Genesis 32:31

KJV

And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.

KJV (with Strong's)

And as he passed over {H5674} Penuel {H6439} the sun {H8121} rose {H2224} upon him, and he halted {H6760} upon his thigh {H3409}.

Complete Jewish Bible

As the sun rose upon him he went on past P'ni-El, limping at the hip.

Berean Standard Bible

The sun rose above him as he passed by Penuel, and he was limping because of his hip.

American Standard Version

And the sun rose upon him as he passed over Penuel, and he limped upon his thigh.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 32:31 profoundly captures the immediate, transformative aftermath of Jacob's all-night struggle at the Jabbok. As the sun ascends, symbolizing a new dawn, Jacob departs from Penuel, the "face of God," bearing a permanent limp upon his thigh. This physical mark serves as an enduring testament to his divine encounter, signifying his profound spiritual transformation from a self-reliant schemer to a humbled patriarch, now dependent on God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse directly follows Jacob's mysterious and intense wrestling match at the ford of Jabbok, detailed in [Genesis 32:22-30](/genesis/32-22-30 "Jacob's Encounter at Jabbok"). Having sent his family and possessions across the ford, Jacob remained alone, encountering a divine being with whom he wrestled until daybreak. During this struggle, Jacob refused to release his opponent until he received a blessing, leading to a profound change in his identity. His name was changed from Jacob ("supplanter" or "deceiver") to Israel ("he struggles with God" or "God strives"), signifying a new character and destiny ([Genesis 32:28](/genesis/32-28 "Jacob's Name Changed to Israel")). Jacob himself named the place Peniel (or Penuel), declaring, "I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved" ([Genesis 32:30](/genesis/32-30 "Jacob Names Peniel")). Genesis 32:31 thus serves as the narrative's resolution to this encounter, depicting Jacob's physical departure from this sacred space, forever marked by the divine touch. It bridges the intense personal struggle with the impending reunion with Esau, preparing the reader for a Jacob who is no longer the same man.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, a physical mark or injury could carry significant symbolic weight, often indicating a profound experience, a battle fought, or a new status. The act of wrestling itself, while a common physical contest, here transcends the mundane, involving a divine opponent. The "ford" of Jabbok was a liminal space, a boundary, often associated with danger and transition, making it a fitting location for such a pivotal encounter. The rising sun, a universal symbol of new beginnings, light, and hope, would have been particularly potent after a night of darkness and struggle. For a patriarch like Jacob, whose strength and cunning had defined his life, a physical injury that caused a permanent limp would have been a profound humbling, a visible sign of his dependence rather than his self-sufficiency, challenging the cultural value placed on physical prowess.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 32:31 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Divine Encounter**, demonstrating God's direct and personal interaction with His chosen patriarchs, even in unexpected and physically challenging ways. The verse highlights **Transformation and New Identity**, as Jacob's physical limp becomes a tangible sign of his spiritual metamorphosis from Jacob to Israel, a man who has genuinely "struggled with God" and prevailed, though not without cost. This leads to the theme of **Dependence on God**, as Jacob's physical weakness forces him to rely not on his own strength or schemes, but on divine grace. Furthermore, it touches upon the **Cost of Blessing**, illustrating that profound spiritual blessings often come with a humbling or a form of suffering, as seen in Jacob's permanent injury. This encounter also foreshadows the future struggles and resilience of the nation of Israel, who would often "halt" or stumble in their walk with God, yet ultimately be preserved by His covenant faithfulness, a theme explored throughout the [prophetic books](/isaiah/1 "The Book of Isaiah") and [historical narratives](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 32:31 vividly portrays the immediate consequences of Jacob's transformative night, marking his transition from a man of cunning to a man dependent on God.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **`'âbar` (Hebrew, _ʻâbar'_):** This primitive root means "to cross over," encompassing a wide range of transitions—literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive. In this context, "passed over" signifies Jacob's physical movement away from the ford of Jabbok and Penuel, but also implies a profound spiritual transition. He is not merely moving geographically; he is moving into a new phase of his life, carrying the indelible mark of his divine encounter. It speaks to the crossing of a threshold, from one identity and mode of living to another.
* **`Pᵉnûwʼêl` (Hebrew, _Pᵉnûwʼêl'_):** Meaning "face of God," this is the name Jacob himself bestowed upon the place where he wrestled with the divine being. The fact that he "passed over Penuel" means he is leaving the physical location where he saw God face to face. This name underscores the intensely personal and direct nature of the encounter, affirming that Jacob truly met God and survived, albeit changed. His departure from "the face of God" signifies a carrying forth of that profound revelation into his subsequent journey.
* **`tsâlaʻ` (Hebrew, _tsâlaʻ'_):** This primitive root means "to limp" or "to halt," specifically implying a one-sided gait. The KJV translates it as "halted," indicating a permanent lameness or disability, not a temporary injury. This word is crucial as it describes the lasting physical consequence of the divine touch, signifying Jacob's dislocated hip. It conveys the image of someone who can no longer walk with full strength or self-reliance, but must now proceed with a noticeable impairment, a constant reminder of his encounter and his newfound dependence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And as he passed over Penuel":** This phrase describes Jacob's physical movement away from the sacred site he had just named, "Penuel," meaning "Face of God." The act of "passing over" signifies not just a geographical departure but also a transition from the intense, isolated encounter into the next phase of his journey, now carrying the weight and blessing of that experience. It emphasizes that the encounter was not merely a vision but a tangible event that had a lasting impact on his physical being as he moved forward.
* **"the sun rose upon him":** This is a powerful symbolic image. After a night of darkness, fear, and intense spiritual and physical struggle, the dawn signifies a new day, a new beginning, and a new era in Jacob's life. The rising sun represents divine illumination, clarity, and the breaking of a new spiritual and personal season for the patriarch, now renamed Israel. This new light shines upon a man fundamentally altered, emerging from the darkness of his past self-reliance into the light of God's transformative power.
* **"and he halted upon his thigh":** This is the lasting physical consequence of the encounter, a permanent injury to Jacob's hip or thigh. The word "halted" (Hebrew: _tsâla'_) indicates a limp, a permanent disability. This dislocated hip served as a constant, tangible reminder of his wrestling match with God and the divine power he encountered. It was a mark of humility, stripping Jacob of his self-reliance and physical prowess, forcing him into a posture of dependence where he could no longer rely solely on his own strength or manipulative schemes. Though a wound, it functioned as a badge of blessing, signifying that he had wrestled with God and prevailed, receiving a new identity and a visible sign of his transformation. Furthermore, his limp was a prophetic symbol, foreshadowing the future of his descendants, Israel, who would often stumble and struggle, yet ultimately be preserved by God's grace.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 32:31 is rich in **Symbolism**. The **rising sun** is a potent symbol of new beginnings, divine light, and the end of a dark, arduous night. For Jacob, it signifies the dawn of his new identity as Israel and the start of a life marked by divine favor and dependence. The most prominent symbol is Jacob's **limp**, which functions on multiple levels. It is a physical manifestation of his divine encounter, a permanent reminder of God's power and Jacob's vulnerability. It symbolizes his newfound **humility** and **dependence** on God, as he can no longer rely on his own physical strength or cunning. The limp also carries **prophetic significance**, foreshadowing the future struggles and "stumbling" of the nation of Israel, yet also their ultimate preservation by God's grace. There is also an element of **Irony** in the narrative: Jacob, the "supplanter" who often used cunning and physical advantage to achieve his ends, is now physically disadvantaged, forced to walk in a way that visibly declares his reliance on a power greater than himself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jacob's physical injury as he departs Penuel is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine encounter and transformation. It teaches us that authentic encounters with God often leave an indelible mark, not always physical, but certainly spiritual, reshaping our identity and our walk. This "limp" serves as a constant reminder that our strength is found not in self-reliance, but in humble dependence on God. It underscores the biblical principle that God often uses weakness to perfect His strength, transforming our struggles into testimonies of His grace. The blessing Jacob received was not without cost, illustrating that true spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God may involve a humbling process that strips away our self-sufficiency.

* [Hosea 12:3-4](/hosea/12-3-4 "Hosea's reference to Jacob's wrestling")
* [2 Corinthians 12:7-10](/2_corinthians/12-7-10 "Paul's thorn in the flesh")
* [Romans 5:3-5](/romans/5-3-5 "Suffering produces perseverance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jacob's limp as he passed over Penuel serves as a powerful metaphor for the Christian walk. It reminds us that our most transformative encounters with God, especially those that refine and humble us, often leave us changed, not necessarily physically, but spiritually marked. These "limps" are not signs of shame but rather testimonies to God's work in us—reminders of past struggles, weaknesses, or humbling experiences that keep us dependent on Him. They are badges of honor, signifying that we have wrestled with God and been blessed, carrying a tangible memory of His grace and power that compels us to walk in greater humility and reliance on His strength, not our own. Just as Jacob's limp forced him to lean on God, our own areas of weakness or past brokenness can become the very places where God's power is most clearly displayed, enabling us to walk in a new way, bearing witness to His transforming presence in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "limps" or areas of weakness in your life might God be using to teach you dependence on Him?**
* **How has a past struggle or humbling experience transformed your identity or walk with God?**
* **In what ways does your daily "walk" reflect a reliance on God's strength rather than your own?**
* **How can acknowledging your weaknesses become a source of strength and a testimony to God's grace?**

### FAQ

**Why did Jacob receive a lasting physical injury from his encounter with God?**

Answer: Jacob's dislocated hip served multiple profound purposes. Primarily, it was a tangible, permanent reminder of his direct, powerful encounter with God, solidifying the reality of the event and its divine nature. More significantly, it was a mark of humility, stripping him of his self-reliance and physical prowess, forcing him to depend entirely on God. This injury symbolized his transformation from Jacob, the self-sufficient "supplanter," to Israel, one who "struggles with God" and now walks in humble dependence on Him. It also served as a visible sign of the cost and blessing of divine encounter, a constant witness to his new identity and relationship with the Almighty.

**What is the significance of the sun rising as Jacob departs Penuel?**

Answer: The rising sun is deeply symbolic in this context. After a night of intense, transformative struggle, the dawn represents a new day and a new beginning for Jacob. It signifies divine illumination, hope, and the breaking of a new era in his life, marking his transition from the darkness of his past fears and self-reliance into the light of his new identity as Israel. The sun rising "upon him" suggests a personal blessing and divine favor, illuminating his new path as a man forever changed by God's presence, now walking in humble dependence on the One he encountered at [Penuel](/genesis/32-30 "Jacob Names Peniel").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jacob's wrestling at Penuel and his subsequent limp find profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Just as Jacob wrestled with a divine being, emerging transformed yet wounded, Christ himself endured the ultimate struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross, bearing the wounds of humanity's sin. His agonizing prayer and ultimate submission to the Father's will ([Luke 22:42-44](/luke/22-42-44 "Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")) parallel Jacob's wrestling for a blessing. Christ's suffering and death, which appeared as weakness and defeat to the world, became the very source of ultimate blessing and new life for all who believe ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Through His "limp"—His broken body on the cross—He disarmed the powers of darkness and secured our victory ([Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13-15 "Christ's Triumph Over Sin and Death")). Believers are invited to identify with Christ's suffering, to be broken and humbled in their own self-reliance, so that they might rise with a new identity, not by their own strength, but by the power of His resurrection ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "New Life in Christ")). Our "limps"—our weaknesses, struggles, and past brokenness—become the very avenues through which Christ's strength is perfected in us ([2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9-10 "God's Grace is Sufficient")), enabling us to walk in humble dependence on Him, bearing the marks of His grace and resurrection power, and testifying to His transformative work in our lives.

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.

Cross-References

2 Corinthians 12:7

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Genesis 32:25

And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

Genesis 19:15

¶ And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.

2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Genesis 19:23

The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.

Psalms 38:17

For I [am] ready to halt, and my sorrow [is] continually before me.

Judges 8:8

And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered [him].