Genesis 35:9-10 - Exposition

And God appeared unto Jacob again ,—this was a visible manifestation, m contrast to the audible one in Shechem ( Genesis 35:1 ), and in a state of wakefulness ( Genesis 35:13 ), as distinguished from the dream vision formerly beheld at Bethel ( Genesis 28:12 )— when he came (or had come) out of Padan-aram (as previously he had appeared to the patriarch on going into Padan-aram), and blessed him — i.e. renewed the promises of the covenant, of which he was the heir. And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob :—or Supplanter ( vide Genesis 25:26 ). Lange reads, Is thy name Jacob?— thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel ( vide Genesis 32:28 ) shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel. The renewal of the name given at Peniel may possibly indicate a revival in the spiritual life of Jacob, which had been declining in the interval between the former interview with God and the present (Murphy), but was probably designed as a confirmation of the former interview with God, and of the experience through which he then passed. Cf. the twice-given name of Peter ( John 1:42 ; Matthew 16:16-19 ).