Chapter 32

32:1  And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.

angel

(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4") .

32:2  And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Mahanaim

i.e. two hosts, or bands -- the visible band, Jacob and his servants; the invisible band, God's angels. Cf. 2 Kings 6:13-17 .

32:3  And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.

Edom

i.e. Esau's country. Genesis 25:30 . (See Scofield "Genesis 36:1") .

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

and there wrestled

Jacob's crisis. Cf. Joshua 5:13-15 ; Job 42:5 Job 42:6 ; Isaiah 6:1-8 ; Jeremiah 1:4-9 ; Ezekiel 1:28 ; 2:1-7 ; Daniel 10:1-12 ; Acts 9:1-6 ; Revelation 1:13-18 .

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.

shall be no more called Jacob

Both names are applied to the nation descended from Jacob. When used characteristically "Jacob" is the name for the natural posterity of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; "Israel" for the spiritual part of the nation. See Isaiah 9:8 . The "word" was sent to all the people, "Jacob," but it "lighted upon Israel," i.e. was comprehended by the spiritual part of the people. See "Israel" Genesis 12:2 Genesis 12:3 .

(See Scofield "Romans 11:26") .