Jacob Wrestles at Peniel
Twenty years later Jacob is coming home, and word reaches him that Esau is approaching with four hundred men. He divides his household, sends waves of livestock ahead as a gift, prays, and is left alone on the north bank of the Jabbok.
A man wrestles with him until daybreak. Unable to prevail, the stranger wrenches Jacob's hip; Jacob still refuses to let go without a blessing. He is asked his name — the name he had lied about to get his father's blessing — and gives it, and is renamed Israel, one who struggles with God. He calls the place Peniel, having seen God face to face and lived, and walks away limping.
The reunion next day undoes the dread: Esau runs to meet him and embraces him, and the feared confrontation never comes.
Where in scripture
[1] Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. [2] When he saw them, Jacob said, “This is God’s army.” He called the name of that place Mahanaim. [3] Jacob sent messengers in front of him to Esau, his brother, to the land of Seir, the field of Edom. [4] He commanded them, saying, “This is what you shall tell my lord, Esau: ‘This is what your servant, Jacob, says. I have lived as a foreigner with Laban, and stayed until now. [5] I have cattle, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in your sight.’” [6] The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau. Not only that, but he comes to meet you, and four hundred men with him.” …
Genesis 32:1–32 — opening verses
[1] Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him four hundred men. He divided the children between Leah, Rachel, and the two servants. [2] He put the servants and their children in front, Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear. [3] He himself passed over in front of them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. [4] Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept. [5] He lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, “Who are these with you?” He said, “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.” [6] Then the servants came near with their children, and they bowed themselves. …
Genesis 33:1–11 — opening verses
[2] Yahweh also has a controversy with Judah, and will punish Jacob according to his ways; according to his deeds he will repay him. [3] In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he contended with God. [4] Indeed, he struggled with the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication to him. He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us, [5] even Yahweh, the God of Armies; Yahweh is his name of renown! [6] Therefore turn to your God. Keep kindness and justice, and wait continually for your God.
Hosea 12:2–6
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
