The language of ivrit ( עברית ) Genesis 32, Post #5
Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.
Genesis 32:20-25
There was only this line animals and servants moving ahead to meet Esau in the movie portrayal of this story. In the Tanakh, however, there were droves of gifts sent ahead to meet Jacob's brother. Our text describes how each drove is to say that Jacob is coming up right behind them. After so many waves of presents, he hopes to be accepted (not killed) by his brother.
It says he had sent the rest that night and he stayed alone. But somehow, " a man wrestled with him until daybreak. " How is that possible? He had been alone after everyone had left. Many believe this " man " was a pre-incarnate appearance of the Mashiach Yeshua. Christians call these events Christophanies or Christ-manifestations. The reason is that just up ahead, we will see a quote from this same Christophany saying, "you have wrestled with God and prevailed."
Elsewhere in the writings we see that no man can look upon God and live, including Mosheh (Moses) who was only allowed to see the trail of God's glory passing by as he hid in the rocks. So the assumption is made that there is no way for a man to wrestle with God, unless it be the Son of Man who appeared many times, including that time when Abraham gave him a tenth of everything he had much earlier in Genesis. A deep topic this is, which is worth writing about and also worth further study.
Today's reading
English
He likewise instructed the second and the third and all who followed the droves, "You shall say the same thing to Esau when you find him, and you shall say, 'Moreover, your servant Jacob is behind us.' " For he thought, "I may appease him' with the present that goes ahead of me, and afterward I shall see his face. Perhaps he will accept me." So the present passed on ahead of him, and he himself stayed that night in the camp.
Jacob Wrestles with God
The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.
Hebrew
The story continues next week as Israel is born...
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