Genesis 32:27-32 - What is your name?

32:27,28

Knowing someone’s name signified having a certain power over them, even more so if you gave that person their name. Jacob’s name is now changed to Israel. This could mean “he strives with God”, or it could mean “God strives”. The end of v28 would seem to favour the former. We should also note that “Jacob” is still used on various occasions in the Bible. The name, and Jacob’s wrestling with God, should show us beyond all doubt that God is not really into “nice religious” stuff! Or, at least, is not limited to it. (There are times for quiet prayer and worship.)

32:29-32

Jacob then asks the man his name. God refuses to give Jacob His name. Then He blessed Jacob. And it seems that Jacob had now realised that it was God whom he was wrestling with. Jacob declares that he has seen God face to face and lived! Jacob then went on his way, limping. The limp was a permanent reminder of what had taken place, and that it was more than a dream. The sinew of the thigh of an animal was regarded as holy because of this incident, and they did not eat it.