King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Therefore the children of Israel eat not [of] the sinew which shrank, which [is] upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.
Complete Jewish Bible:
This is why, to this day, the people of Isra'el do not eat the thigh muscle that passes along the hip socket - because the man struck Ya'akov's hip at its socket.
Berean Standard Bible:
Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon which is at the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was struck near that tendon.
American Standard Version:
Therefore the children of Israel eat not the sinew of the hip which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew of the hip.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Therefore the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} eat{H398} not of the sinew{H1517} which shrank{H5384}, which is upon the hollow{H3709} of the thigh{H3409}, unto this day{H3117}: because he touched{H5060} the hollow{H3709} of Jacob's{H3290} thigh{H3409} in the sinew{H1517} that shrank{H5384}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Samuel 5:5
- Therefore neither the priests of Dagon, nor any that come into Dagon's house, tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod unto this day.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 32:32
Genesis 32:32 is part of the narrative where Jacob wrestles with a mysterious figure often interpreted as an angel or a manifestation of God (sometimes identified as Esau's guardian angel). This event occurs on the eve of Jacob's reunion with his estranged brother Esau, whom he fears might seek revenge for past grievances, particularly the theft of their father's blessing.
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Encounter:** The wrestling match is a significant theophany, an encounter with the divine, where human and divine engage in a physical and spiritual struggle.
2. **Transformation:** Jacob's name is changed to Israel, signifying a transformation in his identity and a shift in his relationship with God.
3. **Blessing and Limping:** Jacob receives a blessing, but also walks away with a permanent injury—a limp. This symbolizes the complexity of divine encounters, which can bring both blessing and a sense of loss or humility.
4. **Covenant and Memory:** The prohibition against eating the sinew of the hip reflects a physical reminder of the encounter and serves as a covenantal sign for the Israelites, linking them to the patriarch's experience with God.
**Historical Context:**
The verse reflects ancient Israelite customs and beliefs regarding dietary practices and the importance of commemorative rituals. It serves as an etiological explanation for a specific dietary restriction observed by the Israelites, which would have reinforced their cultural and religious identity. The story is set in the context of the patriarchal narratives, which are foundational to Israel's history and self-understanding as a people chosen by God.
In summary, Genesis 32:32 captures a pivotal moment in the life of Jacob/Israel, marking a divine encounter that results in both physical and spiritual transformation. It establishes a lasting dietary prohibition for the Israelites, serving as a tangible reminder of Jacob's struggle and God's blessing, and it contributes to the collective memory and identity of the Israelite people.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H398
There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכַל
Transliteration: ʼâkal
Pronunciation: aw-kal'
Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. - Strong's Number: H1517
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גִּיד
Transliteration: gîyd
Pronunciation: gheed
Description: probably from גּוּד; a thong (as compressing); by analogy, a tendon; sinew. - Strong's Number: H5384
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָשֶׁה
Transliteration: nâsheh
Pronunciation: naw-sheh'
Description: from נָשָׁה, in the sense of failure; rheumatic or crippled (from the incident to Jacob); which shrank. - Strong's Number: H3709
There are 180 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כַּף
Transliteration: kaph
Pronunciation: kaf
Description: from כָּפַף; the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree); figuratively, power; branch, [phrase] foot, hand((-ful), -dle, (-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon. - Strong's Number: H3409
There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָרֵךְ
Transliteration: yârêk
Pronunciation: yaw-rake'
Description: from an unused root meaning to be soft; the thigh (from its fleshy softness); by euphemistically the generative parts; figuratively, a shank, flank, side; [idiom] body, loins, shaft, side, thigh. - Strong's Number: H3117
There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹם
Transliteration: yôwm
Pronunciation: yome
Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. - Strong's Number: H5060
There are 142 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָגַע
Transliteration: nâgaʻ
Pronunciation: naw-gah'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.); beat, ([idiom] be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch. - Strong's Number: H3290
There are 319 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יַעֲקֹב
Transliteration: Yaʻăqôb
Pronunciation: yah-ak-obe'
Description: from עָקַב; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch; Jacob.