God’s renaming of Jacob to Israel shows that with divine calling comes divine transformation.
God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; You shall no longer be called Jacob, But Israel shall be your name.” Thus He called him Israel (v.10). This declaration occurs shortly after Jacob’s return to Bethel, a place located in the mountainous regions north of Jerusalem. Bethel held significant spiritual importance, as it was where God had revealed Himself to Jacob during his time of distress many years before (Genesis 28:10-19). Here, God reaffirms Jacob’s transformation by renaming him “Israel,” underscoring a new identity and divine purpose. Traditionally, Jacob is placed in the timeline of the early second millennium BC (roughly 1900-1800 BC). His life was closely intertwined with the heritage of Abraham and Isaac, and God’s renaming indicates a pivotal shift in the unfolding story of the Israelite people.
By changing “Jacob” to “Israel,” God declares a fresh start for Jacob’s life. In earlier chapters, Jacob’s name meant “heel-grabber” or “supplanter,” capturing his contentious, grasping behavior (Genesis 25:26; 27:36). Now, the Lord bestows upon him a name that symbolizes one who “strives with God” or “God strives,” clarifying that Jacob’s destiny is inseparable from a deep relationship with the Lord. Similarly, in the New Testament, Jesus renames Simon to Peter, marking a shift in Simon’s identity and role among the disciples (John 1:42). In both accounts, a renewed calling is closely knit with an obedient response to God’s voice.
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Genesis 35:10 meaning
God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; You shall no longer be called Jacob, But Israel shall be your name.” Thus He called him Israel (v.10). This declaration occurs shortly after Jacob’s return to Bethel, a place located in the mountainous regions north of Jerusalem. Bethel held significant spiritual importance, as it was where God had revealed Himself to Jacob during his time of distress many years before (Genesis 28:10-19). Here, God reaffirms Jacob’s transformation by renaming him “Israel,” underscoring a new identity and divine purpose. Traditionally, Jacob is placed in the timeline of the early second millennium BC (roughly 1900-1800 BC). His life was closely intertwined with the heritage of Abraham and Isaac, and God’s renaming indicates a pivotal shift in the unfolding story of the Israelite people.
By changing “Jacob” to “Israel,” God declares a fresh start for Jacob’s life. In earlier chapters, Jacob’s name meant “heel-grabber” or “supplanter,” capturing his contentious, grasping behavior (Genesis 25:26; 27:36). Now, the Lord bestows upon him a name that symbolizes one who “strives with God” or “God strives,” clarifying that Jacob’s destiny is inseparable from a deep relationship with the Lord. Similarly, in the New Testament, Jesus renames Simon to Peter, marking a shift in Simon’s identity and role among the disciples (John 1:42). In both accounts, a renewed calling is closely knit with an obedient response to God’s voice.