How Jacob became Israel?
When we look at the names of Biblical characters in Hebrew we see the things that cannot be seen in translation. Take for example, the story of Jacob being transformed into Israel.
Jacob’s name in Hebrew (יַעֲקב YAKoV) was connected with the word for “heel” (עָקֵב AKeV) . You remember that when baby Esau first came out, the midwife could not believe her eyes: his sibling brother was holding Esau by his heel not willing to let him go! Seeing their child grasping his brother by the heel Rebecca and Isaac called him — Yakov (Jacob).
Jacob’s birth defined his life until another event of even greater significance — his personal encounter with a very special messenger. He is known in the Bible as the Angel of the LORD (Gen.32).
Just like at his birth, now too Jacob held on rather hard to someone! This time not to his older brother, but to the Angel of the LORD himself. Jacob demanded that he would finally be granted something that he was not given as a child — the mighty blessing he so greatly valued and passionately desired. Seeing Jacob’s persistence and utmost commitment, the Angel of the LORD granted Jacob his request by blessings him.
To show that there has been a real change in Jacob’s life. The Angel of the LORD gave Jacob a completely new name — יִשְׂרָאֵל Yisra’el (Israel).
They key to understanding this is hidden in this names original Hebrew meaning. The Word יִשְׂרָאֵל yiSRaEL is related to the verb לִשְׂרות Lisrot which in Biblical Hebrew means to struggle, to strive, to exercise influence, in this context, with God Himself! (Gen.32:30) So important was this event in world history that the nation descending from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was named after this particular encounter. These decedents will be forever known as the People of Israel, the People that Struggle with God.
(To watch this video on YouTube click HERE)
Very enligthen
Thank you for sending your teachings to my inbox, Dr. Eli. Thank you for teaching us and sharing with your gift from The Holy One.
Dear Dr. Eli
I was just going through my Email before deleting some, and came across a YouTube titled “Tribe of Judah Teach”. I thoroughly enjoyed the video. Is there any way that I can get this teaching tool?
Please inform me how.
Thank you
Daphne
I am not certain what you are referring to…
I so appreciate these insights-I can’t really express what they mean to me….maybe like hearing from home. I have had a love for our Heavenly Father since the age of two, so I’ve had a lot of years reading His Word again and again. However, in the last few years, I’ve begun to see the people in scripture as people….not just a part of the historical account. I’ve been struck by the inner motivation that brings them to life. Jacob’s story is a recent one for me. I have heard how unborn twin siblings have been watched interacting in the womb. It’s caused me to wonder if Jacob holding Esau’s heel was, “Don’t leave me!” and wrestling FOR God’s love was his motive. Thank you for teaching us.
Eli, I still do not understand how it is that Israel struggles with God. To my understanding, it is the other nations who struggle with God: – Israel has been through the history, not always completely, though, but on the side of God, while the others tried to eliminate the nation that represented our Father, and with Israel – the very idea of our Creator.
The other thing, about no peace in the land. Like you, I do not remember any verse in the Torah where God would pronounce verbatim “no peace” in the land. Rather, He stated this implicitly, when He promised shalom in the land if Israel obeys his commandment to destroys the pagan nations in Canaan.
THANK YOU DR. IT IS AMASING HOW YOU INTEPRET THIS SCRIPTURE. YOUR INSIGHT HAS GIVEN ME NEW REVELATIONS WHICH I COULD NOT GET JUST BY STUDYING THE ENGLISH VERSION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH
SHALOM
Thanks! Glad you it means so much to you. Pass it on, share with friends.
In my language the words “fighing with God” could be understood as :1.fighting against God
2. figting with God, as with comrad, friend; as you not go for to fight withouth sword, Isroel not go to fight without God.
How is it in Hebrew, that is the most important question.
Rado
Hebrew is a pictoral language, always open to interpretation. To me this is what makes it beautiful.
Israel = struggling with G_d!! Doesn’t surprise me. When the promised land was finally shown to Moses, a everlasting promise was included in it: There will never be peace in it.” Or something similar” So this teaches us in the most wearily form that one of the greatest ambitions of mankind( peace and freedom) is to be achieved in the same, wearing dispense of good will and courage! May He who exists help us find the path to achieve it!
Dear Carlos, thanks for your comment. I am not sure that you are right about the promise that there will not be peace there. Can you please supplies us with Biblical reference you have in mind? What I do know is that (according to the witness account) when Joseph Stalin gave his OK to cast 6 USSR controlled votes in the UN in 1947 to give Israel its independence that is EXACTLY what he said after inhaling spoke from his pipe (There will no longer be peace there)).
Thank you Dr. Eli, I did know some of what you were saying but not the part were the children of Israel are called “the People that Struggle with God.” They seemed to do this all through the Old Testament and God would not let them enter the promise land until that generation died in the wilderness. I sure enjoy your insight the scriptures, God bless!
Desculpe eu preenchi a subscricao pensando que era o lugar da opiniao. SOBRE O Anjo e Jaco quando o Anjo toca a COXA de Jaco ele tira os seus pecados com as servas. Israel fica santificado