TRV
Translation
King James Version
And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
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.
World English Bible Messianic
The sun rose on him as he passed over Peniel, and he limped because of his thigh.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the sunne rose vp to him as he passed Peniel, and he halted vpon his thigh.
Young's Literal Translation
and the sun riseth on him when he hath passed over Penuel, and he is halting on his thigh;
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In the KJVVerse 960 of 31,102
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Commentary on Genesis 32 verses 24–32
24 ¶ And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
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.
26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
32 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.
We have here the remarkable story of Jacob's wrestling with the angel and prevailing, which is referred to, Hos 12:4. Very early in the morning, a great while before day, Jacob had helped his wives and his children over the river, and he desired to be private, and was left alone, that he might again more fully spread his cares and fears before God in prayer. Note, We ought to continue instant in prayer, always to pray and not to faint: frequency and importunity in prayer prepare us for mercy. While Jacob was earnest in prayer, stirring up himself to take hold on God, an angel takes hold on him. Some think this was a created angel, the angel of his presence (Isa 63:9), one of those that always behold the face of our Father and attend on the shechinah, or the divine Majesty, which probably Jacob had also in view. Others think it was Michael our prince, the eternal Word, the angel of the covenant, who is indeed the Lord of the angels, who often appeared in a human shape before he assumed the human nature for a perpetuity; whichsoever it was, we are sure God's name was in him, Exo 23:21. Observe,
I. How Jacob and this angel engaged, Gen 32:24. It was a single combat, hand to hand; they had neither of them any seconds. Jacob was now full of care and fear about the interview he expected, next day, with his brother, and, to aggravate the trial, God himself seemed to come forth against him as an enemy, to oppose his entrance into the land of promise, and to dispute the pass with him, not suffering him to follow his wives and children whom he had sent before. Note, Strong believers must expect divers temptations, and strong ones. We are told by the prophet (Hos 12:4) how Jacob wrestled: he wept, and made supplication; prayers and tears were his weapons. It was not only a corporal, but a spiritual, wrestling, by the vigorous actings of faith and holy desire; and thus all the spiritual seed of Jacob, that pray in praying, still wrestle with God.
II. What was the success of the engagement. 1. Jacob kept his ground; though the struggle continued long, the angel, prevailed not against him (Gen 32:25), that is, this discouragement did not shake his faith, nor silence his prayer. It was not in his own strength that he wrestled, nor by his own strength that he prevailed, but in and by strength derived from Heaven. That of Job illustrates this (Job 23:6), Will he plead against me with his great power? No (had the angel done so, Jacob had been crushed), but he will put strength in me; and by that strength Jacob had power over the angel, Hos 12:4. Note, We cannot prevail with God but in his own strength. It is his Spirit that intercedes in us, and helps our infirmities, Rom 8:26. 2. The angel put out Jacob's thigh, to show him what he could do, and that it was God he was wrestling with, for no man could disjoint his thigh with a touch. Some think that Jacob felt little or no pain from this hurt; it is probable that he did not, for he did not so much as halt till the struggle was over (Gen 32:31), and, if so, this was an evidence of a divine touch indeed, which wounded and healed at the same time. Jacob prevailed, and yet had his thigh put out. Note, Wrestling believers may obtain glorious victories, and yet come off with broken bones; for when they are weak then are they strong, weak in themselves, but strong in Christ, Co2 12:10. Our honours and comforts in this world have their alloys. 3. The angel, by an admirable condescension, mildly requests Jacob to let him go (Gen 32:26), as God said to Moses (Exo 32:10), Let me alone. Could not a mighty angel get clear of Jacob's grapples? He could; but thus he would put an honour on Jacob's faith and prayer, and further try his constancy. The king is held in the galleries (Sol 7:5); I held him (says the spouse) and would not let him go, Sol 3:4. The reason the angel gives why he would be gone is because the day breaks, and therefore he would not any longer detain Jacob, who had business to do, a journey to go, a family to look after, which, especially in this critical juncture, called for his attendance. Note, Every thing is beautiful in its season; even the business of religion, and the comforts of communion with God, must sometimes give way to the necessary affairs of this life: God will have mercy, and not sacrifice. 4. Jacob persists in his holy importunity: I will not let thee go, except thou bless me; whatever becomes of his family and journey, he resolves to make the best he can of this opportunity, and not to lose the advantage of his victory: he does not mean to wrestle all night for nothing, but humbly resolves he will have a blessing, and rather shall all his bones be put out of joint than he will go away without one. The credit of a conquest will do him no good without the comfort of a blessing. In begging this blessing he owns his inferiority, though he seemed to have the upper hand in the struggle; for the less is blessed of the better. Note, Those that would have the blessing of Christ must be in good earnest, and be importunate for it, as those that resolve to have no denial. It is the fervent prayer that is the effectual prayer. 5. The angel puts a perpetual mark of honour upon him, by changing his name (Gen 32:27, Gen 32:28): "Thou art a brave combatant" (says the angel), "a man of heroic resolution; what is thy name?" "Jacob," says he, a supplanter; so Jacob signifies: "Well," says the angel, "be thou never so called any more; henceforth thou shalt be celebrated, not for craft and artful management, but for true valour; thou shalt be called Israel, a prince with God, a name greater than those of the great men of the earth." He is a prince indeed that is a prince with God, and those are truly honourable that are mighty in prayer, Israels, Israelites indeed. Jacob is here knighted in the field, as it were, and has a title of honour given him by him that is the fountain of honour, which will remain, to his praise, to the end of time. Yet this was not all; having power with God, he shall have power with men too. Having prevailed for a blessing from heaven, he shall, no doubt, prevail for Esau's favour. Note, Whatever enemies we have, if we can but make God our friend, we are well off; those that by faith have power on earth as they have occasion for. 6. He dismisses him with a blessing, Gen 32:29. Jacob desired to know the angel's name, that he might, according to his capacity, do him honour, Jdg 13:17. But that request was denied, that he might not be too proud of his conquest, nor think he had the angel at such an advantage as to oblige him to what he pleased. No, "Wherefore dost thou ask after my name? What good will it do thee to know that?" The discovery of that was reserved for his death-bed, upon which he was taught to call him Shiloh. But, instead of telling him his name, he gave him his blessing, which was the thing he wrestled for: He blessed him there, repeated and ratified the blessing formerly given him. Note, Spiritual blessings, which secure our felicity, are better and much more desirable than fine notions which satisfy our curiosity. An interest in the angel's blessing is better than an acquaintance with his name. The tree of life is better than the tree of knowledge. Thus Jacob carried his point; a blessing he wrestled for, and a blessing he had; nor did ever any of his praying seed seek in vain. See how wonderfully God condescends to countenance and crown importunate prayer: those that resolve, though God slay them, yet to trust in him, will, at length, be more than conquerors. 7. Jacob gives a new name to the place; he calls it Peniel, the face of God (Gen 32:30), because there he had seen the appearance of God, and obtained the favour of God. Observe, The name he gives to the place preserves and perpetuates, not the honour of his valour or victory, but only the honour of God's free grace. He does not say, "In this place I wrestled with God, and prevailed;" but, "In this place I saw God face to face, and my life was preserved;" not, "It was my praise that I came off a conqueror, but it was God's mercy that I escaped with my life." Note, It becomes those whom God honours to take shame to themselves, and to admire the condescensions of his grace to them. Thus David did, after God had sent him a gracious message (Sa2 7:18), Who am I, O Lord God? 8. The memorandum Jacob carried of this in his bones: He halted on his thigh (Gen 32:31); some think he continued to do so to his dying-day; and, if he did, he had no reason to complain, for the honour and comfort he obtained by this struggle were abundantly sufficient to countervail the damage, though he went limping to his grave. He had no reason to look upon it as his reproach thus to bear in his body the marks of the Lord Jesus (Gal 6:17); yet it might serve, like Paul's thorn in the flesh, to keep him from being lifted up with the abundance of the revelations. Notice is taken of the sun's rising upon him when he passed over Penuel; for it is sunrise with that soul that has communion with God. The inspired penman mentions a traditional custom which the seed of Jacob had, in remembrance of this, never to eat of that sinew, or muscle, in any beast, by which the hip-bone is fixed in its cup: thus they preserved the memorial of this story, and gave occasion to their children to enquire concerning it; they also did honour to the memory of Jacob. And this use we may still make of it, to acknowledge the mercy of God, and our obligations to Jesus Christ, that we may now keep up our communion with God, in faith, hope, and love, without peril either of life or limb.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 24–32. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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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
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
Verse Breakdown
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.
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
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.
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) 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). Through His "limp"—His broken body on the cross—He disarmed the powers of darkness and secured our victory (Colossians 2:13-15). 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). 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), 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.