answersLogoWhite

0

In an ancient tradition inserted into the life story of Jacob, he was left alone and wrestled with an opponent all night until the break of day, when the opponent said he must leave (Genesis 32:24-30). He had seen the face of God and lived. There is evidence in The Bible itself that Jacob was originally a moon god, before his story evolved into that of an Israelite patriarch, in which case this narrative was the daily struggle in which the sun god defeats the moon god at dawn.

Even though his leg was dislocated, Jacob refused to let his opponent go unless he blessed Jacob. That the 'man' was a god is amply demonstrated - Jacob asked for his blessing, and he had the prerogative of changing Jacob's name. The new name he gave Jacob was Israel (generally assumed to mean "wrestled with God') and Jacob called the place Peniel ('the face of God') because he had seen God face to face. If the man who wrestled with Jacob was a god, then Jacob was also a god in this very early tradition, as demonstrated by the fact that he was such an even match for his opponent. And if the opponent was a god, he was also a sun god - daybreak signalled the end of the contest, he had to leave Jacob before the sun could rise, then the sun rose upon Jacob. Jacob lived because he was not (in this very early Hebrew narrative) a man.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Who was a wrestler in The Bible?

Jacob. Genesis chapter 32 and Hosea chapter 12.


Who was Jacob's first wife?

Leah, according to Genesis chapter 29.


Which chapter did the Bible talk about Jacob?

Genesis chapters 25 through 48 discuss Jacob (Israel)


How did Jacob win the heart of Rachel?

You can find it in the book of Genesis chapter 29.


What is the concept of Genesis chapter 31?

In the book of Genesis chapter 31 , Jacob is forced to flee as the sons of Laban felt that Jacob had taken their father Labans property . and laban was not in good terms with Jacob like he was before,. Then god told Jacob to return to the land of your ancestors and god would look after him.


Who was Jacob's daughter?

In the Old Testament book of Genesis chapter 30, verse 21, it tells of Jacob and his wife Leah having a daughter whom they named Dinah.


When did God change Jacob's name to Israel?

God changed Jacob's name to Israel after he wrestled with an angel in the book of Genesis, chapter 32.


Who established israel as a nameland for jews?

God did, as stated in the Torah. He promised the land of Israel to Abraham (Genesis ch.13), to Isaac (Genesis ch.26), to Jacob (Genesis ch.28), and to Jacob's descendants (Exodus ch.6). The promise was fulfilled in the time of Joshua.


What does canaan have to do with Judaism?

Canaan (Israel) is the land that God promised to Abraham (Genesis ch.17), to Isaac (Genesis ch.26), to Jacob (Genesis ch.28), and to Jacob's descendants the Israelites (Exodus ch.6). The promise was fulfilled when Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan (Joshua ch.3-4) and they inherited it.


What is the chapter of the birth of Esau and Jacob?

Genesis 25:25-26 describes the birth of Esau and Jacob. The competition for the birthright started from birth with Jacab's hand grasping Esau's heel.


How did the Hebrews establish israel?

God promised the land of Israel to Abraham (Genesis ch.13), to Isaac (Genesis ch.26), to Jacob (Genesis ch.28), and to Jacob's descendants (Exodus ch.6). The promise was fulfilled in the time of Joshua. After the Israelites entered and took the Holy Land, it was henceforth known as the land of Israel (instead of Canaan).


Why did the writer of the old testement book of Genisis keep calling Jacob by that name when God said his name would be called Israel in Genesis chapter 5?

Jacob's name wasn't mentioned or changed until Genesis chapter 32.The Genesis 5 geneology ends with Noah's three sons... who crossed the flood with their families to repopulate the earth. Jacob's grandfather, Abraham, isn't even mentioned in Genesis chapter 5.Nevertheless... once Jacob's name was changed to Israel, that didn't nullify his first name. They became synonymous with each other and recognizable as the same person. Not to mention the twelve individually named tribes of his sons who inherited both names of their father.Answer(It would appear the person who asked the Question ["Why did ... called Israel in Genesis chapter 5?"] mistyped it and actually meant Genesis chapter 35 instead). Genesis 3510 And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.However, this was first mentioned earlier in Genesis 32:-Genesis 3228 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.Just as we are often called one name when we have done the wrong thing but another when we have done something right, so it was with Jacob. Before his conversion he was called Jacob: that's straight-forward. However, after his conversion and name-change from Jacob to Israel, when he did something God didn't approve of he was called 'Jacob' instead. In short, when he did something Godly he was called Ísrael'; when he reverted back to his old character and did something ungodly he was called Jacob.Romans 1126 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: