The purpose of this research is to provide an exegesis of a portion of Genesis regarding the meanings and implications of the change of Jacob's name to Israel. The plan of the research will be to set forth the background and context of the events in which the name change is described, and then to discuss ways in which the change reaches narrative and theological meaning for the writers of Genesis and the audience at which the book was directed.
Jacob's name change is specifically cited in two places in Genesis, at 32:23-31, when the angel that Jacob wrestles with says that Jacob's future name will be Israel, and at 35:10-12, when God appears to Jacob and more formally blesses him and designates the change. The most important feature of the background of and context for these passages is the status of Jacob among his people. Jacob is a proxy for the clan of Abraham, which eventually becomes the clan of the Israelites as a whole. Indeed, Jacob makes a project of seeking leadership in the clan, beginning with his swindling Esau out of the birthright by obtaining the firstborn's blessing, and continuing with his repeated requests for blessings, whether from God, the angel, Esau, or Laban. If the figure of Jacob is interpreted metaphorically as a personification of the Israelites, then it is not too much to say that the Israelites, too, persistently seek blessings, indeed, persistently seek a special status in the universe and special relationship with the Lord of the universe. Jacob's name change to Israel is the core symbol of this process.
The first episode in which Jacob's name change is mentioned takes place after he travels to meet his long-estranged brother Esau. Fearing Esau will attack him, Jacob reminds God of the promise to be good to him and his descendants (Gen. 32.13). Jacob meanwhile sends Esau gifts in order to appease him. Then, with his large family, group of servants, and livestock and other property, he crosses a r...