Genesis 32:24

24 Doch Jakob bleef alleen over; en een man worstelde met hem, totdat de dageraad opging.

Genesis 32:24 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 32:24

And Jacob was left alone
On the other side of Jabbok, his family and cattle having passed over it; and this solitude he chose, in order to spend some time in prayer to God for the safety of him and his: and there wrestled a man with him;
not a phantasm or spectre, as Josephus F5 calls him; nor was this a mere visionary representation of a man, to the imagination of Jacob; or done in the vision of prophecy, as Maimonides F6; but it was something real, corporeal, and visible: the Targum of Jonathan says, it was an angel in the likeness of a man, and calls him Michael, which is not amiss, since he is expressly called an angel, ( Hosea 12:4 ) ; and if Michael the uncreated angel is meant, it is most true; for not a created angel is designed, but a divine Person, as appears from Jacob's desiring to be blessed by him; and besides, being expressly called God, ( Genesis 32:28 Genesis 32:30 ) ; and was, no doubt, the Son of God in an human form; who frequently appeared in it as a token and pledge of his future incarnation: and "this wrestling" was real and corporeal on the part of both; the man took hold of Jacob, and he took hold of the man, and they strove and struggled together for victory as wrestlers do; and on Jacob's part it was also mental and spiritual, and signified his fervent and importunate striving with God in prayer; or at least it was attended with earnest and importunate supplications; see ( Hosea 12:4 ) ; and this continued until the breaking of the day:
how long this conflict lasted is not certain, perhaps not long; since after Jacob rose in the night he had a great deal of business to do, and did it before this affair happened; as sending his wives, children, servants, and cattle over the brook: however, this may denote, that in the present state or night of darkness, wrestling in prayer with God must be continued until the perfect state commences, when the everlasting day of glory will break.


FOOTNOTES:

F5 Antiqu. l. 1. c. 20. sect. 2.
F6 Morch Nevochim, par. 2. c. 42. p. 310.

Genesis 32:24 In-Context

22 En hij stond op in dienzelfden nacht, en hij nam zijn twee vrouwen, en zijn twee dienstmaagden, en zijn elf kinderen, en hij toog over het veer van de Jabbok.
23 En hij nam ze, en deed hen over die beek trekken; en hij deed overtrekken hetgeen hij had.
24 Doch Jakob bleef alleen over; en een man worstelde met hem, totdat de dageraad opging.
25 En toen Hij zag, dat Hij hem niet overmocht, roerde Hij het gewricht zijner heup aan, zodat het gewricht van Jakobs heup verwrongen werd, als Hij met hem worstelde.
26 En Hij zeide: Laat Mij gaan, want de dageraad is opgegaan. Maar hij zeide: Ik zal U niet laten gaan, tenzij dat Gij mij zegent.
The Dutch Staten Vertaling translation is in the public domain.