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“So Jacob remained all by himself. Then a man wrestled with him until the break of dawn.” Genesis 32:25, Tree of Life Version On the literal level, Jacob wrestled with an ish (man) on the night before his encounter with Israel. However, the word may also imply “angel,” as may be understood from various other usages, as well as the specific context used here. For example, the three angels who visited Abraham are described as enosh, a derivative of ish, meaning “men” (Genesis 18:2) Also, the “man of G’d,” who appeared to the parents of Shimson (Samson) is also described as a malach (angel) (Judges 13:3, 6, and 13). In the context of Jacob’s wrestling match, the man is an angel who Jacob asks to bless him. The angel responds, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but rather Israel, for you have struggled with G’d and with men, and have overcome” (Genesis 32:27, TLV). “Because thou art magnified with the angels of the L’rd and with the mighty” (Targum Jonathan, sefaria.org). His new name reflects a turning point from “supplanter,” the meaning of Yaakov, to his new name Israel that represents "noble conduct," according to Rashi (sefaria.org). So, the name Yaakov represents his deceit in reappropriating the blessing of the firstborn from Esau. While the name Israel has to do with the mature way that Jacob confronts Esau. It is as if G’d recognizes Jacob’s extra efforts made to bring about a reconciliation with Esau, despite the differences of the past. This may be implied, when the angel conveys a blessing to Jacob (Genesis 32:30). Later, G'd Himself blesses Jacob, "Your name was Jacob. No longer will your name be Jacob, for your name will be Israel" (Genesis 35:10, TLV). “Yes, he wrestled with the angel, and won.” Hosea 12:5, Tree of Life Version "When He saw that He [the Angel] had not overcome him, He struck the socket of his hip, so He dislocated the socket of Jacob's hip, when He wrestled with him" (Genesis 32:26, TLV). The Rashbam comments that this was necessary because Jacob had in mind to flee from Esau, even though he was promised protection by G’d (sefaria.org). Thus, within this context the angel that was sent to wrestle with Jacob, was for the sake of ensuring Jacob’s mission would continue, inasmuch that he would meet with Esau. The Rashbam further comments, that “we find the same thing with all those who go on the road contrary to the wishes of the Holy One, blessed be He, or who refuse to go, that they are punished” (commentary, Genesis 32:29, sefaria.org). One example given by Rashbam pertains to Moses, who initially ask G’d to send someone else instead of him (Exodus 4:13). As a result of Moshe’s hesitance, G’d became angry at him. Also, the prophet Yonah refused at first to call the Ninevites to repentance. He tried to flee on a ship; yet, wound up being cast overboard and swallowed by a whale. If Jacob may have been hesitant to follow through on his mission, how much moreso can the same be said of us? Comparatively speaking, we are not on his madreiga (level). Yet, our trust the L’RD must carry us through the challenges in our lives, as we follow through on our godly convictions. Jacob followed through, despite his initial hesitance, serving as a positive example. Despite the challenges in our lives, we are encouraged to have endurance, and persist until the end. “My righteous one shall live by emunah [faith]; and if he shrinks back, My soul takes no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 20:38, Tree of Life Version).