Genesis 32:24-32

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:24

And there wrestled a man with him - This was doubtless the Lord Jesus Christ, who, among the patriarchs, assumed that human form, which in the fullness of time he really took of a woman, and in which he dwelt thirty-three years among men. He is here styled an angel, because he was μεγαλης βουλης Αγγελος , (see the Septuagint, Isaiah 9:7 ;), the Messenger of the great counsel or design to redeem fallen man from death, and bring him to eternal glory; see Genesis 16:7 . But it may be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:25

The hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint - What this implies is difficult to find out; it is not likely that it was complete luxation of the thigh bone. It may mean no more than he received a stroke on the groin, not a touch; for the Hebrew word נגע naga often signifies to smite with violence, which stroke, even if comparatively slight, would effectually disable him for a time, and cause him to halt for many hours, if not for several days. I might add that in this place - the groin,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:26

Let me go, for the day breaketh - Probably meaning, that as it was now morning, Jacob must rejoin his wives and children, and proceed on their journey. Though phantoms are supposed to disappear when the sun rises, that could be no reason in this case. Most of the angelic appearances mentioned in the Old and New Testaments took place in open day, which put their reality out of question. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:28

Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel - ושראל Yisrael , from שר sar , a prince, or שרה sarah , he ruled as a prince, and אל el , God; or rather from איש ish , a man, (the א aleph being dropped), and ראה raah , he saw, אל el , God; and this corresponds with the name which Jacob imposed on the place, calling it פניאל peniel , the faces of God, or of Elohim, which faces being manifested to him caused him to say, Genesis 32:30 , פנים אל פנים... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:29

Tell me, I pray thee, thy name - It is very likely that Jacob wished to know the name of this angel, that he might invoke him in his necessities: but this might have led him into idolatry, for the doctrine of the incarnation could be but little understood at this time; hence, he refuses to give himself any name, yet shows himself to be the true God, and so Jacob understood him; (see Genesis 32:28 ;); but he wished to have heard from his own lips that name by which he desired to be invoked... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:31

The sun rose upon him - Did the Prophet Malachi refer to this, Malachi 4:2 ; : Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings? Possibly with the rising of the sun, which may here be understood as emblematical of the Sun of righteousness - the Lord Jesus, the pain and weakness of his thigh passed away, and he felt both in soul and body that he was healed of his plagues. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:32

Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew - What this sinew was neither Jew nor Christian can tell; and it can add nothing either to science, or to a true understanding of the text, to multiply conjectures. I have already supposed that the part which the angel touched or struck was the groin; and if this be right, the sinew, nerve, or muscle that shrank, must be sought for in that place. The serious reader must meet with much instruction in this chapter. After his... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:24

Verse 24 24.There wrestled a man with him (107) Although this vision was particularly useful to Jacob himself, to teach him beforehand that many conflicts awaited him, and that he might certainly conclude that he should be the conqueror in them all; there is yet not the least doubt that the Lord exhibited, in his person, a specimen of the temptations — common to all his people — which await them, and must be constantly submitted to, in this transitory life. Wherefore it is right to keep in view... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:25

Verse 25 25.And when he saw that he prevailed not against him. Here is described to us the victory of Jacob, which, however, was not gained without a wound. In saying that the wrestling angel, or God, wished to retire from the contest, because he saw he should not prevail, Moses speaks after the manner of men. For we know that God, when he descends from his majesty to us, is wont to transfer the properties of human nature to himself. The Lord knew with certainty the event of the contest, before... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:26

Verse 26 26.Let me go. God concedes the praise of victory to his servant, and is ready to depart, as if unequal to him in strength: not because a truce was needed by him, to whom it belongs to grant a truce or peace whenever he pleases; but that Jacob might rejoice over the grace afforded to him. A wonderful method of triumphing; where the Lord, to whose power all praise is entirely due, yet chooses that feeble man shall excel as a conqueror, and thus raises him on high with special eulogy. At... read more

Group of Brands