Who did Jacob "really" wrestle with?

[Sirsilius]

This is a little puzzling to say the least.

Who did Jacob really wrestle with? Some say against an Angel. Some say against God Himself.

How could have Jacob prevailed against an Angelic being, or God Himself?

Are we to take these verses literally? Or are they allegorical and if so, what is the meaning?

Gen 32:24 Afterwards, Jacob went back and spent the rest of the night alone. A man came and fought with Jacob until just before daybreak.

Gen 32:25 When the man saw that he could not win, he struck Jacob on the hip and threw it out of joint.

Gen 32:26 They kept on wrestling until the man said, "Let go of me! It's almost daylight." "You can't go until you bless me," Jacob replied.

Gen 32:27 Then the man asked, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered.

Gen 32:28 The man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob. You have wrestled with God and with men, and you have won. That's why your name will be Israel."

Gen 32:29 Jacob said, "Now tell me your name." "Don't you know who I am?" he asked. And he blessed Jacob.

Gen 32:30 Jacob said, "I have seen God face to face, and I am still alive." So he named the place Peniel.

Edited August 18, 2005 by Sirsilius

[Sirsilius]

No Takers? Any comments, thoughts, views.....

[amazingrace]

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<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Bible says it was God. Genesis 32:28-30 That's all I have to say.

[Sirsilius]

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Edited August 18, 2005 by Sirsilius

[Trinity]

"Your name will no longer be Jacob. You have wrestled with God and with men, and you have won.

I believe God let him win, it wasn't so much the he won in strangth but God was testing him-(He won the challenge). What was Jacob wrestling for? he was wresting for God's Blessing, so i believe God want to see how baddly Jacob really wanted it.

[Sirsilius]

"Your name will no longer be Jacob. You have wrestled with God and with men, and you have won.

I believe God let him win, it wasn't so much the he won in strangth but God was testing him-(He won the challenge). What was Jacob wrestling for? he was wresting for God's Blessing, so i believe God want to see how baddly Jacob really wanted it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's an excellent point, Trinity!

Thanks

[Atalyah]

Hosea 12 tells us that it was an angel he wrestled with:

4 "Yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed: he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him in Bethel, and there he spake with us;"

Consider also 1 Tim. 6:16 - God is invisible

God was represented by an angel (as is not uncommon in scripture)

Some quick notes on the significance of this event.

Jacob wrestling was as night (34:25). This foreshadowed the 'night' of the Jews during the gentile times.

But there will come a time when God wil "save him that halteth"

l

Zeph 3:

19 Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame.

20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.

Micah 4:

6 In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;

7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever

another cross ref....

Jer 31:11

10

[DaBronx]

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I had heard that it wasn't a physical fight that it was a mental struggle...BUT then...what does it mean that his hip was broken?

So, I wanted to ask my Pastor before I responded to you...

[Remnantrob]

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The Bible says it was God. Genesis 32:28-30 That's all I have to say.

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Maybe Jesus? I'll say no more.

[Guest Zayit]

Yes, it was the pre-incarnate Yeshua, who was from the before the foundation of the earth and heavens. It was the same that visited Abraham before Sodom and also when he took Isaac up to Mt Moriah to slaughter him. Also the one who spoke with Hagar.

If angels can take on flesh to be seen of flesh eyes, how much more the One True G-d?

In Judaism he is called the 'Memra'.