Meaning, commentary and cross references
Genesis 32:28
“Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
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.
NIV · New International Version
Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
WEB · World English Bible
He said, “Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
What does Genesis 32:28 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Genesis 32:28
And he said, thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel,.... That is, not Jacob only, but Israel also, as Ben Melech interprets it, or the one as well as the other; or the one rather and more frequently than the other: for certain it is, that he is often after this called Jacob, and his posterity also the seed of Jacob, though more commonly Israel, and Israelites: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed: this is given as a reason of his name Israel, which signifies a prince of God, or one who as a prince prevails with God; which confutes all other etymologies of the name, as the upright one of God, the man that sees God, or any other: he now…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Genesis 32:28
Thy name shall be called no more Jacob. Jacob, as we have seen, received his name from his mother's womb, because he had seized the heel of his brother's foot, and had attempted to hold him back. God now gives him a new and more honorable name; not that he may entirely abolish the other, which was a token of memorable grace, but that he may testify a still higher progress of his grace. Therefore, of the two names the second is preferred to the former, as being more honorable.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Genesis 32:25–31 (WEB)
25When he saw that he didn’t prevail against him, the man touched the hollow of his thigh, and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was strained as he wrestled. 26The man said, “Let me go, for the day breaks.” Jacob said, “I won’t let you go unless you bless me.” 27He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob”. 28He said, “Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have fought with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” He said, “Why is it that you ask what my name is?” So he blessed him there. 30Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; for he said, “I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” 31The sun rose on him as he passed over Peniel, and he limped because of his thigh.
Cross references
- Revelation 2:17
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes, to him I will give of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows but he who receives it.
- Genesis 35:10
God said to him, “Your name is Jacob. Your name shall not be Jacob any more, but your name will be Israel.” He named him Israel.
- Isaiah 62:2–4
The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You will be called by a new name, which the LORD’s mouth will name.
- Hosea 12:3–5
In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he contended with God.
- Genesis 27:33–36
Isaac trembled violently, and said, “Who, then, is he who has taken venison, and brought it to me, and I have eaten of all before you came, and have blessed him? Yes, he will be blessed.”
- Genesis 17:5
Your name will no more be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham; for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.
- Genesis 17:15
God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but her name shall be Sarah.
- Genesis 25:31
Jacob said, “First, sell me your birthright.”