Verse 25
25. When he saw that he prevailed not That is, when the angel saw this . Let us not marvel at such an anthropomorphism, but remember that the angel of Jehovah yielded to Abraham’s intercession; ate with him like a man; found Hagar in the desert; led Lot by the hand out of Sodom, and said, “I cannot do any thing till thou escape . ” These self-limitations of the Divine One are manifesting themselves continually through all the history of his revealing himself to the chosen people, and we are not competent to say that he could have revealed himself as well in any other way.
Touched the hollow of his thigh The socket of the hip-joint, which is here called caph, ( כ Š ,) from its resembling the hollow palm of the hand . The angel’s touch dislocated this joint; and gave Jacob to know that the mighty wrestler could at any moment disable him, and in so far contending with him had only been graciously condescending to his weakness. “The reason of this act of the angel was very probably lest Jacob should be puffed up by the ‘abundance of the revelations.’ He might think that of his own strength, and not by grace, he had prevailed with God; as St. Paul had the thorn in the flesh sent to him lest he ‘should be exalted above measure.’ 2 Corinthians 12:7. ” Speaker’s Commentary .
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