Genesis 35:10

And God said unto him, Thy name [is] Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.

And God {H430} said {H559} unto him, Thy name {H8034} is Jacob {H3290}: thy name {H8034} shall not be called {H7121} any more Jacob {H3290}, but Israel {H3478} shall be thy name {H8034}: and he called {H7121} his name {H8034} Israel {H3478}.

God said to him, "Your name is Ya'akov, but you will be called Ya'akov no longer; your name will be Isra'el."Thus he named him Isra'el.

And God said to him, โ€œThough your name is Jacob, you will no longer be called Jacob. Instead, your name will be Israel.โ€ So God named him Israel.

And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.

Commentary

Genesis 35:10 records a pivotal moment in the life of Jacob, where God formally reaffirms his new name, Israel, signifying a profound change in his identity and destiny. This divine declaration takes place as Jacob returns to Bethel, a site of earlier spiritual encounters.

Context

This verse is a powerful reaffirmation of a name change that first occurred in Genesis 32:28, after Jacob wrestled with a mysterious figure, later revealed to be God Himself, at Peniel. Here in Genesis 35, Jacob has returned to Bethel at God's command, a place where he previously encountered God and received promises (see Genesis 28:13-15). The reaffirmation of the name 'Israel' in this sacred location underscores the permanence and significance of this new identity within God's covenant plan for Jacob and his descendants. In ancient cultures, a name change often symbolized a new destiny, character, or relationship, especially when given by a sovereign authority like God.

Key Themes

  • Divine Renaming and Identity: God's sovereign right to rename Jacob highlights His authority over human destiny and identity. Jacob, the "supplanter" or "heel-grabber," is transformed into Israel, signifying a new character and relationship with God. This change is not merely ceremonial but reflects a deep spiritual transformation.
  • Covenant Affirmation: The renaming is closely tied to the reaffirmation of the Abrahamic covenant promises to Jacob, including the promise of land and numerous descendants who would become a great nation. This act solidifies Jacob's role as a patriarch in the lineage through whom the Messiah would eventually come.
  • Transformation Through Struggle: The name Israel, meaning "he strives with God" or "God strives," reflects Jacob's journey of wrestling with God and man. His struggles, both physical and spiritual, ultimately led to a deeper reliance on God and a blessed new identity.

Linguistic Insights

The name Jacob (Hebrew: ื™ึทืขึฒืงึนื‘, Ya'akov) is associated with "heel-grabber" or "supplanter," reflecting his birth narrative where he held Esau's heel and his later actions of deceiving his brother and father. The name Israel (Hebrew: ื™ึดืฉึฐื‚ืจึธืึตืœ, Yisra'el) carries the profound meaning of "he struggles with God" or "God strives." This shift in naming represents God's acknowledgment of Jacob's persistent wrestling (both literally and figuratively) and His transforming power. It signifies a move from a character defined by human cunning to one defined by a divine encounter and a new relationship with the Almighty.

Practical Application

This verse offers powerful insights for believers today:

  • God's Transforming Power: Just as God transformed Jacob's identity, He continually works to transform us, changing our character and purpose from what we were by nature to who we are in Christ. Our past does not define our future with God.
  • Identity in Christ: For believers, our true identity is found in Christ. We are no longer defined by our old self or past sins but are a new creation in Him, called by His name.
  • Significance of Struggle: Jacob's name change came after a night of wrestling. Our spiritual struggles and challenges can be the very means through which God refines our character and deepens our relationship with Him, leading to a stronger, more authentic identity.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 17:5

    Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

  • Genesis 32:27

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

  • Genesis 32:28

    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.

  • Genesis 17:15

    ยถ And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah [shall] her name [be].

  • 1 Kings 18:31

    And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:

  • 2 Kings 17:34

    Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;
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