Genesis 32:22-33 BSB

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:22

(22) The ford Jabbok.—Heb., the ford of the Jabbok. This river, now called the Wady Zerba or Blue Torrent, formed afterwards the boundary between the tribes of Manasseh and Gad. It flows through a deep ravine, with so rapid a current as to make the crossing of it a matter of difficulty. Dr. Tristram (Land of Israel, p. 558) says that the water reached his horse’s girths when he rode through the ford. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:23

(23) The brook.—Really, the ravine or valley; Arab., wady. Jacob, whose administrative powers were of a very high character, sees his wives, children, and cattle not only through the ford, but across the valley on to the high ground beyond. Staying himself to the very last, he is left alone on the south side of the torrent, but still in the ravine, across which the rest had taken their way. The definite proof that Jacob remained on the south side lies in the fact that Peniel belonged to the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:24

(24) There wrestled.—This verb, abak, occurs only here, and without doubt it was chosen because of its resemblance to the name Jabbok. Its probable derivation is from a word signifying dust, because wrestlers were quickly involved in a cloud of dust, or because, as was the custom in Greece, they rubbed their bodies with it.A man.—Such he seemed to be to Jacob; but Hosea (Genesis 12:4) calls him an angel; and, in Genesis 32:30, Jacob recognises in him a manifestation of the Deity, as Hagar had... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:25

(25) The hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint.—The hollow is in the Hebrew the pan or socket into which the end of the thigh bone is inserted, and the verb more probably signifies that it was sprained from the over-tension of the muscles in the wrestling. But, in spite of his sprained tendons, Jacob still resisted, and could not be thrown down, and the angel, unable to gain any further advantage, at last acknowledges Jacob’s superiority, and at sunrise craves permission to depart. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:26

(26) Let me go . . . —Heb., send me away, for the gleam of morning has gone up. The asking of permission to depart was the acknowledgment of defeat. The struggle must end at daybreak, because Jacob must now go to do his duty; and the wrestling had been for the purpose of giving him courage, and enabling him to meet danger and difficulty in the power of faith. A curious Jewish idea is that the angel was that one whose duty it was to defend and protect Esau. By the aid of his own protecting angel... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:28

(28) Israel.—That is, a prince of God, or, one powerful with God. (See Note on Genesis 17:15.) Esau had given a bad meaning to the name of Jacob, nor had it been undeserved. But a change has now come over Jacob’s character, and he is henceforth no longer the crafty schemer who was ever plotting for his own advantage, but one humble and penitent, who can trust himself and all he has in God’s hands. The last words signify, for thou art a prince with God and men; or possibly, for thou hast striven... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:29

(29) Wherefore . . . —In much the same manner the angel refuses to tell Manoah his name (Judges 13:18). Probably, however, in the blessing which followed there was a clear proof that Jacob’s opponent was a Divine personage. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:30

(30) Peniel.—Elsewhere Penuel, and so probably it should be read here. It means, “the face of God.” For the rest of the verse see Note on Genesis 16:13. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:31

(31) As he passed over Pemiel.—Rather, as he passed Penuel. It was the place where he had wrestled, and as soon as the angel left him he proceeded onwards to rejoin his wives. It appears, from what is here said, that it was not till he tried to walk that he found out that he was lame. As his sinews grew cool, the injury to his hip-joint showed itself. read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:32

(32) The sinew which shrank.—This translation has much authority in its favour, as the LXX. render the sinew that became numb, and the Vulgate the sinew that withered. More probably, however, it is the proper name for the large tendon which takes its origin from the spinal cord, and extends down the thigh unto the ankle. Technically it is called nervus ischiaticus, and by the Greeks was named tendo Achillis, because it reaches to the heel. Jewish commentators notice that this was the second... read more

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:22

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:23

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:24

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:25

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:26

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:28

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:29

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:30

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:31

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:32

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