Topical Encyclopedia The episode of Jacob wrestling with the angel is a significant event in the biblical narrative, found in Genesis 32:22-32. This encounter occurs as Jacob prepares to meet his estranged brother Esau, a meeting fraught with tension and uncertainty. During the night, Jacob finds himself alone, and a mysterious man wrestles with him until daybreak. This man is later understood to be an angel or a divine being.Jacob's curiosity to know the name of the angel emerges towards the end of this intense struggle. After a night of wrestling, the angel touches Jacob's hip, dislocating it, yet Jacob refuses to let go until he receives a blessing. The angel then asks Jacob his name and subsequently changes it to Israel, signifying a transformation in Jacob's identity and his relationship with God. Genesis 32:28 states, "Then the man said, 'Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.'" Following this pivotal moment, Jacob, driven by curiosity and perhaps a desire for deeper understanding, asks the angel for his name. Genesis 32:29 records Jacob's request: "Please tell me your name." The angel's response is enigmatic and leaves Jacob's question unanswered: "Why do you ask my name?" This response suggests that the angel's identity is beyond human comprehension or that the focus should remain on the transformation and blessing Jacob has received rather than the identity of the divine messenger. The curiosity of Jacob to know the name of the angel reflects a broader human desire to understand the divine and the mysteries of God's workings. In biblical tradition, names often hold significant meaning and power, revealing character and purpose. Jacob's request can be seen as an attempt to grasp the full significance of his encounter and the divine presence he has experienced. This episode highlights the tension between human curiosity and the divine mystery. While Jacob's question remains unanswered, the encounter itself is transformative, marking a turning point in Jacob's life. He names the place Peniel, saying, "Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared" (Genesis 32:30). This acknowledgment underscores the profound nature of the encounter and the grace extended to Jacob. In the broader biblical context, the reluctance of divine beings to reveal their names is not uncommon. In Judges 13:17-18, Manoah, the father of Samson, similarly inquires about the name of the angelic messenger, only to receive the reply, "Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wonderful?" This pattern suggests a consistent theme in Scripture: the divine often remains shrouded in mystery, inviting faith and trust rather than complete understanding. Jacob's curiosity and the subsequent withholding of the angel's name serve as a reminder of the limits of human understanding in the face of divine mystery. The focus remains on the transformation and blessing that result from the encounter, emphasizing God's sovereignty and the profound impact of divine intervention in human lives. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 32:29And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray you, your name. And he said, Why is it that you do ask after my name? And he blessed him there. Nave's Topical Index Library Of the Name of God The Unity of the Divine Essence in Three Persons Taught, in ... Acts VII The Ark among the Flags section iii. Our Lord's Solemn Enquiry Book Ten from Autobiography to Self-Analysis. ... Of the Eternal Election, by which God Has Predestinated Some to ... Preparation for Revival On Religion; the Natural and Divine Life; and the Exemplification ... Resources Why doesn't GotQuestions.org give the names of the authors of its articles? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about assertiveness? | GotQuestions.org Who was Isaac in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Curious: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Curiosity of Abraham, to Know Whether God Would Destroy the Righteous People Who Lived in Sodom Curiosity of Angels, to Look Into the Mysteries of Salvation Curiosity of Daniel, to Know a Vision Curiosity of Herod (Antipas), to See Jesus Curiosity of Jacob, to Know the Name of the Angel Curiosity of Manoah, to Know the Name of an Angel Curiosity of the Athenians, to Hear some New Thing Curiosity of the Babylonians, to See Hezekiah's Treasures Curiosity of the Disciples, to Know Whether Jesus Would Restore the Kingdom of the Jews Curiosity of the People of Beth-Shemish, to Look Inside the Ark of the Covenant Curiosity: A Disciple, to Know If Few Would be Saved Curiosity: General Scriptures Concerning Curiosity: To Know What John Would be Appointed to Do Curiosity: To Know What Was Being Done With Jesus Curiosity: To See Lazarus, After he Was Raised from the Dead Curiosity: To Witness the offering in the Holy of Holies Related Terms |
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