Genesis 32: Wresting with the dark powers of the night

Genesis 32:24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. [kjv]

υπελειφθη δε ιακωβ μονος και επαλαιεν ανθρωπος μετ αυτου εως πρωι [lxx]

In Genesis 32, Jacob "wrestles" all night with someone who declines identification but instead "blesses" Jacob. Looking ahead, Jacob does not appear to be "blessed" in any way. Joseph is sold into slavery and rises to secular power in Egypt which eventually brings in Jacob and family who, in a few years, end up in slavery. It takes Moses and a lot of work to get that family out of (worldly) Egypt and into the "promised land".

The only use of the Greek word for "wrestle" in the GNT (Greek New Testament) is in Ephesians and refers to the dark powers that control this earthly world.

The only time that Jesus figuratively "wrestles" with the powers of darkness in the dark is in the garden before being arrested, tried, and crucified by those dark powers. Who might this unnamed individual be with whom Jacob wrestled?

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. [kjv]

The noun "the wrestle" here, the only time in the GNT, indicates that the combat or attack will be at very close range but the word can be interpreted as a mental exercise rather than a physical exercise (or both). The ancient Greek word "πάλη" ≈ "wrestling, fight" is from the ancient Greek word "πάλλω" ≈ "poise or sway a missile" as in before it is thrown or to brandish a weapon.

The word "against" is that of "to" or "towards".

What are the dangers that go beyond "flesh" and "blood"? What patterns are being used by Paul for the targets of that "wrestle"?

One "challenge" here is to "wrestle" with the words as written by Paul and not as translated into English.

More: Ephesians 6:12 Wrestling with words

Genesis 30:7 And Bilhah Rachel's maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son. [kjv]

30:8 And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali. [kjv]

The only other place in the LXX (Septuagint) where "wrestle" appears is two chapters earlier in Genesis involving Rachel.

It is unclear if this was an physical or a figurative wrestling.

Genesis 30:7

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KJV: And Bilhah Rachel's maid conceived again, and bare Jacob a second son.

Hebrew: ותהר עוד ותלד בלהה שפחת רחל בן שני ליעקב׃

Greek: και συνελαβεν ετι βαλλα η παιδισκη ραχηλ και ετεκεν υιον δευτερον τω ιακωβ

Genesis 30:8

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KJV: And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.

Hebrew: ותאמר רחל נפתולי אלהים נפתלתי עם אחתי גם יכלתי ותקרא שמו נפתלי׃

Greek: και ειπεν ραχηλ συνελαβετο μοι ο θεος και συνανεστραφην τη αδελφη μου και ηδυνασθην και εκαλεσεν το ονομα αυτου νεφθαλι

Here is the context of the "wrestling" at "night" starting with Genesis 32:20.

Genesis 32:20 And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me. [kjv]

Genesis 32:20

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KJV: And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.

Hebrew: ואמרתם גם הנה עבדך יעקב אחרינו כי אמר אכפרה פניו במנחה ההלכת לפני ואחרי כן אראה פניו אולי ישא פני׃

Greek: και ερειτε ιδου ο παις σου ιακωβ παραγινεται οπισω ημων ειπεν γαρ εξιλασομαι το προσωπον αυτου εν τοις δωροις τοις προπορευομενοις αυτου και μετα τουτο οψομαι το προσωπον αυτου ισως γαρ προσδεξεται το προσωπον μου

Genesis 32:21 So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company. [kjv]

και παρεπορευοντο τα δωρα κατα προσωπον αυτου αυτος δε εκοιμηθη την νυκτα εκεινην εν τη παρεμβολη [lxx]

32:22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. [kjv]

32:23 And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. [kjv]

Genesis 32:21

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KJV: So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company.

Hebrew: ותעבר המנחה על פניו והוא לן בלילה ההוא במחנה׃

Greek: και παρεπορευοντο τα δωρα κατα προσωπον αυτου αυτος δε εκοιμηθη την νυκτα εκεινην εν τη παρεμβολη

Genesis 32:22

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KJV: And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.

Hebrew: ויקם בלילה הוא ויקח את שתי נשיו ואת שתי שפחתיו ואת אחד עשר ילדיו ויעבר את מעבר יבק׃

Greek: αναστας δε την νυκτα εκεινην ελαβεν τας δυο γυναικας και τας δυο παιδισκας και τα ενδεκα παιδια αυτου και διεβη την διαβασιν του ιαβοκ

Genesis 32:23

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KJV: And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.

Hebrew: ויקחם ויעברם את הנחל ויעבר את אשר לו׃

Greek: και ελαβεν αυτους και διεβη τον χειμαρρουν και διεβιβασεν παντα τα αυτου

Genesis 32:24 … wrestled … man … day. [kjv]

υπελειφθη δε ιακωβ μονος και επαλαιεν ανθρωπος μετ αυτου εως πρωι [lxx]

The "wrestling" took place at night.

The "man" is as yet unidentified.

Genesis 32:24

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KJV: And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

Hebrew: ויותר יעקב לבדו ויאבק איש עמו עד עלות השחר׃

Greek: υπελειφθη δε ιακωβ μονος και επαλαιεν ανθρωπος μετ αυτου εως πρωι

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. [kjv]

ειδεν δε οτι ου δυναται προς αυτον και ηψατο του πλατους του μηρου αυτου και εναρκησεν το πλατος του μηρου ιακωβ εν τω παλαιειν αυτον μετ αυτου [lxx]

In ancient times, the "sport" of "wrestling" had no rules. It could get violent. And anyone who has tried it knows that one can get tired in a minute or so.

Genesis 32:25

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KJV: 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.

Hebrew: וירא כי לא יכל לו ויגע בכף ירכו ותקע כף ירך יעקב בהאבקו עמו׃

Greek: ειδεν δε οτι ου δυναται προς αυτον και ηψατο του πλατους του μηρου αυτου και εναρκησεν το πλατος του μηρου ιακωβ εν τω παλαιειν αυτον μετ αυτου

Genesis 32:26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. [kjv]

και ειπεν αυτω αποστειλον με ανεβη γαρ ο ορθρος ο δε ειπεν ου μη σε αποστειλω εαν μη με ευλογησης [lxx]

When the daylight arrives, the powers of darkness tend to not want to stay around.

When Jesus makes an appearance, such as to Joshua before the Battle of Jericho, he provides his rank and position.

When angels of God appear, they often give their name.

If this were Jesus, or an angel of God, why would they not identify themselves when asked.

More: The battle between Joshua and Jesus

More: Song: Joshua fought the battle of Jericho

More: Lower than the angels

The English word "angel" comes from the ancient Greek word "ἄγγελος" ≈ "messenger, one that announces".

In the Biblical context, the meaning is that of a messenger from God and comes from the Hebrew word "מלאך" (mal-ak) ≈ "angel" and is the root word for the prophet name "Malachi".

Despite the song "Hark the herald angels sing" the Bible records only one angel not singing at the birth of Jesus.

Other ancient cultures such as in Egypt, Babylon, Greece, etc., had supernatural beings that were messengers that brought news - good or bad. This idea appears to have been passed down from Adam, eventually to Noah, eventually to peoples and cultures dispersed from the Ark and the Tower of Babel, etc.

More: Touched by an angelic messenger

The modern Greek word "θεοφάνια" (theh-o-FA-nee-a) ≈ "Theophany" is the Greek term used for "Epiphany".

In English, a "Theophany" is often used to refer to an appearance of Jesus in the Old Testament - such as Joshua and the Battle of Jericho.

More: Song: Joshua fought the battle of Jericho

A "Theophany" is in contrast to messages delivered by "angels" as "messengers" from God.

One can contrast "angels" as "messengers" with "nanotechnology" in the field of "robotics".

More: The coming of epiphany

Genesis 32:26

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KJV: And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

Hebrew: ויאמר שלחני כי עלה השחר ויאמר לא אשלחך כי אם ברכתני׃

Greek: και ειπεν αυτω αποστειλον με ανεβη γαρ ο ορθρος ο δε ειπεν ου μη σε αποστειλω εαν μη με ευλογησης

Genesis 32:27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. [kjv]

ειπεν δε αυτω τι το ονομα σου εστιν ο δε ειπεν ιακωβ [lxx]

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. [kjv]

Genesis 32:27

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KJV: And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.

Hebrew: ויאמר אליו מה שמך ויאמר יעקב׃

Greek: ειπεν δε αυτω τι το ονομα σου εστιν ο δε ειπεν ιακωβ

Genesis 32:28

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KJV: 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.

Hebrew: ויאמר לא יעקב יאמר עוד שמך כי אם ישראל כי שרית עם אלהים ועם אנשים ותוכל׃

Greek: ειπεν δε αυτω ου κληθησεται ετι το ονομα σου ιακωβ αλλα ισραηλ εσται το ονομα σου οτι ενισχυσας μετα θεου και μετα ανθρωπων δυνατος

Genesis 32:29 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. [kjv]

ηρωτησεν δε ιακωβ και ειπεν αναγγειλον μοι το ονομα σου και ειπεν ινα τι τουτο ερωτας το ονομα μου και ηυλογησεν αυτον εκει [lxx]

Genesis 32:29

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KJV: 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.

Hebrew: וישאל יעקב ויאמר הגידה נא שמך ויאמר למה זה תשאל לשמי ויברך אתו שם׃

Greek: ηρωτησεν δε ιακωβ και ειπεν αναγγειλον μοι το ονομα σου και ειπεν ινα τι τουτο ερωτας το ονομα μου και ηυλογησεν αυτον εκει

Genesis 32:30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. [kjv]

και εκαλεσεν ιακωβ το ονομα του τοπου εκεινου ειδος θεου ειδον γαρ θεον προσωπον προς προσωπον και εσωθη μου η ψυχη [lxx]

32:31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. [kjv]

ανετειλεν δε αυτω ο ηλιος ηνικα παρηλθεν το ειδος του θεου αυτος δε επεσκαζεν τω μηρω αυτου [lxx]

Genesis 32:30

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KJV: And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

Hebrew: ויקרא יעקב שם המקום פניאל כי ראיתי אלהים פנים אל פנים ותנצל נפשי׃

Greek: και εκαλεσεν ιακωβ το ονομα του τοπου εκεινου ειδος θεου ειδον γαρ θεον προσωπον προς προσωπον και εσωθη μου η ψυχη

Genesis 32:31

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

Hebrew: ויזרח לו השמש כאשר עבר את פנואל והוא צלע על ירכו׃

Greek: ανετειλεν δε αυτω ο ηλιος ηνικα παρηλθεν το ειδος του θεου αυτος δε επεσκαζεν τω μηρω αυτου

Genesis 32:32 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. [kjv]

ενεκεν τουτου ου μη φαγωσιν οι υιοι ισραηλ το νευρον ο εναρκησεν ο εστιν επι του πλατους του μηρου εως της ημερας ταυτης οτι ηψατο του πλατους του μηρου ιακωβ του νευρου και εναρκησεν [lxx]

This appears to be a "superstition". It is in remembrance but otherwise it is unclear why this would have any effect on anything.

Genesis 32:32

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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.

Hebrew: על כן לא יאכלו בני ישראל את גיד הנשה אשר על כף הירך עד היום הזה כי נגע בכף ירך יעקב בגיד הנשה׃

Greek: ενεκεν τουτου ου μη φαγωσιν οι υιοι ισραηλ το νευρον ο εναρκησεν ο εστιν επι του πλατους του μηρου εως της ημερας ταυτης οτι ηψατο του πλατους του μηρου ιακωβ του νευρου και εναρκησεν