Biblical Parallels Index – Bereshit 32/0

Biblical Parallels Index – Bereshit 32

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Name Changes

Tools

• Makbilot Bamikra points out that Yaakov’s name change is one of many in Tanakh.  However, Avraham and Yaakov are the only two people whose names are changed by Hashem, perhaps pointing to some deeper connection between the two figures. 

Articles

• See Avraham and Yaakov for an exploration of this and other parallels between these two figures.
• In his article, The Parallel Between Yaakov and Avraham, Professor Yonatan Grossman notes how Yaakov, like Avraham, (but unlike Yitzchak) is tasked with creating the nation and not just continuing the line. Perhaps the Divine name change relates to this role.

Yaakov's Double Name Change

The text speaks of Yaakov's change of name twice, once when his name is changed by the "man" (perhaps, angel) in Bereshit 32:29 and once when it is changed by Hashem directly in Bereshit 35:10.

Tools

• Tanakh Lab – Compare the two episodes in the Tanakh Lab, here.

Articles See Vayishlach: From Yaakov to Yisrael by R. Menachem Leibtag for an exploration of how these two narratives describing Yaakov’s name change interact with each other and why it was necessary for Yaakov to receive a name change twice.