And Jacob is left alone, and one wrestleth with him till the ascending of the dawn;Genesis 32:24 Additional Translations
Clarke's Commentary on the BibleAnd there wrestled a man with him - This was doubtless the Lord Jesus Christ, who, among the patriarchs, assumed that human form, which in the fullness of time he really took of a woman, and in which he dwelt thirty-three years among men. He is here styled an angel, because he was μεγαλης βουλης Αγγελος, (see the Septuagint, Isaiah 9:7), the Messenger of the great counsel or design to redeem fallen man from death, and bring him to eternal glory; see Genesis 16:7.
But it may be asked, Had he here a real human body, or only its form? The latter, doubtless. How then could he wrestle with Jacob? It need not be supposed that this angel must have assumed a human body, or something analogous to it, in order to render himself tangible by Jacob; for as the soul operates on the body by the order of God, so could an angel operate on the body of Jacob during a whole night, and produce in his imagination, by the effect of his power, every requisite idea of corporeity, and in his nerves every sensation of substance, and yet no substantiality be in the case.
If angels, in appearing to men, borrow human bodies, as is thought, how can it be supposed that with such gross substances they can disappear in a moment? Certainly they do not take these bodies into the invisible world with them, and the established laws of matter and motion require a gradual disappearing, however swiftly it may be effected. But this is not allowed to be the case, and yet they are reported to vanish instantaneously. Then they must render themselves invisible by a cloud, and this must be of a very dense nature in order to hide a human body. But this very expedient would make their departure still more evident, as the cloud must be more dense and apparent than the body in order to hide it. This does not remove the difficulty. But if they assume a quantity of air or vapor so condensed as to become visible, and modified into the appearance of a human body, they can in a moment dilate and rarefy it, and so disappear; for when the vehicle is rarefied beyond the power of natural vision, as their own substance is invisible they can instantly vanish.
From Hosea 12:4, we may learn that the wrestling of Jacob, mentioned in this place, was not merely a corporeal exercise, but also a spiritual one; He wept and made supplication unto him. See Clarke on Hosea 12:4 (note).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
wrestled.
Genesis 30:8 And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.
Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say to you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Romans 8:26,27 Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought...
Romans 15:30 Now I beseech you, brothers, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit...
Ephesians 6:12,18 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers...
Colossians 2:1 For I would that you knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea...
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salutes you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers...
Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh...
man.
Genesis 32:28,30 And he said, Your name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince have you power with God and with men...
Genesis 48:16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them...
Isaiah 32:2 And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place...
Hosea 12:3-5 He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God...
1 Corinthians 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven.
breaking of the day. Heb. ascending of the morning.
Exodus 14:27 And Moses stretched forth his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to his strength when the morning appeared...
Songs 2:17 Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, turn, my beloved, and be you like a roe or a young hart on the mountains of Bether.
Genesis 32:24 Parallel Commentaries
Alone Ascending Breaking Dawn Daybreak Fighting Jacob Rising WrestledAlone Ascending Breaking Dawn Daybreak Fighting Jacob Rising WrestledTHE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.Genesis 32:24 Mobile Bible
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