The scene of Jacob’s wrestling raises many thoughts, the most important are those two simple questions: Who wins, really? And who is his opponent? Throughout Jacob’s life, he has had an adverse relationship with his brother, Esau, who even threatens to kill Jacob. So, the reader initially may believe that this wrestling is symbolic of Jacob’s fear of his brother, and that he is metaphorically wrestling with his conscience and his fears. However, Jacob walks away with a limp: a physical reminder of his struggle that will be passed down to the children of Israel. This limp serving as a reminder that seems to connect with Abraham and circumcision: God’s reminder that the realization of promises is God’s work, not man’s alone. This indicates that it is not just an internal struggle, but instead Jacob is fighting with a divine being. The figure gives Jacob a new name, which points back to when God gave Abraham a new name. This suggests again that this figure may have divine powers, and this figure is most likely an angel in human form.
Although Jacob is hurt and ends up with a limp, he ultimately wins in the fight. The figure gives Jacob a new name, Israel, along with a blessing. As we have seen previously, a blessing usually results in success and prosperity. Additionally, Jacob had prayed earlier in Genesis 32 but did not receive an answer from God. If in fact the figure with whom he wrestles is a divine being, Jacob is getting the interaction and response he wanted. By wrestling with the divine, he is fulfilling as Leon Kass writes “his desire to be close to God, even as he struggles with and against Him.” He becomes more engaged with God and gains a better understanding of Him. Jacob, or Israel, struggle in the dark relates to his struggle in the womb with Esau. He emerges from the darkness renamed, making the wrestling match appearing as a second birth; this time he is the winner instead of Esau. The sun rising upon him after the fight implies a new life, this time with more knowledge.
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Emma, I really like the connection that you drew between Jacob’s fight with an unknown figure and his fight with Esau in the womb. I had never thought to draw a parallel between the two of those events! Do you think that the figure with whom Jacob was fighting was an angel? Is that why this figure was able to give Jacob a new name? I enjoyed reading your post!
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Emma, it’s an interesting connection you draw between Jacob’s limp and the act of circumcision in Abraham’s covenant with God — I never thought of drawing that connection before. It makes sense, as both are results of men taking for themselves what is only God’s to give; particularly relating to the conceiving of children. Your interpretation of the renaming of Jacob to Israel as a second birth is also intriguing. Do you think this second birth changes how Jacob will act in the day to come?
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Emma,
Great analysis of the story of Jacob. Your thoughts on what the unknown figure is are all compelling and I think you are right in assuming it is a divine entity. Additionally, your connection between the sun as a metaphorical figure representing the end of the fight and ultimate closeness to God is intriguing to be sure. Why do you think the limp is symbolic of the struggle of the people of Israel as opposed to possibly a symbol of God’s relationship with mankind? Great job overall!
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Emma,
Great response! You make a very strong argument about who the unknown figure is. I too wrote about the walking away with the limp as similar to the circumcision. Do you think Jacobs understanding of this encounter and new identity will transform him into a new being that is in a closer relationship with god? Overall, very strong points and great post!
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