Finally Jacob was left by himself. Then a man began to grapple with him until the dawn ascended. When he got to see that he had not prevailed over him, then he touched the socket of his thigh joint; and the socket of Jacob’s thigh joint got out of place during his grappling with him. After that he said: ‘Let me go, for the dawn has ascended.’ To this he said: ‘I am not going to let you go until you first bless me.’ So he said to him: ‘What is your name?’ to which he said: ‘Jacob.’ Then he said: ‘Your name will no longer be called Jacob but Israel, for you have contended with God and with men so that you at last prevailed.’

Gen. 32:22-31.

20. Why did Jacob grapple with the angel all night?

²⁰ Here is revealed the great difference in the attitudes of Jacob and Esau as to the inheritance. Whereas Esau would not suffer even a little hunger for the birthright, Jacob wrestled all night with an angel of God who had materialized as a man. This Jacob did in order to get a word of blessing from Jehovah through the angel. Doubtless Jacob knew that the angel appeared for a purpose, and he was aware that in past appearances of angels they had brought a blessing or a command in confirmation of the Abrahamic covenant. (Gen. 28:10-15; 31:11-13) He therefore was so desirous of God’s continuing with him, just as God had been with his father and grandfather, that he exerted himself in vigorous, exhausting wrestling with the angel, holding onto him. Jacob thereby demonstrated his great heart desire for God’s favor.​—Compare Genesis 28:20-22.

21. What was the angel’s reason for throwing Jacob’s thigh joint out of place?

²¹ Of course, Jacob did not actually overcome or overpower the angel of God. The incident served as a test of Jacob’s desire with all his heart to be found pleasing to God. Actually, with just one touch the angel, with superhuman power, caused Jacob’s thigh joint to be thrown out of place so that he limped thereafter. This served as a humbling factor, a protection to Jacob. It was a reminder to teach Jacob that it was through God’s undeserved kindness, and not through any strength or merit on Jacob’s part, that God had blessed and used him.