Charles Ellicott Commentary Hosea 12:3-4

"In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he had power with God: yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him at Beth-el, and there he spake with us," — Hosea 12:3-4 (ASV)

Had power.— Should be, strove. Prayers and tears were the weapons used in the memorable struggle for pardon, reconciliation, and peace in the self-conquest as well as the God-conquest which was achieved. At Bethel He (Jehovah) found him (Jacob) not only once, but on repeated occasions (Genesis 28:11; Genesis 35:1), and in the subsequent history of the children of Israel.