Structure
Biblical Text
Historical Context
Genre
Structure
The Jacob Stories
Commentary
Interpretations
Reflections
Genesis 32:22-32 [23-33] may be arranged as follows:
| 32:22-23 [23-24] |
crossing the Jabbok |
| 32:24-25 [25-26] |
the fight |
| 32:26-29 [27-30] |
dialogue |
|
|
26 [27] demands for release and blessing |
|
|
27-28 [28-29] Jacob is renamed |
|
|
29 [30] request for name and blessing given |
| 32:30 [31] |
naming of Peniel |
| 32:31 [32] |
resuming the journey |
32:32 [33] |
explanation of a dietary restriction |
From this outline we can see that the central focus of the narrative is more on the dialogue about naming, identification, releasing and blessing, than it is on the wrestling match itself. The centre of the tale is the somewhat symmetrical conversation (see Fokkelman, 50-52). The conversation forms a pattern of concealing and revealing, centred around the renaming of Jacob as Israel. Identity seems to be a key concern of the narrative.