Matthew Henry Commentary Genesis 32:24-32

"And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob`s thigh was strained, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for thou hast striven with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for, [said he], I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. And the sun rose upon him as he passed over Penuel, and he limped upon his thigh. Therefore the children of Israel eat not the sinew of the hip which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob`s thigh in the sinew of the hip." — Genesis 32:24-32 (ASV)

Long before daybreak, Jacob, being alone, more fully spread his fears before God in prayer. While doing so, One in the form of a man wrestled with him. When the Spirit helps our infirmities, and our earnest and vast desires can hardly find words to express them, and we still mean more than we can express, then prayer is indeed wrestling with God. However tried or discouraged, we will prevail; and prevailing with Him in prayer, we will prevail against all enemies that strive with us.

Nothing requires more vigour and unceasing exertion than wrestling. It is an emblem of the true spirit of faith and prayer. Jacob kept his ground; though the struggle continued long, this did not shake his faith, nor silence his prayer. He will have a blessing, and would rather have all his bones put out of joint than go away without one.

Those who want Christ's blessing must resolve to take no denial. The fervent prayer is the effectual prayer. The Angel puts a lasting mark of honour upon him, by changing his name. Jacob signifies a supplanter. From now on he will be celebrated, not for craft and artful management, but for true valour.

Thou shalt be called Israel, a prince with God, a name greater than those of the great men of the earth. He is indeed a prince who is a prince with God; those are truly honourable who are mighty in prayer. Having power with God, he will have power with men too; he will prevail, and gain Esau's favour. Jacob gives a new name to the place.

He calls it Peniel, the face of God, because there he had seen the appearance of God and obtained God's favour. It is fitting for those whom God honours to admire His grace toward them. The Angel who wrestled with Jacob was the second Person in the sacred Trinity, who was afterwards God manifest in the flesh, and who, dwelling in human nature, is called Immanuel (Hosea 12:4–5). Jacob limped on his thigh.

It might serve to keep him from being lifted up with the abundance of the revelations. The sun rose on Jacob: it is sunrise for that soul which has had communion with God.