Old Testament Audio Blog

Jacob to Israel (Gen. 32.23-33)

Today's lectionary reading is one of the most enigmatic in the entire Hebrew Bible. It is the story in which the patriarch's name is changed from Jacob to Israel. There are all sorts of questions that remain after reading the passage. Who is the man with whom Jacob wrestles? How should the name Israel be translated? How does one punctuate the explanation of Jacob's name change? What was the original purpose of the story? Read More...