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Matthew Henry

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 32:28

And he said, thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel ,.... That is, not Jacob only, but Israel also, as Ben Melech interprets it, or the one as well as the other; or the one rather and more frequently than the other: for certain it is, that he is often after this called Jacob, and his posterity also the seed of Jacob, though more commonly Israel, and Israelites: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed : this is given as a reason of his name... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 32:29

And Jacob asked him , and said, tell me , I pray thee, thy name ,.... Being asked his own name, and told it, and having another given him more significative and expressive, he is emboldened to ask the person that wrestled with him what was his name; Exodus 3:13 ; for Jacob knew that he was God, as appears by his earnest desire to be blessed by him; and he knew it by the declaration just made, that he had power with God as a prince; but he hoped to have some name, taken by him from the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 32:30

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel ,.... In Genesis 32:31 ; Penuel, which signifies the face of God, or God hath looked upon me, or hath had respect to me: there was afterwards a city built here, called by the same name; see Judges 8:8 ; it is said F11 Bunting's Travels, p. 72. 74. to be four miles from Mahanaim; the reason of it follows: for I have seen God face to face : it may be observed, that in wrestling men are face to face, and in this position were Jacob and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:28

Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel - ושראל Yisrael , from שר sar , a prince, or שרה sarah , he ruled as a prince, and אל el , God; or rather from איש ish , a man, (the א aleph being dropped), and ראה raah , he saw, אל el , God; and this corresponds with the name which Jacob imposed on the place, calling it פניאל peniel , the faces of God, or of Elohim, which faces being manifested to him caused him to say, Genesis 32:30 , פנים אל פנים... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:29

Tell me, I pray thee, thy name - It is very likely that Jacob wished to know the name of this angel, that he might invoke him in his necessities: but this might have led him into idolatry, for the doctrine of the incarnation could be but little understood at this time; hence, he refuses to give himself any name, yet shows himself to be the true God, and so Jacob understood him; (see Genesis 32:28 ;); but he wished to have heard from his own lips that name by which he desired to be invoked... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:28

Verse 28 28.Thy name shall be called no more Jacob. Jacob, as we have seen, received his name from his mother’s womb, because he had seized the heel of his brother’s foot, and had attempted to hold him back. God now gives him a new and more honorable name; not that he may entirely abolish the other, which was a token of memorable grace, but that he may testify a still higher progress of his grace. Therefore, of the two names the second is preferred to the former, as being more honorable. The... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:29

Verse 29 29.Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. This seems opposed to what is declared above; for I have lately said, that when Jacob sought a blessing, it was a token of his submission. Why, therefore, as if he were of doubtful mind, does he now inquire the name of him whom he had before acknowledged to be God? But the solution of the question is easy; for, though Jacob does acknowledge God, yet, not content will an obscure and slight knowledge, he wishes to ascend higher. And it is not to be... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:30

Verse 30 30.And Jacob called the name of the place (110) The gratitude of our father Jacob is again commended, because he took diligent care that the memory of God’s grace should never perish. He therefore leaves a monument to posterity, from which they might know that God had appeared there; for this was not a private vision, but had reference to the whole Church. Moreover, Jacob not only declares that he has seen the face of God, but also gives thanks that he has been snatched from death.... 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

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