Traditional Explanation
The man said to Jacob: “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with beings divine and human, and have prevailed” (Gen. 32:28). The name “Israel” is believed to come from the Hebrew word sharit (שרית), which means “to struggle”, and “to prevail”. Exploring this name helps us recognize the transformation at Penuel. The name Israel can be read as Yashar- El (ישר-אל). The Hebrew word Yashar (יָשָׁר) means straight, honest, honorable, and law-abiding. In biblical usage, it means “righteous, God-fearing person”. The root akov (עָקֹב֙), from Yakov, means “crooked.” Based on this verse: the crooked (הֶֽעָקֹב֙) shall be made straight (Is 40:4), we now understand the meaning of: Israel is the one whom God made straight as opposed to “being crooked and uneven”.
Reveal the hidden meanings of Scripture
Ancient Jewish names carried a very important significance because they spoke of a person’s character, deeds, and identity. When someone was given a new name, there was a change in their identity. Reading the Bible in Hebrew reveals the real meaning of these names that are otherwise lost in translation. Take the next step to learn the hidden meanings of Biblical names in Scripture. Enroll in our Online Biblical Hebrew courses today!
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