Jacob’s Name is Changed to Israel in Apparent Adoption

Jacob’s Name is Changed to Israel in Apparent Adoption: Jacob’s life is about to change greatly and it will even affect us today. His name change is powerful because it was changed to Israel, which means power as a prince or he a prince of GOD (in paleo Hebrew terms).

It is a powerful meeting that took place and exalted the family of Abraham even further as Jacob is now the crown prince in the earth and his descendants.

Genesis 32:22-32 KJV

[22] Moreover he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. [23] Also he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.

[24] And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. [25] Moreover when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

[26] And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. [27] Also he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. [28] And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Peniel: I Have Seen GOD Face to Face and Lived

[29] And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. Again he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? Furthermore he blessed him there. [30] And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

[31] And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. [32] Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank.

Brief Comments

Jacob got up with his family and passed over the ford of Jabbok. He sent his family away and was left alone. A man approached him and he wrestled the man; they wrestled all night until the day was set to break.

Jacob learned very soon he wouldn’t win this battle and the man also knew he wouldn’t win. Then something happened. The man touched Jacob on the hollow of his thigh and immediately Jacob’s thigh was out of joint. Yet, he still wrestled.

The man commanded Jacob to let him go, but Jacob would not. Jacob would only let him go if the man left a blessing. This means Jacob knew what type of “man” he was wrestling with. The man asked Jacob his name, he replied, “Jacob.”

As a Prince He Has Power

Then he changed Jacob’s name saying his name now is Israel because as a prince he has power with the ALMIGHTY and with men and prevailed. Wow! Jacob asked the man his name and he wouldn’t give it but left Jacob there who named the place Peniel.

He gave it that name because he saw the ALMIGHTY, face to face, and his life was preserved. He passed over Penuel with a limp and this is why the children of Israel do not eat the sinew or hip muscle of any animal to this day. Praise the LORD ALMIGHTY.

More 5 Minute Studies

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The disciples asked, “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

BibleStudyMinistry.com with KingdomOfPriests.com are working together with others to usher in the Kingdom of the ALMIGHTY! Join us!