Genesis 32:27

KJV

And he said unto him, What [is] thy name? And he said, Jacob.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559} unto him, What is thy name {H8034}? And he said {H559}, Jacob {H3290}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The man asked, "What is your name?" and he answered, "Ya'akov."

Berean Standard Bible

“What is your name?” the man asked. “Jacob,” he replied.

American Standard Version

And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 32:27 captures a seminal moment during Jacob's night-long struggle at the Jabbok ford, as his mysterious opponent demands, "What is thy name?" Jacob's unvarnished reply, "Jacob," serves as a profound confession of his identity as "supplanter" or "deceiver," a name he had consistently embodied. This honest admission before the divine presence is the crucial prerequisite for his impending transformation, the bestowal of a new name, and the forging of a deeper covenant relationship, underscoring the spiritual necessity of self-confrontation and humility before God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climax of Jacob's solitary night encounter at the Jabbok ford, immediately preceding his anxious reunion with his estranged brother, Esau. Having sent his family and possessions across the ford, Jacob remained alone, a deliberate act of isolation that set the stage for a profound spiritual confrontation. The wrestling match, initiated by a mysterious "man," began in [Genesis 32:24](/genesis/32-24 "Genesis 32:24 - Jacob Wrestles") and continued until daybreak. Jacob's refusal to release his opponent without a blessing, as recorded in [Genesis 32:26](/genesis/32-26 "Genesis 32:26 - Jacob Demands a Blessing"), highlights his desperate desire for divine favor and marks the transition from physical struggle to a deeper, more personal interrogation of his identity. The question of his name is the pivotal turning point, leading directly to his renaming as Israel in [Genesis 32:28](/genesis/32-28 "Genesis 32:28 - Jacob Renamed Israel"), signifying a new spiritual status and destiny.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a name was far more than a mere label; it was believed to encapsulate a person's character, reputation, destiny, and even their very essence. To know someone's name was to know their true nature and to have a measure of power or intimacy over them. The act of naming, or being named, often carried profound significance, particularly when divinely ordained, as seen in the patriarchal narratives. The Jabbok ford itself, a geographical boundary, served as a liminal space—a threshold between Jacob's past and his uncertain future with Esau, making it an appropriate setting for a transformative, boundary-crossing encounter. The concept of wrestling with a divine being, though unique in its portrayal here, aligns with the broader biblical theme of humanity's direct, often challenging, interactions with God, frequently resulting in profound spiritual growth and revelation.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 32:27 is central to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **identity and transformation**, as Jacob is forced to confront his past self ("supplanter") before he can embrace his divinely appointed future ("Israel"). This encounter also powerfully illustrates **divine initiative and sovereignty**, showing God actively engaging with and shaping the character of His chosen individuals, even through intense struggle. The narrative emphasizes the **significance of names** as indicators of character and destiny, a motif seen throughout the Bible (e.g., [Abram to Abraham](/genesis/17-5 "Genesis 17:5 - Abram to Abraham"), [Sarai to Sarah](/genesis/17-15 "Genesis 17:15 - Sarai to Sarah"), [Simon to Peter](/john/1-42 "John 1:42 - Simon to Peter")). Finally, the scene highlights the necessity of **confession and humility** as prerequisites for divine blessing and spiritual advancement, demonstrating that true growth often begins with an honest acknowledgment of one's true nature before God, as foreshadowed in the broader narrative of Jacob's life, from his birth in [Genesis 25:26](/genesis/25-26 "Genesis 25:26 - Jacob's Birth") to his deception of Isaac in [Genesis 27:35-36](/genesis/27-35-36 "Genesis 27:35-36 - Jacob's Deception").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **said (Hebrew, _ʼâmar'_):** H559 from a primitive root, meaning "to say" but used with great latitude to include answering, appointing, commanding, declaring, demanding, or even determining. In this context, the divine figure's "saying" is not a mere utterance but carries the weight of a profound, authoritative declaration and a demand for a response, signifying a purposeful and intentional communication designed to elicit a specific outcome from Jacob.
* **name (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** H8034, an appellation that serves as a mark or memorial of individuality. Beyond a simple label, it implies honor, authority, and character. For the divine figure to ask for Jacob's name is not an inquiry for information (which God already possesses) but a demand for Jacob to articulate and confess his true identity, character, and history, thereby acknowledging who he is at his core.
* **Jacob (Hebrew, _Yaʻăqôb'_):** H3290, derived from the root meaning "heel-catcher" or, by implication, "supplanter" or "deceiver." This name was given to him at birth because he grasped Esau's heel ([Genesis 25:26](/genesis/25-26 "Genesis 25:26 - Jacob's Birth")), and he subsequently lived up to its meaning through his cunning acquisition of the birthright ([Genesis 25:33](/genesis/25-33 "Genesis 25:33 - Esau Sells Birthright")) and the blessing ([Genesis 27:35-36](/genesis/27-35-36 "Genesis 27:35-36 - Jacob Deceives Isaac")). His simple, unadorned confession of this name is an admission of his past and his inherent character.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said unto him,"**: This phrase refers to the mysterious divine figure who had been wrestling with Jacob throughout the night. The "he" is the one who initiated the physical struggle and now initiates this crucial verbal exchange. The authoritative nature of the questioner is implicit, setting the stage for a demand rather than a casual inquiry.
* **"What [is] thy name?"**: This is the pivotal question of the encounter. While the divine being undoubtedly knew Jacob's name, the question is not for information but for confession. In ancient thought, a name encapsulated one's character, history, and destiny. By asking Jacob to state his name, the divine figure compels him to confront his true identity—his past actions, his deceptive nature, and his very essence—before God. It is a demand for self-acknowledgment and honesty.
* **"And he said, Jacob."**: Jacob's immediate and unembellished response is profound in its simplicity. He does not offer excuses, justifications, or a revised self-perception. He simply states the name that has defined his life and character: "Jacob," meaning "supplanter" or "deceiver." This honest confession of his true, flawed identity is the necessary step for him to move beyond his past and receive a new, divinely ordained identity. It signifies his surrender and vulnerability before the divine.

#### Literary Devices
The encounter in [Genesis 32:27](/genesis/32-27 "Genesis 32:27 - Jacob's Confession") is rich with literary devices that amplify its theological significance. The **Interrogative Rhetoric** of the question, "What is thy name?", is paramount. It is not a genuine inquiry for information, as the divine being is omniscient, but a rhetorical device designed to elicit a specific, transformative response from Jacob. This question forces Jacob into a moment of profound **Self-Confrontation**, compelling him to articulate his identity and acknowledge his past, which is directly tied to the **Symbolism** of his name, "Jacob" (supplanter/deceiver). The entire wrestling match serves as a powerful **Metaphor** for Jacob's lifelong struggle, not just with others, but with his own nature and ultimately with God. The scene also contains a subtle **Irony**: the all-knowing divine figure asks a question that seems simple but demands the deepest form of self-revelation. This moment functions as a **Turning Point** or **Climax** in the narrative, where the physical struggle transitions to a spiritual and psychological one, setting the stage for Jacob's renaming and the profound shift in his destiny.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 32:27 profoundly illustrates the biblical principle that genuine transformation often begins with an honest, humble confession of one's true identity and past before God. Jacob's admission of his name, "supplanter," is not merely a verbal act but a deep acknowledgment of his character and the life he had lived. This moment underscores God's initiative in confronting individuals not to condemn, but to prepare them for a new, divinely purposed identity. It is a testament to the idea that God meets us in our weakness and brokenness, inviting us to lay bare our true selves as a prerequisite for His redemptive work. The significance of names in the Bible, representing character and destiny, is highlighted, showing that a new name signifies a new covenant relationship and purpose, divinely bestowed.

* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs 28:13 - Confession and Mercy")
* [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")
* [Isaiah 43:1](/isaiah/43-1 "Isaiah 43:1 - Called by Name")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound encounter at the Jabbok, culminating in Jacob's confession, offers timeless lessons for believers today. We are often called to confront our own "names"—the identities we have adopted, the labels others have placed on us, or the self-perceptions we cling to, especially those rooted in past failures, self-reliance, or deceptive patterns. True spiritual growth necessitates an honest, unvarnished acknowledgment of who we are before God, laying bare our flaws, weaknesses, and the ways we have "supplanted" His will with our own. This narrative reminds us that our most significant transformations often occur not in comfort, but in moments of intense struggle, isolation, or vulnerability, where God meets us in our wrestling matches to refine our character and reveal His purposes. Just as Jacob received a new name and identity, believers are invited into a new identity in Christ, moving from an old self defined by sin and human effort to a new creation, a process that begins with acknowledging our past and surrendering to God's transformative power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "name" or identity have I been living under that needs to be confessed and surrendered to God?**
* **In what areas of my life am I still "wrestling" with God, and what might He be trying to reveal about my true self or His purposes?**
* **How does an honest confession of my weaknesses and failures before God open the door for deeper spiritual transformation and blessing?**
* **What does it mean practically to embrace a "new name" or identity in Christ, and how does that impact my daily walk?**

### FAQ
**Why did the divine figure ask for Jacob's name if he presumably already knew it?**

Answer: The question "What is thy name?" was not an inquiry for information but a profound demand for self-identification and confession. In ancient Near Eastern thought, a name encapsulated one's character, history, and destiny. By asking Jacob to state his name, "Jacob" (meaning "supplanter" or "deceiver"), the divine figure compelled him to acknowledge his past and his true nature, a necessary step before he could receive a new identity and blessing from God. It was an act designed to elicit honesty and humility, marking a pivotal moment of self-confrontation that prepared Jacob for his new covenant relationship and name, "Israel," as seen in the very next verse, [Genesis 32:28](/genesis/32-28 "Genesis 32:28 - Jacob Renamed Israel").

**Who was the "man" Jacob wrestled with at the Jabbok?**

Answer: The identity of the "man" is mysterious and has been a subject of theological debate, but the biblical text strongly implies a divine encounter. While initially called a "man" in [Genesis 32:24](/genesis/32-24 "Genesis 32:24 - Jacob Wrestles a Man"), Jacob himself later declares, "I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved" in [Genesis 32:30](/genesis/32-30 "Genesis 32:30 - Jacob Sees God Face to Face"). The prophet Hosea further clarifies this encounter, stating that Jacob "wrestled with God" and "had power over the angel" in [Hosea 12:3-4](/hosea/12-3-4 "Hosea 12:3-4 - Jacob's Struggle with God"). This suggests a theophany or Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of God or Christ—in human form, engaging Jacob in a profound, transformative encounter designed to prepare him for his destiny as the father of the nation of Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The pivotal encounter at the Jabbok, where Jacob confronts his true identity and confesses his name, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jacob's wrestling with a divine figure, his injury, and his ultimate reception of a new identity foreshadow the spiritual struggle and ultimate victory found in Christ. Just as Jacob had to confess his old, deceptive identity before receiving a new name, believers are called to confess their sinful nature and surrender their old self to Christ. It is through Christ's perfect life, atoning death, and triumphant resurrection that a true and lasting new identity—one of righteousness, adoption, and sonship—is bestowed upon us, far surpassing the partial transformation experienced by Jacob. Christ is the ultimate "blessing" Jacob sought, the one who truly grapples with our fallenness, bears our infirmities, and through His finished work on the cross, grants us a complete and unblemished new name and standing before God. We are no longer defined by our past "supplanter" nature but are made "new creations" in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), clothed in His righteousness ([Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness from God")), and given the right to be called "children of God" ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Children of God")). His victory over sin and death is our new identity, enabling us to walk in "newness of life" ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life")) as those who have truly "wrestled with God" through faith and found grace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.