns that Esau is headed his way with 400 men. Are they coming to kill Jacob in revenge for his deceit in stealing Isaac's blessing 20 years earlier? Jacob is afraid. He divides his large company into two camps. He prays earnestly to God for deliverance, and he prepares a huge gift to appease Esau. Finally, alone in the dark, Jacob physically grapples with a mysterious man who turns out to be God Himself, in some form. The man questions Jacob, changes his name to Israel, and pronounces a blessing. Thus prepared, Jacob will finally be reunited with his brother in the next chapter.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 5/5/2024 5:00:34 AM