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Genesis 32:24 — Word Study

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WLCוַיִּוָּתֵ֥ר יַעֲקֹ֖ב לְבַדּ֑וֹ וַיֵּאָבֵ֥ק אִישׁ֙ עִמּ֔וֹ עַ֖ד עֲל֥וֹת הַשָּֽׁחַר׃

BSAto takelâqach to passʻâbar Obj.ʼêth Brooknachal to passʻâbar Obj.ʼêth whichʼăsher

Word
Listen & take awayGenesis 32
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 24 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (ha.Sha.char) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Genesis 32:24quick helps
In a sentenceJacob is left alone, and there he wrestles with a mysterious man until dawn.
Who is speakingThe narrator describes Jacob's experience during a pivotal moment.
Where we areThis scene occurs during Jacob's journey back to his homeland, just before he encounters Esau.
The hard wordוַיֵּאָבֵ֥ק
Take awayJacob's struggle is both physical and spiritual, marking a significant transformation.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause subjectהוּא verbלָקַח The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Genesis 32:24

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — Jacob Wrestles with Godgenerated

23He took them and sent them across the stream, along with all his possessions.
24So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
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.”

Genesis 32:24 describes a crucial moment in Jacob's life where he is left alone and engages in a wrestling match with a man until dawn. This encounter is significant as it precedes his reunion with his brother Esau and symbolizes Jacob's struggles and transformation. The passage illustrates themes of isolation, struggle, and divine encounter, highlighting Jacob's pivotal moment of change.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Genesis 30:8Then Rachel said, “In my great struggles, I have wrestled with my sister and won.” So she named him Naphtali.
2Luke 13:24“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.
3Luke 22:44And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.
4Romans 8:26–27In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.
5Romans 15:30Now I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

The Key Word וַיִּוָּתֵ֥ר, vai.yi.va.Tergenerated

The verb יָתַר (yathar) means 'to remain' or 'to be left over.' It conveys the idea of being isolated or set apart, which is fitting as Jacob finds himself alone in this moment.

In this verse, Jacob is the subject who remains alone, setting the stage for the intense struggle that follows. The Niphal form indicates that he is the recipient of the action, emphasizing his solitude.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

In the Berean Standard Bible, the phrase is rendered as 'Jacob was left all alone,' which is consistent across the KJV, ASV, YLT, WEB, and BBE.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The main verb is וַיִּוָּתֵ֥ר (and he remained), which governs the entire sentence. It is followed by the subject יַעֲקֹ֖ב (Jacob), indicating who is left alone.

The structure emphasizes Jacob's isolation before introducing the action of wrestling, highlighting the significance of his solitude in the narrative.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates the verb וַיִּוָּתֵ֥ר as ἔλαβεν (he took), which suggests a different nuance, focusing on the act of being taken or received rather than merely remaining.

This choice may reflect an interpretive angle, emphasizing Jacob's transition from a state of being left alone to one of engagement in a profound struggle.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Genesis 32:24 tells us that Jacob was left all alone and wrestled with a man until dawn. This passage highlights Jacob's struggle and transformation as he prepares to meet his brother Esau.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean that Jacob was left alone?

Jacob's solitude emphasizes his personal struggle and the significance of his encounter with the divine.

Who was the man Jacob wrestled with?

The identity of the man is often interpreted as a divine being or an angel, representing a spiritual struggle.

What is the significance of wrestling until dawn?

The struggle until dawn symbolizes a turning point in Jacob's life, marking a transformation and preparation for his future.

How does this passage relate to Jacob's later life?

This encounter signifies a pivotal moment leading to Jacob's reconciliation with Esau and his eventual name change to Israel.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. What personal struggles have I faced that required me to wrestle with my faith?
  2. In what ways can solitude lead to deeper encounters with God?
  3. How do I respond to challenges that seem insurmountable, like Jacob did?
  4. What transformations have I experienced in my own life through struggles?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Ambrose of Milan reflects on Jacob's encounter, highlighting the purification of his heart and the significance of his struggle with God.

Ambrose of MilanOn Jacob and the Blessed Life c. 339–397
Therefore Jacob, who had purified his heart of all pretenses and was manifesting a peaceable disposition, first cast off all that was his, then remained behind alone and wrestled with God.
Early Church Fathers on Genesis 32 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Genesis 32:24 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And Jacob was left alone,.... On the other side of Jabbok, his family and cattle having passed over it; and this solitude he chose, in order to spend some time in prayer to God for the safety of him

Read John Gill on Genesis 32 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

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.

Read Robert Jamieson on Genesis 32 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

In some private place, it matters not on which side Jabbok, that he might more freely and ardently pour out his soul unto God. There wrestled a man with him, an angel, yea, the Angel of the covenant, the Son of God, as it is plain from ,30 Hosea 12:3,4, who did here, as oft elsewhere, assume the shape and body of a man, that he might do this work; for this wrestling was real and corporeal in its nature, though it was also mystical and spiritual in its signfification, as we shall see, and it was accompanied with an inward wrestling by ardent prayers joined with tears, .

Read Matthew Poole on Genesis 32 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Genesis 32:24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.Ver. 24. And Jacob was left alone.] Purposely, for secret prayer: so the Church gets her into "the clefts of the rocks"; Isaac, into the fields; Daniel, to the river’ s side; Christ, into the mount; Peter, up to the roof, or house top; that they might pour out their prayers and solace themselves with God in secret. This a hypocrite may seem to do, either of custom or vain glory: as the Pharisee went up to the temple to pray solitarily, as well as the publican; the temple being then, in regard of ceremonial holiness, the place as well of private as public prayer. "But will the hypocrite…

Read John Trapp on Genesis 32 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(24) There wrestled.—This verb, abak, occurs only here, and without doubt it was chosen because of its resemblance to the name Jabbok. Its probable derivation is from a word signifying dust, because wrestlers were quickly involved in a cloud of dust, or because, as was the custom in Greece, they rubbed their bodies with it. A man.—Such he seemed to be to Jacob; but Hosea (Genesis 12:4) calls him an angel; and, in Genesis 32:30, Jacob recognises in him a manifestation of the Deity, as Hagar had done before, when an angel appeared to her (Genesis 16:13). There is no warrant for regarding the angel as an incarnation of Deity, any more than in the case of Manoah (Judges 13:22); but it was a…

Read Charles John Ellicott on Genesis 32 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 24. And there wrestled a man with him] This was doubtless the Lord Jesus Christ, who, among the patriarchs, assumed that human form, which in the fulness of time he really took of a woman, and in which he dwelt thirty-three years among men. He is here styled an angel, because he was μεγαληςβουληςΑγγελος, (see the Septuagint, Isaiah 9:7,) the Messenger of the great counsel or design to redeem fallen man from death, and bring him to eternal glory; see Genesis 16:7. But it may be asked, Had he here a real human body, or only its form? The latter, doubtless. How then could he wrestle with Jacob? It need not be supposed that this angel must have assumed a human body, or something analagous…

Read AdamClarke on Genesis 32 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

24. And Jacob … alone] It is natural to suppose that Jacob remained behind to think and to pray at this crisis of his life. He was given over to anxious fears; the darkness and loneliness intensified them. The thought that God had left him, or was opposed to him, overwhelmed him. there wrestled a man] The brevity of the account leaves it unexplained, who the man is, how he appeared, and how the contest began. The word for “wrestled,” yêâbêk, is very possibly intended to be a play on the name of the river Jabbok as if it meant “twisting.” In Genesis 32:28, and in Hosea 12:4, a different word, “to strive,” is used for the “wrestling” of Jacob. It is this scene of “wrestling” which has become…

Read Cambridge on Genesis 32 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

24. Left alone — He doubtless sought to be alone with God that night, and called up the memories of all his past life. All the deception and wrong that had stained his record pressed sorely on his awakened conscience.

Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Genesis 32 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

Jacob was left alone, and wrestled with a man there until the breaking of the day.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak.

NETBNew English Translation2006

So Jacob was left alone. Then a man wrestled with him until daybreak.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

¶ And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

RVARevised Version, American1894

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him, until the breaking of the day.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

Now when Iaakob was left him selfe alone, there wrestled a man with him vnto the breaking of the day.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

And Jacob remained alone; and a man wrestled with him until the rising of the dawn.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

And Jacob is left alone, and one wrestleth with him till the ascending of the dawn;

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

And Jacob is left alone, and One wrestles with him until the ascending of the dawn;

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

He remained alone: and behold a man wrestled with him till morning.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

But Jacob stayed there alone. A man came and wrestled with him until dawn.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

Then Jacob was by himself; and a man was fighting with him till dawn.

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

וַandclauseverbיִּוָּתֵ֥רhe.remainedsubjectיַעֲקֹ֖בJacobprepositional phrase · prepositionalלְhenoun phraseבַדּ֑himselfוֹaloneוַandclauseverbיֵּאָבֵ֥קhe.wrestledsubjectאִישׁ֙a.manprepositional phrase · prepositionalעִמּ֔withוֹhimprepositional phrase · prepositionalעַ֖דuntilclauseverbעֲל֥וֹתcame.upnoun phrase · subjectהַtheשָּֽׁחַרdawn

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text states: וַיִּוָּתֵ֥ר יַעֲקֹ֖ב לְבַדּ֑וֹ וַיֵּאָבֵ֥ק אִישׁ֙ עִמּ֔וֹ עַ֖ד עֲל֥וֹת הַשָּֽׁחַר׃. The Septuagint matches 8 of the 9 words but presents them in a different order, while the Samaritan Pentateuch differs by one word, using כל (whole) instead of the Masoretic's construction.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

וַיִּוָּתֵ֥ר יַעֲקֹ֖ב לְבַדּ֑וֹ וַיֵּאָבֵ֥ק אִישׁ֙ עִמּ֔וֹ עַ֖ד עֲל֥וֹת הַשָּֽׁחַר׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
וַיִּוָּתֵ֥רἔλαβενיַעֲקֹ֖בαὐτοὺςלְבַדּ֑וֹδιέβηוַיֵּאָבֵ֥קτὸνאִישׁ֙ξειμάρρουνעִמּ֔וֹδιεβίβασενעֲל֥וֹתτὰהַשָּֽׁחַר׃αὐτοῦ

8 of the 9 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Samaritan Pentateuchthe Torah as the Samaritan community kept it

ויקחם ויעברם את הנחל ויעבר את כל אשׁר לו

1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: כל (whole)

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Genesis 32:24יָתַרand he remaand he remainedיָתַריַעֲקֹבJacobJacobיַעֲקֹבבַּדto only himto only himבַּדאָבַקand he wresand he wrestledאָבַקאִישׁa mana manאִישׁעִםwith himwith himעִםעַדuntiluntilעַדעָלָהcame upcame upעָלָהשַׁ֫חַרthe dawnthe dawnשַׁ֫חַרעָקַבto assailto assailעָקַבבָּדַדbe alonebe aloneבָּדַדאָבָקdustdustאָבָקעָמַםto darkento darkenעָמַםשָׁחַרto seekto seekשָׁחַראֱנוֹשׁhumanhumanאֱנוֹשׁאִשָּׁהwomanwomanאִשָּׁהעַדperpetuityperpetuityעַדקְהָתKohathKohathקְהָתבֹּ֫קֶרmorningmorningבֹּ֫קֶרלָבָןLabanLabanלָבָןיִצְחָקIsaacIsaacיִצְחָקתָּמִידcontinuallcontinuallyתָּמִידרֵעַneighborneighborרֵעַשָׁכַבto lie dowto lie down: laשָׁכַבקָבַרto buryto buryקָבַרמָתַיhowhowמָתַיעֶ֫רֶבeveningeveningעֶ֫רֶב
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Genesis 32:24

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

and he remained Jacob to only him and he wrestled a man with him until came up the dawn
וַיִּוָּתֵ֥רvai.yi.va.Ter and he remained H3498 Verb · Niphal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
106× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word 'yâthar' means to remain or be left, and can also mean to excel or have more than enough, often translated as 'remain' or 'preserve'.
Tyndale gloss
to remain
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יָתַר (yathar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to remain or be left over. It encompasses various nuances, including leaving a remnant, excelling, and preserving alive. The entries indicate that it can express both the idea of excess and the act of leaving something behind. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[יָתַר] 107 vb. remain over

Qal Pt. the remainder

Niph. be left over, remain over

Hiph.

leave over, leave

abs. leave a remnant

save over, i.e. presevre alive

excel, shew pre-eminence

shew excess = have more than enough

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3498 [יָתַר] remain over .Pt. the remainder

. be left over, remain over

. . . leave over, leave

. abs. leave a remnant

. save over, i.e. presevre alive

. excel, shew pre-eminence

. shew excess = have more than enough

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3498 yathar yaw-thar'

a primitive root; to jut over or exceed; by implication, to

excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively, to

leave, cause to abound, preserve:--excel, leave (a remnant),

left behind, too much, make plenteous, preserve, (be, let)

remain(-der, -ing, - nant), reserve, residue, rest.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יָתַר (ya.tar) — to remain.

1) to be left over, remain, remain over, leave

1a) (Qal) remainder (participle)

1b) (Niphal) to be left over, remain over, be left behind

1c) (Hiphil)

1c1) to leave over, leave

1c2) to save over, preserve alive

1c3) to excel, show pre-eminence

1c4) to show excess, have more than enough, have an excess

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Hc/VNw3ms — Verb · Niphal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/VNw3ms
and he remained Jacob to only him and he wrestled a man with him until came up the dawn
יַעֲקֹ֖בya.'a.Ko Jacob H3290 Noun proper masculine
350× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word is the name of a person, Jacob, a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and the father of many tribes of Israel. The KJV simply translates it as Jacob.
Tyndale gloss
Jacob
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

יַעֲקֹב (i.e. *Ya`aqob*) refers to Jacob, a key figure in the Old Testament. The word is derived from a root meaning 'heel-catcher' or 'supplanter.' Jacob is the son of Isaac and Rebekah, brother of Esau, and father of the twelve tribes of Israel. He is also known as Israel, highlighting his significance in biblical history.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

יַעֲקֹב 344, יַעֲקוֹב 6 n.pr.m. et gent. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, father of tribes of Isr.

as n.pr.m.

as n.pr.gent.

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H3290 יַעֲקֹב, יַעֲקוֹב Jacob

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

3290 Ya`aqob yah-ak-obe'

from 6117; heel-catcher (i.e. supplanter); Jaakob, the

Israelitish patriarch:--Jacob.

see HEBREW for 06117

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

יַעֲקֹב (ya.a.qov) — Jacob.

A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26;

son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259);

brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A);

father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently

Another name of yis.ra.el (יִשְׂרָאֵל "Israel" H3478)

§ Jacob = "heel holder" or "supplanter"

son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham, and father of the 12 patriarchs of the tribes of Israel

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNpm — Noun proper masculine
HNpm
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Easton's Bible Dictionary

Jacob

One who follows on another’s heels; supplanter, (Gen. 25:26; 27:36; Hos. 12:2-4), the second born of the twin sons of Isaac by Rebekah. He was born probably at Lahai-roi, when his father was fifty-nine and Abraham one hundred and fifty-nine years old. Like his father, he was of a quiet and gentle disposition, and when he grew up followed the life of a shepherd, while his brother Esau became an enterprising hunter. His dealing with Esau, however, showed much mean selfishness and cunning (Gen. 25:29-34).

When Isaac was about 160 years of age, Jacob and his mother conspired to deceive the aged patriarch (Gen. 27), with the view of procuring the transfer of the birthright to himself. The birthright secured to him who…

Smith's Bible Dictionary

(supplanter), the second son of Isaac and Rebekah. He was born with Esau, probably at the well of Lahai-roi, about B.C. 1837. His history is related in the latter half of the book of Genesis. He bought the birthright from his brother Esau, and afterward acquired the blessing intended for Esau, by practicing a well-known deceit on Isaac. (Jacob did not obtain the blessing because of his deceit, but in spite of it. That which was promised he would have received in some good way; but Jacob and his mother, distrusting God’s promise, sought the promised blessing in a wrong way, and received with it trouble and sorrow. --ED.) Jacob, in his 78th year, was sent from the family home to avoid his brother, and to seek a wife among his kindred in Padan-aram. As he passed through Bethel, God appeared to him. After the lapse of twenty-one years he returned from Padan-aram with two wives, two…

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

Son of Isaac and Rebekah, and twin-brother to Esau. As at his birth he held his brother’s heel, he was called Jacob, that is, the heelholder, one who comes behind and catches the heel of his adversary, a supplanter, Ge 25:26. This was a king of predictive intimation of his future conduct in life. Jacob was meek and peaceable, living a shepherd life at home. Esau was more turbulent and fierce, and passionately fond of hunting. Isaac was partial to Esau, Rebekah to Jacob. Jacob having taken advantage of his brother’s absence and his father’s infirmity to obtain the blessing of the birthright, or primogeniture, was compelled to fly into Mesopotamia to avoid the consequences of his brother’s wrath, Ge 27:1-28:22. On his journey the Lord appeared to him in a dream, (see LADDER,)…

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

that supplants, undermines; the heel

and he remained Jacob to only him and he wrestled a man with him until came up the dawn
לְבַדּ֑וֹle.va.Do to only him H905 Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
200× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word 'bad' can mean alone, apart, or a separate part of something, like a branch or a bar. It's used to describe something that's only or except for something else.
Tyndale gloss
alone: pole
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

בַּד (bad) refers to separation or being alone, often indicating a part or branch of something. It can denote physical separation, such as limbs or bars, as well as figurative uses like 'chief of a city.' The entries consistently highlight meanings related to being apart or alone, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

בַּד, בָּ֑ד n.m. separation, concr. part

prop. in a state of separation, alone, by itself

concr. part

parts, specif. extended from something

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H905 בַּד, בָּ֑ד separation, concr. part . prop. in a state of separation, alone, by itself

. concr. part

. parts, specif. extended from something

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

905 bad bad

from 909; properly, separation; by implication, a part of the

body, branch of a tree, bar for carrying; figuratively, chief

of a city; especially (with prepositional prefix) as an

adverb, apart, only, besides:--alone, apart, bar, besides,

branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff,

strength.

see HEBREW for 0909

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

בַּד (bad) — alone: pole.

: pole

1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone

1a) separation, alone, by itself

1a1) only (adv)

1a2) apart from, besides (prep)

1b) part

1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars

בַּד (bad) — alone.

: alone

1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone

1a) separation, alone, by itself

1a1) only (adv)

1a2) apart from, besides (prep)

1b) part

1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars

בַּד (bad) — alone: each.

: each

1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone

1a) separation, alone, by itself

1a1) only (adv)

1a2) apart from, besides (prep)

1b) part

1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars

בַּד (bad) — alone: besides.

: besides/apart from

1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone

1a) separation, alone, by itself

1a1) only (adv)

1a2) apart from, besides (prep)

1b) part

1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular construct · suffix
HR/Ncmsc/Sp3ms
and he remained Jacob to only him and he wrestled a man with him until came up the dawn
וַיֵּאָבֵ֥קvai.ye.'a.Vek and he wrestled H79 Verb · Niphal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
2× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word means to wrestle or grapple with someone, and it's used in the Bible to describe a physical struggle. In the book of Genesis, it describes Jacob's wrestling match with God.
Tyndale gloss
to wrestle
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אָבַק (*abaq*) is a verb that means 'to wrestle' or 'to grapple.' It is a denominative verb derived from a root that suggests the idea of getting dusty, likely through physical struggle. The word appears in the Niphal form, specifically noted in Genesis 32:25.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[אָבַק] vb. denom. Niph. wrestle Gn 32:25

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H79 אָבַק vb. denom. Niph. wrestle

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

79 'abaq aw-bak'

a primitive root, probably to float away (as vapor), but used

only as denominative from 80; to bedust, i.e. grapple:--

wrestle.

see HEBREW for 080

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אָבַק (a.vaq) — to wrestle.

(Niphal) to wrestle, grapple (get dusty), bedust

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Hc/VNw3ms — Verb · Niphal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singular
Hc/VNw3ms
and he remained Jacob to only him and he wrestled a man with him until came up the dawn
אִישׁ֙'ish a man H376 Noun common · masculine singular absolute
1,664× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Tyndale gloss
man
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word אִישׁ (iysh) means 'man' and can refer to an individual male, a husband, or a human being in general. It encompasses various meanings, including champion and great man, and can also imply 'whosoever' or 'each.' The word is built from a root suggesting existence and is used throughout the Old Testament.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H376 אִישׁ man (= vir)

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

376 'iysh eesh

contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root

meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male

person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and

in such cases frequently not expressed in

translation):--also, another, any (man), a certain, +

champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-,

husband-)man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree),

him (that is), husband, man(-kind), + none, one, people,

person, + steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy.

Compare 802.

see HEBREW for 0582

see HEBREW for 0802

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

אִישׁ (ish) — man.

: man

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: husband.

: husband

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

אִישׁ (ish) — man: anyone.

: anyone/someone

1) man

1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

1b) husband

1c) human being, person (in contrast to God)

1d) servant

1e) mankind

1f) champion

1g) great man

2) whosoever

3) each (adjective)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absolute
HNcmsa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

See ANTHROPOLOGY.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Man

(1.) Heb. ‘Adam, used as the proper name of the first man. The name is derived from a word meaning “to be red,” and thus the first man was called Adam because he was formed from the red earth. It is also the generic name of the human race (Gen. 1:26, 27; 5:2; 8:21; Deut. 8:3). Its equivalents are the Latin homo and the Greek anthropos (Matt. 5:13, 16). It denotes also man in opposition to woman (Gen. 3:12; Matt. 19:10).

(2.) Heb. ‘ish, like the Latin vir and Greek aner, denotes properly a man in opposition to a woman (1 Sam. 17:33;

→ CREATED Ge 1:26,27; 2:7; 5:1,2; De 4:32; Job 4:17; 10:2,3,8,9; 31:15; 33:4; 35:10; Ps 8:5; 100:3; 119:73; 138:8; 139:14; Ec 7:29; Isa 17:7; 42:5; 43:7; 45:12; 64:8; Jer 27:5; Zec 12:1; Mal 2:10; Mr 10:6; Heb 2:7

See CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD, below

The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
and he remained Jacob to only him and he wrestled a man with him until came up the dawn
עִמּ֔וֹi.Mo with him H5973 Preposition · suffix
1,052× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Tyndale gloss
with
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עִם (im) is a preposition meaning 'with' and covers a range of relationships, including companionship, locality, and possession. It can imply actions done jointly, equality, or even opposition in contexts like combat. The related form מֵעִם (me.im) means 'from with' or 'beside.' The entries reflect various nuances but do not present significant disagreement.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עִם prep. with

of fellowship and companionship

of aid

Of actions done jointly with another

If the common action be of the nature of a contest or combat, with in the sense of against

Of dealing with a person, or of the relation in which one stands with, or towards, another

Of a common lot together with the wicked

Of equality or resemblance generally aid

Of time, as long as

Of a locality, close to, beside

Of persons, עִם is spec.

in the house or family or service of

In possession of

In the custody or care of

Beside = except

With = friendly with

Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

base

מֵעִם 72 from with or beside

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5973a עִם with . of fellowship and companionship

. Of a locality, close to, beside

. Of persons, עִם is spec. . in the house or family or service of

. In possession of

. In the custody or care of

. Beside = except

. With = friendly with

. Idiom. of a thought or purpose present with one

. Metaph. together with = in spite of, notwithstanding

H5973b מֵעִם from with, beside

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5973 `im eem

from 6004; adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction

with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with;

often with prepositional prefix (and then usually

unrepresented in English):--accompanying, against, and, as (X

long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from

(among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-)to,

with(-al).

see HEBREW for 06004

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עִם (im) — with.

1) with

1a) with

1b) against

1c) toward

1d) as long as

מֵעִם (me.im) — from with.

1a) beside, except

1b) in spite of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HRd/Sp3ms — Preposition · suffix
HRd/Sp3ms
and he remained Jacob to only him and he wrestled a man with him until came up the dawn
עַ֖ד'ad until H5704 Preposition
1,261× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Tyndale gloss
till
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

עַד (ad) primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or conjunction meaning 'until,' 'up to,' or 'as far as.' It can denote spatial, temporal, or degree-related contexts, such as 'even to' or 'while.' The entries indicate its use in poetry and in various combinations, but there is no significant disagreement among the lexicons regarding its meanings.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי prep. as far as, even to, up to, until, while

prep.

of space

Of time

Of degree

conj.

until

While

Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus

of space

Of time

Of degree

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5704 עַד, in poetry עֲדֵי as far as, even to, up to, until, while . prep. . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

. conj. . until

. While

. Of degree, to the point that, so that even (rare)

. עַד לְ, a strengthened form for עַד. Thus . of space

. Of time

. Of degree

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5704 `ad ad

properly, the same as 5703 (used as a preposition, adverb or

conjunction; especially with a preposition); as far (or long,

or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during,

while, until) or degree (equally with):--against, and, as,

at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as),

(hither-)to, + how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that,

till, toward, until, when, while, (+ as) yet.

see HEBREW for 05703

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עַד (ad) — till.

prep

1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as

1a) of space

1a1) as far as, up to, even to

1b) in combination

1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from)

1c) of time

1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end

1d) of degree

1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like

conj

2) until, while, to the point that, so that even

Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HR — Preposition
HR
and he remained Jacob to only him and he wrestled a man with him until came up the dawn
עֲל֥וֹתa.Lot came up H5927 Verb · Qal · infinitive construct common
890× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
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.
Tyndale gloss
to ascend: rise
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word עָלָה (alah) means 'to ascend' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including going up, climbing, and rising in various contexts such as personal, natural, and spiritual. It can refer to actions involving people, animals, vegetation, and even thoughts, and includes nuances of being exalted or offering sacrifices. The word is built from a primitive root and appears in various grammatical forms, indicating different aspects of ascent or elevation.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

עָלָה 890 vb. go up, ascend, climb

Qal

of persons, go up, ascend, in local relations

go up, in personal relations

of animals, go or come up

of vegetation, spring up, grow, shoot forth

of natural phenom., go up, rise

of inanimate things, instead of passive construction

of thoughts

come up before God, arrogance

go up, extend, of boundary

excel

Niph.

be brought up

be taken up

pass., be taken up, away

reflex., take oneself away from, get up from

reflex.: take oneself away

be exalted, of God

Hiph.

bring up persons

in personal relations

bring up animals

cause to ascend

mentally

offer a present; bring up tithe to

exalt

cause to ascend (in flame), offer sacrifice

Hoph.

be carried away

be taken up into, inserted in

be offered

Hithp. lift oneself

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5927 עָלָה go up, ascend, climb .. of persons, go up, ascend, in local relations

. go up, in personal relations

. of animals, go or come up

. of vegetation, spring up, grow, shoot forth

. of natural phenom., go up, rise

. of inanimate things, instead of passive construction

. of thoughts

. come up before God, arrogance

. go up, extend, of boundary

. excel

. . . be brought up

. be taken up

. . pass., be taken up, away

. reflex., take oneself away from, get up from

. reflex.: take oneself away

. be exalted, of God

. . bring up persons

. in personal relations

. bring up animals

. cause to ascend

. mentally

. offer a present; bring up tithe to

. exalt

. cause to ascend (in flame), offer sacrifice

. . be carried away

. be taken up into, inserted in

. be offered

. lift oneself

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5927 `alah aw-law'

a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or

actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary

and secondary, literal and figurative (as follow):--arise

(up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up),

bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, + 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, X mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, + 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.

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

עָלָה (a.lah) — to ascend: rise.

: 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

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HVqcc — Verb · Qal · infinitive construct common
HVqcc
and he remained Jacob to only him and he wrestled a man with him until came up the dawn
הַשָּֽׁחַר׃ha.Sha.char the dawn H7837 Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
24× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
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.
Tyndale gloss
dawn
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

שַׁ֫חַר (shachar) means 'dawn' and can refer to both the literal time of day and figuratively or adverbially to concepts of early light or morning. It is derived from a related root, שָׁחַר (H7836), and is used in various contexts to denote the beginning of light.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שַׁ֫חַר n.m. dawn

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7837 שַׁ֫חַר dawn

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7837 shachar shakh'-ar

from 7836; dawn (literal, figurative or

adverbial):--day(-spring), early, light, morning, whence

riseth.

see HEBREW for 07836

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שַׁ֫חַר (sha.char) — dawn.

1) dawn

1a) dawn

1b) at dawn (as adverb)

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
HTd/Ncmsa — Particle · noun common masculine singular absolute
HTd/Ncmsa
Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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