Jacob's battle with the Angel-part 2

Many scholars believe that Jacob wrestled with the Angel of God. It is possible that this is the son of God, who interacted with man in the form of an angel.

According to the Sages, the Angel is the "angel of Esau," and their struggle, which "raised dust up to the Supernal Throne," is the cosmic struggle between two nations and two world: the spirituality of Israel and the materiality of Edom.

In an ancient tradition, Jacob was left alone and wrestled with a man all night until the break of day, when the man said he must leave. Even though his leg was dislocated, Jacob refused to let his opponent go unless he blessed Jacob. That the man was a god is amply demonstrated - Jacob asked for his blessing, and he had the prerogative of changing Jacob's name. The new name he gave Jacob was Israel and Jacob called the place Peniel ('the face of God') because he had seen God face to face.

Claus Westermann, like other modern scholars, claims that Jacob's adversary fits the profile of an evil spirit or demon. The man attacks suddenly and surprisingly, refuses to identify himself and must escape before he can been seen in the light.

Main phrases of the post + transcription + translation

Hebrew   Transcription   Translation
הַפְתָּעָה     Haptā'āh        Surprise
רוּחַ רָעָה    Rûah rā'āh     Evil spirit
פָּנִים         pānîm            Face(s)
יִשְׂרָאֵל       Yiśrā'ēl          Israel
אֱדוֹם         'ĕdôm            Edom

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