Genesis 32:32

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 32:32 establishes an enduring dietary custom among the children of Israel: the abstinence from consuming the sciatic nerve, referred to as the "sinew which shrank." This practice serves as a perpetual, tangible memorial to the pivotal night when their patriarch, Jacob, wrestled with a divine being at Peniel, an encounter that resulted in a dislocated thigh and his transformative renaming as Israel, signifying a new identity forged through struggle, vulnerability, and divine blessing.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the dramatic narrative of Jacob's wrestling match, which is the climax of Genesis 32. Immediately preceding this, Jacob, filled with fear and apprehension about meeting his estranged brother Esau, had sent his family and possessions ahead, choosing to remain alone by the Jabbok ford [Genesis 32:22-23](/genesis/32-22-23 "Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau"). It is in this solitary, vulnerable state that he encounters a mysterious "man" and wrestles with him until dawn [Genesis 32:24-25](/genesis/32-24-25 "Jacob Wrestles at Peniel"). The injury to Jacob's thigh and his subsequent limp are direct consequences of this encounter, leading to his new name, Israel, and his naming of the place Peniel [Genesis 32:28-30](/genesis/32-28-30 "Jacob Renamed Israel and Names Peniel"). Genesis 32:32, therefore, functions as an etiological statement, explaining the origin of a specific Israelite custom that directly stems from this foundational patriarchal event, linking a physical injury to a lasting communal practice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, certain dietary prohibitions and ritual practices were common, often serving as markers of identity, religious devotion, or historical remembrance. For the Israelites, their dietary laws (kashrut) later codified in the Mosaic Law, distinguished them from surrounding nations and reinforced their covenant relationship with God. While the full scope of kosher laws developed later, this verse provides a unique, pre-Mosaic example of a dietary restriction rooted in a specific, foundational patriarchal event. The act of "touching" or striking a vital part of the body, like the hip, could signify a profound, even debilitating, impact, reflecting the divine power at play. The enduring nature of the custom "unto this day" emphasizes its significance as a living memorial passed down through generations, ensuring that the transformative encounter of their patriarch remained a present reality for the community.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 32:32 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book of Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Encounter and Transformation**, showing how direct interaction with God, even through struggle, leads to profound personal change and a new identity, as seen in Jacob's renaming to [Israel](/genesis/32-28 "Jacob's New Name: Israel"). Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Strength in Weakness**, where Jacob's physical vulnerability (his limp) becomes a perpetual reminder that his true strength and blessing come from God, not from his own physical prowess or cunning. This foreshadows later biblical teachings on God's power being made perfect in weakness. Thirdly, the verse emphasizes the **Significance of Ritual and Memory** in shaping communal identity. The dietary custom ensures that the foundational story of Jacob's wrestling and transformation is not merely a historical event but a continually re-enacted truth, binding generations to their spiritual heritage and the God of their ancestors.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 32:32 directly explains the origin of a unique dietary prohibition observed by the descendants of Jacob, the Israelites. It specifies that they do not consume the "sinew which shrank," commonly identified as the sciatic nerve, located in the hollow of the thigh. This custom is directly attributed to the divine encounter at Peniel, where the "man" touched Jacob's thigh, causing this specific sinew to be wrenched or dislocated, resulting in Jacob's permanent limp. The verse serves as a historical etiology, providing a tangible, physical link between a foundational national event and an ongoing communal practice.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sinew (Hebrew, _gîyd'_):** This word, H1517, refers to a "thong (as compressing)" or, by analogy, a "tendon" or "sinew." In this context, it specifically denotes the sciatic nerve, a major nerve in the thigh. Its precise mention highlights the exact anatomical location of Jacob's injury, emphasizing the specificity of the resulting dietary prohibition and its direct connection to the physical impact of the divine encounter.
* **Shrank (Hebrew, _nâsheh'_):** Derived from H5384, this term implies a sense of "failure," being "rheumatic or crippled." It describes the condition of the sinew after it was touched, indicating it was wrenched, dislocated, or withered. This word underscores the debilitating nature of Jacob's injury, which left him with a permanent limp, symbolizing his physical vulnerability and dependence on divine power rather than his own strength.
* **Touched (Hebrew, _nâgaʻ'_):** The word H5060, "to touch," carries a broad semantic range, from a gentle contact to a violent strike or impact. In the context of Jacob's wrestling, this "touch" was clearly forceful and impactful, resulting in a severe injury. It signifies the direct, powerful, and transformative intervention of the divine being, demonstrating God's ability to humble and reshape human lives through a single, decisive act.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Therefore the children of Israel eat not [of] the sinew which shrank, which [is] upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day:"** This clause establishes the enduring dietary custom. The "children of Israel" (Jacob's descendants, the nation) abstain from eating a specific part of an animal—the "sinew which shrank" (the sciatic nerve, or *gid hanasheh*). This sinew is precisely located "upon the hollow of the thigh," referring to the hip joint area. The phrase "unto this day" emphasizes the longevity and continued observance of this practice, highlighting its significance as a perpetual memorial and a living tradition within the Israelite community.
* **"because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank."** This second clause provides the etiological explanation for the custom. The reason for the prohibition is directly linked to the divine encounter at Peniel. The "he" refers to the divine being with whom Jacob wrestled. This being "touched" (or struck) Jacob's hip, specifically affecting the "sinew that shrank" in his thigh. This act caused Jacob's permanent injury and limp, making the dietary restriction a direct, physical commemoration of that transformative moment when Jacob wrestled with God and received a new identity.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 32:32 primarily functions as an **Etiology**, providing the origin story for a specific, enduring dietary custom among the Israelites. This etiological purpose grounds a ritual practice in a foundational historical event in the life of their patriarch, Jacob. The verse also employs **Repetition** by reiterating "sinew which shrank" and "hollow of the thigh," which serves to emphasize the precise nature of the injury and the specific focus of the dietary prohibition, ensuring clarity and reinforcing its significance. Furthermore, the limp itself, and by extension the dietary custom, functions as **Symbolism**. Jacob's permanent injury symbolizes his transformation from a cunning supplanter (Jacob) to one who struggles with God and prevails (Israel), embodying the concept of divine power being made manifest through human vulnerability. The "hollow of the thigh" can also be seen as a form of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where a part (the hip joint/sinew) represents the whole (Jacob's physical strength or even his entire being), indicating that the divine touch impacted him at a profound, foundational level.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 32:32 serves as a profound theological touchstone, embedding the memory of Jacob's transformative divine encounter into the very fabric of Israelite life through a unique dietary custom. This practice perpetually reminds the community that their identity as "Israel"—those who struggle with God and prevail—is rooted not in their own strength or cunning, but in a direct, often challenging, confrontation with divine power that leaves an indelible mark. It underscores the truth that God engages intimately with humanity, shaping destinies through encounters that may involve both humbling and blessing, ultimately leading to a deeper dependence on Him. The custom transforms a physical injury into a sacred, communal act of remembrance, reinforcing the idea that foundational spiritual truths are to be embodied and passed down through generations.

* [Hosea 12:3-4](/hosea/12-3-4 "Hosea's Reference to Jacob's Wrestling")
* [2 Corinthians 12:9-10](/2_corinthians/12-9-10 "Paul's Thorn in the Flesh and God's Grace")
* [Deuteronomy 6:6-7](/deuteronomy/6-6-7 "Teaching God's Commands to Future Generations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 32:32 profoundly illustrates how transformative spiritual experiences leave indelible marks, both individually and communally. Just as the Israelites perpetually remembered Jacob's life-altering encounter through a unique dietary custom, we are similarly called to reflect upon and internalize God's transformative work in our own lives and in the broader narrative of faith. Our personal "limps"—our vulnerabilities, struggles, or past encounters with divine power—can serve as powerful, ongoing testimonies to God's sovereignty, our dependence on Him, and the profound growth that emerges from wrestling with life's challenges. This verse encourages us to find deep meaning in our personal and collective histories, recognizing how God actively works through our perceived weaknesses and difficulties to forge strength, new identity, and enduring faith. It prompts us to consider what "limps" we carry that serve as reminders of God's touch, and how we might honor and remember those transformative moments in our own lives and communities.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "limps" or enduring marks from past struggles with God do you carry, and how have they shaped your identity and faith?**
* **In what ways do you or your community intentionally remember and pass down foundational spiritual encounters or truths?**
* **How does the concept of finding strength in weakness, as exemplified by Jacob, resonate with your own experience of God's grace?**

### FAQ
**Why did the Israelites specifically avoid the sciatic nerve?**

Answer: The custom originated from the specific injury Jacob sustained during his wrestling match with the divine being at Peniel. The "sinew which shrank" (Hebrew: *gid hanasheh*) refers to the sciatic nerve, which was dislocated or wrenched in Jacob's thigh. This specific prohibition served as a perpetual physical reminder of that pivotal, transformative event in their patriarch's life, marking the place where God's powerful touch humbled Jacob and gave him a new name, Israel, as recorded in [Genesis 32:25-30](/genesis/32-25-30 "Jacob's Injury and New Name").

**Is this dietary custom still observed today?**

Answer: Yes, the custom of not eating the sciatic nerve is still observed by many observant Jews today. This practice is an integral part of the kosher dietary laws, requiring the removal of the *gid hanasheh* from the hindquarters of animals, a process known as *nikkur* (de-veining). If the nerve is not removed, the hindquarters are often not eaten, reflecting the enduring significance of the event described in [Genesis 32:32](/genesis/32-32 "The Origin of the Dietary Custom").

**What is the broader significance of Jacob's limp and the custom?**

Answer: Jacob's limp served as a lifelong, tangible reminder of his divine encounter and his new identity as Israel. It symbolized his vulnerability and dependence on God, even after receiving a powerful blessing. The dietary custom extends this memory to all generations of Israelites, teaching them that their national identity and strength are rooted in a foundational struggle with God and a reliance on His power, rather than human might. It transforms a personal injury into a communal act of remembrance, ensuring that the lessons of [Jacob's wrestling at Peniel](/genesis/32-24-32 "Jacob's Encounter at Peniel") are continually passed down and embodied.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jacob's wrestling, his subsequent limp, and the enduring dietary custom in [Genesis 32:32](/genesis/32-32 "Genesis 32:32 - The Sinew Which Shrank") finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. Jacob's struggle with God, resulting in a new identity and blessing through vulnerability, powerfully prefigures Christ's own wrestling in Gethsemane [Luke 22:42-44](/luke/22-42-44 "Jesus Prays in Gethsemane") and His ultimate struggle on the cross [Hebrews 12:2](/hebrews/12-2 "Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of Our Faith"). Through His suffering and apparent weakness, Christ secured a new identity and an eternal blessing for all humanity, transforming our brokenness into redemption. Just as Jacob's limp served as a perpetual physical reminder of his divine encounter, the wounds of Christ—His crucifixion and resurrection—serve as the ultimate, indelible marks of God's transformative power and His new covenant with humanity [Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Made Alive in Christ"). Furthermore, while the Israelites' custom commemorates a physical injury, Christ, through His perfect sacrifice, removes the spiritual "limp" of sin, enabling humanity to truly "struggle with God" (as Israel's name implies) and prevail, not by their own might, but through His grace [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Salvation by Grace Through Faith"), granting a new spiritual identity and access to God's presence [Galatians 2:20](/galatians/2-20 "Crucified with Christ"). The dietary custom points to a need for purification and separation, which is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who cleanses us from all unrighteousness and makes us holy before God.

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

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.