Did Jacob wrestle an angel or God?

[excaliber]

In Genesis chapter 32 or 33.
Jacobs name is changed to Isreal,
But first he wrestles with someone till morning.

Who was it?

Jacob seems to think it was God,
because in verse 30 he says so.

This makes no sence, who would be so bold as to wrestle with God himself?!?!?

 

[thistle]

In Genesis chapter 32 or 33.
Jacobs name is changed to Isreal,
But first he wrestles with someone till morning.

Who was it?

Jacob seems to think it was God,
because in verse 30 he says so.

This makes no sence, who would be so bold as to wrestle with God himself?!?!?

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 24. A man, &c. This was an angel in human shape, as we learn from Osee xii. 4. He is called God, ver. 28 and 30, because he represented the person of the Son of God. This wrestling, in which Jacob, assisted by God, was a match for an angel, was so ordered, (Ver. 28.) that he might learn by this experiment of the divine assistance, that neither Esau, nor any other man, should have power to hurt him. It was also spiritual, as appeareth by his earnest prayer, urging, and at last obtaining the angel’s blessing. (Challoner) — The father will not refuse a good gift to those who ask him with fervour and humility. Jacob had before set us an excellent pattern how to pray, placing his confidence in God, and distrusting himself, ver. 9, &c. (Haydock) — It is not certain, whether Jacob remained alone on the northern or on the southern banks of Jaboc. (Calmet)

 

[Eucharisted]

I think the wrestling is meant to be taken four ways:

• Jacob wrestled with an angel, just as we wrestle with angels in spiritual warfare
• The wrestling with God means persistance in prayer, much like how Moses interceded for Israel on numerous times
• The wrestling with God shows the relationship between God and Israel: a great wrestling, a cycle of sin and repentance
• The wrestling with God points to Jesus Christ, who would in Himself reverse the outcome in one sense (God winning man) and fullfill the outcome in another sense (God showing He is Love, making Himself won over for man’s sake)

 

[excaliber]

D-R Bible, Haydock Commentary:

Ver. 24. A man, &c. This was an angel in human shape, as we learn from Osee xii. 4. He is called God, ver. 28 and 30, because he represented the person of the Son of God. This wrestling, in which Jacob, assisted by God, was a match for an angel, was so ordered, (Ver. 28.) that he might learn by this experiment of the divine assistance, that neither Esau, nor any other man, should have power to hurt him. It was also spiritual, as appeareth by his earnest prayer, urging, and at last obtaining the angel’s blessing. (Challoner) — The father will not refuse a good gift to those who ask him with fervour and humility. Jacob had before set us an excellent pattern how to pray, placing his confidence in God, and distrusting himself, ver. 9, &c. (Haydock) — It is not certain, whether Jacob remained alone on the northern or on the southern banks of Jaboc. (Calmet)

the NIV bible coment says that it was God in the form of an angel.

So how dose one know which bible is correct?

It seems that Jacob thought he wrestled with God, because that is what he say’s happened. And that explains his name change to Isreal.

Also that explains why he was injured, to show him that God dose have the power to stop him.

Why would an angel injure him?
God would do so to humble him, so he could not say that he wrestled with God and came away untouched.

 

[JJ59]

I’m not sure what the Church’s position is on the “Angel of the LORD” (Angel of Yahweh), but I’ve always seen that the angel is Christ, before the incarnation. (If you’ll notice, there isn’t any mention of this fellow after the incarnation in the NT.)

“The Angel of the LORD” is a pretty common OT character. What is mystifying is that he constantly speaks as God. In some passages, he’s shown to also talk TO God. (Squares up nicely with the Trinity.)

So back to your question: In my opinion, Jacob wrestled with God, in the form of the Angel of the LORD, who was really Christ.

 

[jkiernan56]

Great question … I was just thinking about this on the way into work this morning …

My current understanding of “wrestling the angel of the Lord” is all about CONSCIENCE. The passage is allegorical for how Jacob wrestled with the Lord in his conscience … that inner most place where each person meets God and hears his voice … that place we find ourselves wrestling in our conscience with God … that secret innermost place each of us have … “You created my innermost self and knit me together in my mother’s womb” Psalm 139 … this place is completely known wholly and to God alone …

Here is a link to Conscience that I will be reading today … to try to prepare myself for the Sacrament of Reconciliation …

newadvent.org/cathen/04268a.htm

I will be asking myself the question - “where in my life am I wresting with God in my conscience?”

 

[Robbinson]

I’m not sure what the Church’s position is on the “Angel of the LORD” (Angel of Yahweh), but I’ve always seen that the angel is Christ, before the incarnation. (If you’ll notice, there isn’t any mention of this fellow after the incarnation in the NT.)

“The Angel of the LORD” is a pretty common OT character. What is mystifying is that he constantly speaks as God. In some passages, he’s shown to also talk TO God. (Squares up nicely with the Trinity.)

So back to your question: In my opinion, Jacob wrestled with God, in the form of the Angel of the LORD, who was really Christ.

I agree. There are several instances in scripture where God appears in the form of a man. To Abraham on the way to Soddom/Gemorrah in Genesis; the wrestling with Jacob (referred to as an angel -but then also as God). Also, if you look at the burning bush episode in Genesis - the angel of the Lord called out, but then it was “God”.

I do believe this is God in the form of angel/man. Simillarly, in Daniel, the mysterious figure that appears in the furnace.

Blessings,

Brian

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Another interesting passage is Joshua 5:13-15

13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood before him with his drawn sword in his hand; and Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” 14 And he said, “No; but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and worshipped, and said to him, “What does my lord bid his servant?” 15 And the commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, “Put off your shoes from your feet; for the place where you stand is holy.” And Joshua did so.

It just sort of sits there isolated from the main narrative. It appears that it happened; so they felt obliged to record it. However, no one seems to know what is its import.