Genesis 32:24-25 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 32:24-32

We have here the remarkable story of Jacob's wrestling with the angel and prevailing, which is referred to, Hos. 12:4. Very early in the morning, a great while before day, Jacob had helped his wives and his children over the river, and he desired to be private, and was left alone, that he might again more fully spread his cares and fears before God in prayer. Note, We ought to continue instant in prayer, always to pray and not to faint: frequency and importunity in prayer prepare us for mercy.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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 Antiqu. l. 1. c. 20. sect. 2. 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 Morch Nevochim,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 32:25

And when he saw that he prevailed not against him ,.... That he, the man, or the Son of God in the form of man, prevailed not against Jacob, by casting him to the ground, or causing him to desist and leave off wrestling with him; not because he could not, but because he would not, being willing to encourage the faith of Jacob against future trials and exercises, and especially under his present one: besides, such were the promises that this divine Person knew were made to Jacob, and so... read more

Adam Clarke

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 32:24

And Jacob was left alone (probably on the north bank of the Jabbok; but vide on Genesis 32:23 ); and there wrestled —thus assaulting in his strong point one who had been a wrestler or heel-catcher from his youth (Murphy). The old word נֶאֱבַק , niph. of אָבַק , unused, a dehorn, from חָבַק , dust, because in wrestling the dust is raised (Aben Ezra, Gesenius), or a weakened form of חָבַק , to wind round, to embrace (Furst), obviously contains an allusion to the Jabbok ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 32:24-32

Peniel, or the mysterious contest. I. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUGGLE . 1. The scene. The north bank of Jabbok ( vide Exposition). 2. The time. Night; the most suitable season for soul exercises, such as self-examination ( Psalms 4:4 ), meditation ( Psalms 63:6 ), devotion ( Luke 6:12 ). 3. The circumstances . Jacob was alone. In solitude the human soul discovers most of itself, and enjoys most frequent interviews with God ( Psalms 77:6 ; Daniel 10:8 ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 32:24-32

Peniel. The face of God. The patriarchal revelation at its best. The main point, the personal wrestling of the believer with the angel of deliverance. Through that scene Jacob passed as by a baptism (ford Jabbok) into the full enjoyment of confidence in Jehovah, into the theanthropic faith. A man wrestled with him. The faith of Jacob was now to be a faith resting not upon tradition alone, nor upon promises and commandments alone, nor upon past experience alone, but upon a living,... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 32:24-32

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 32:24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 32:25

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

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 32:24

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 32:24-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 32:24-32

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