Genesis 32:27
Genesis 32:27 in Multiple Translations
“What is your name?” the man asked. “Jacob,” he replied.
And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
Then he said, What is your name? And he said, Jacob.
“What's your name?” the man asked. “Jacob,” he replied.
Then said he vnto him, What is thy name? And he said, Iaakob.
And he saith unto him, 'What [is] thy name?' and he saith, 'Jacob.'
He said to him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob”.
And he said to him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
And he said: What is thy name? He answered: Jacob.
The man said to him, “What is your name?” He replied, “Jacob.”
The man said, “What is your name?” And Jacob said, “My name is Jacob.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 32:27
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 32:27 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
שַׁלְּחֵ֔/נִי
כִּ֥י
עָלָ֖ה
הַ/שָּׁ֑חַר
וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר֙
לֹ֣א
אֲשַֽׁלֵּחֲ/ךָ֔
כִּ֖י
אִם
בֵּרַכְתָּֽ/נִי
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
שַׁלְּחֵ֔/נִי
shâlach
H7971
to send
V-Piel-Impv-2ms | Suff
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
עָלָ֖ה
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
הַ/שָּׁ֑חַר
shachar
H7837
dawn
Art | N-ms
וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר֙
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
אֲשַֽׁלֵּחֲ/ךָ֔
shâlach
H7971
to send
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs | Suff
כִּ֖י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
בֵּרַכְתָּֽ/נִי
bârak
H1288
to bless
V-Piel-Perf-2ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 32:27
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
שַׁלְּחֵ֔/נִי
shâlach
H7971
"to send"
V-Piel-Impv-2ms | Suff
To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.
Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send
Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
עָלָ֖ה
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
הַ/שָּׁ֑חַר
shachar
H7837
"dawn"
Art | N-ms
Dawn, or the beginning of a new day, is described in the Bible as a time of new light and hope. It first appears in Genesis 1:5, describing the first day of creation. This concept is also used figuratively to describe a new beginning.
Definition: 1) dawn 1a) dawn 1b) at dawn (as adverb)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: day(-spring), early, light, morning, whence riseth. See also: Genesis 19:15; Psalms 108:3; Psalms 22:1.
וַ/יֹּ֨אמֶר֙
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
אֲשַֽׁלֵּחֲ/ךָ֔
shâlach
H7971
"to send"
V-Piel-Imperf-1cs | Suff
To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.
Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send
Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.
כִּ֖י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
בֵּרַכְתָּֽ/נִי
bârak
H1288
"to bless"
V-Piel-Perf-2ms | Suff
To bless means to praise or honor God, often by kneeling in worship. In the Bible, people bless God and God blesses people, showing favor and care for them, as seen in the story of Abraham and his descendants.
Definition: 1) to bless, kneel 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to kneel 1a2) to bless 1b) (Niphal) to be blessed, bless oneself 1c) (Piel) to bless 1d) (Pual) to be blessed, be adored 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to kneel 1f) (Hithpael) to bless oneself 2) (TWOT) to praise, salute, curse Aramaic equivalent: be.rakh (בְּרַךְ "to bless" H1289)
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abundantly, [idiom] altogether, [idiom] at all, blaspheme, bless, congratulate, curse, [idiom] greatly, [idiom] indeed, kneel (down), praise, salute, [idiom] still, thank. See also: Genesis 1:22; Deuteronomy 24:19; Job 2:9.
Study Notes — Genesis 32:27
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Jacob Wrestles with God
25When the man saw that he could not overpower Jacob, he struck the socket of Jacob’s hip and dislocated it as they wrestled.
26Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
27“What is your name?” the man asked. “Jacob,” he replied.
28Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed.” 29And Jacob requested, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed Jacob there.Genesis 32:27 Summary
In Genesis 32:27, the man asks Jacob for his name, which represents Jacob's identity and character. This question is significant because it shows that the man, who is later revealed to be God, wants to understand Jacob's heart and nature. As we reflect on this verse, we can see that our names and identities are important to God, and He desires to transform us and give us new names, just as He did with Jacob (Genesis 32:28). This reminds us that our identities are not defined by our past or our weaknesses, but by our relationship with God and our willingness to surrender to Him (Romans 8:14).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the man ask Jacob for his name in Genesis 32:27?
The man asked Jacob for his name to understand the nature and character of the one he was wrestling with, as names in biblical times often carried significant meaning, as seen in Genesis 25:26 where Jacob's name meant 'he grasps the heel' or 'he deceives'
What is the significance of names in the Bible?
In the Bible, names often signify a person's character, purpose, or destiny, as seen in Genesis 17:5 where Abram's name was changed to Abraham, symbolizing his new role as the father of many nations
How does this verse relate to the larger story of Jacob's life?
This verse is a pivotal moment in Jacob's life, as it marks a turning point in his journey with God, and is closely tied to his transformation and newfound identity, as expressed in Genesis 32:28 where his name is changed to Israel
What can we learn from Jacob's willingness to share his name with the man?
Jacob's willingness to share his name demonstrates his vulnerability and openness with God, as seen in Psalm 51:17 where a broken and contrite heart is described as a sacrifice to God
Reflection Questions
- What does my name represent to God, and how does it reflect my character and purpose?
- In what ways am I struggling with God, and how can I surrender to His will, just as Jacob did in Genesis 32:26?
- How has God been working in my life to transform me and give me a new identity, as He did with Jacob in Genesis 32:28?
- What are some areas where I need to be more transparent and honest with God, just as Jacob was when he shared his name?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 32:27
And he said unto him, what [is] thy name?.... Which question is put, not as being ignorant of it, but in order to take occasion from it, and the change of it, to show that he had granted his request,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 32:27
And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. There wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day - an unknown person appeared suddenly to oppose his entrance into Canaan.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 32:27
Genesis 32:27 And he said unto him, What [is] thy name? And he said, Jacob.Ver. 27. What is thy name?] As if the angel should say, Thou art such a fellow as I never met withal. Titles of honour are not worthy of thee. Kneel thou down "Jacob," rise up "ISRAEL": Thou art a conqueror, if ever any were. Factus et teipso fortior, et Creatore tuo superior. O quam hic honos non est omnium! Bucholc.
Cambridge Bible on Genesis 32:27
27. What is thy name?] This question, concerning the name which the Questioner knows, leads up to the solemn pronunciation of Jacob’s new title.
Whedon's Commentary on Genesis 32:27
27. What is thy name — This question was the introduction of the answer to Jacob’s petition for a blessing.