Jacob Wrestles at Peniel

During the night, Jacob rose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons to cross the ford of the Jabbok. After he sent his family and all his possessions across the stream, Jacob remained alone. A man then wrestled with Jacob until the breaking of the day (Genesis 32:22-24). When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh, and the hollow of the thigh was put out of joint as they wrestled. The man requested to be let go because the day was breaking, but Jacob refused to release him unless the man blessed him (Genesis 32:25-26).

The man asked Jacob for his name, and upon hearing it, declared that Jacob would no longer be called Jacob, but Israel. The man stated this change was because Jacob had striven with God and with men and had prevailed. Jacob then asked the man for his name, but the man asked why Jacob inquired about it; the text does not say the man provided a name (Genesis 32:27-29). The man then blessed Jacob there.

Jacob named the location Peniel, stating he had seen God face to face and his life was preserved. As he passed over Penuel, the sun rose upon him, and he limped because of his thigh. The text does not say how long the physical injury lasted, but it notes that the children of Israel do not eat the sinew of the hip which is upon the hollow of the thigh because the man touched that spot on Jacob (Genesis 32:30-32).