Genesis 32:31

31 The sun shone on him as he passed by Penuel^[a]-limping on his hip.

Genesis 32:31 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 32:31

And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him
It was break of day when the angel desired to be let go, and by that time the parley held between them ceased, and they parted, the sun was rising; and as Jacob went on it shone upon him, as a token of the good will and favour of God to him, and as an emblem of the sun of righteousness arising on him with healing in his wings, ( Malachi 4:2 ) ; and he halted upon his thigh;
it being out of joint, of which he became more sensible when he came to walk upon it; and besides, his attention to the angel that was with him caused him not so much to perceive it until he had departed front him: some think he went limping all his days; others, that he was healed immediately by the angel before he came to Esau; but of either there is no proof.

Genesis 32:31 In-Context

29 Then Jacob asked Him, "Please tell me Your name." But He answered, "Why do you ask My name?" And He blessed him there.

30 Jacob then named the place Peniel, "For," [he said,] "I have seen God face to face, and I have been delivered."

31 The sun shone on him as he passed by Penuel-limping on his hip.

32 That is why, to this day, the Israelites don't eat the thigh muscle that is at the hip socket: because He struck Jacob's hip socket at the thigh muscle.

Footnotes

• [a]. Variant of Peniel