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Dawn at the Jabbok

The biblical allegory of Jacob wrestling with the Angel of Edom at the Jabbok River represents inner struggle with fear of annihilation. While Jacob receives a blow to his leg tendon, he succeeds in receiving a blessing from his opponent guaranteeing his eternal survival. 

In the biblical narrative of Genesis 32:22–32, Jacob’s nocturnal wrestling match with the mysterious Angel of Edom at the Jabbok River serves as a profound allegory for an inner psychological and spiritual struggle against the existential fear of annihilation, both personal and communal. Jacob's enigmatic encounter with the angel occurs as he prepares to face his estranged brother Esau, whom he fears may seek to destroy him and his family. The encounter symbolizes his confrontation with doubt, guilt, and the terror of obliteration, which all appear to be rooted in his past deceptions and the looming threat of retribution. The angel, often interpreted as a divine emissary or a manifestation of God Himself, strikes Jacob’s hip, dislocating the tendon of his thigh—a physical wound that signifies vulnerability, the enduring consequences of struggle, and the humbling of human pride in the face of divine power. Yet, despite the injury, Jacob’s tenacity prevails as he clings to his opponent, refusing to release him until he receives a blessing. This blessing, which includes (in fact, introduces) the new name, “Israel” (“he who strives with God”), affirms Jacob’s transformation and guarantees his eternal survival, not merely as an individual but as the progenitor of a nation destined to endure through divine covenant. The narrative’s resolution reflects a triumph over fear, where the struggle itself becomes a sacred act of forging resilience and divine connection, ensuring Jacob’s legacy in the cosmic order.

© 2025 David Stern / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

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