Jacob and the angel (image)

Hand colored stencil print on washi by Sadao Watanabe (1970).

Image taken with permission from the SadaoHanga Catalogue where you can find many more images and information about Sadao Watanabe.

For other images of Sadao Watanabe art works in TIPs, see here.

complete verse (Genesis 32:31)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 32:31:

  • Kankanaey: “The sun-was-rising when- Jacob -left Peniel, and he limped in walking on-account of his dislocated hip.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Because his buttocks were torn and out of joint, he walked awkwardly. When he passed Peniel the sun had already risen.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The sun was- already -rising when Jacob left-from Peniel. He was-limping because of his dislocated bone in the hip.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The sun was rising as Jacob left Peniel, and he was limping because of what had happened to his hip.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 32:31

The sun rose upon him: that is, “the sun was rising” or “the sun was coming up.” For reasons of style this clause may be better placed after the clause containing the verb passed.

As he passed Penuel: passed may mean “passed through,” “passed by,” or “crossed over.” The Hebrew verb is the same as was used for crossing the ford of the Jabbok stream in verse 22. It may mean that Jacob now crossed the ford to join his family and go in the direction from which he expected Esau; see comments on verses 22 and 23. However, no major English translation translates the verb as “crossed over.” In other languages many translations do the same as Good News Translation: “The sun rose as Jacob was leaving Peniel.”

In the Hebrew Penuel is spelled differently than in verse 30. This is the spelling found in such passages as Judges 8.8 and 9; 1 Kgs 12.25. Some translations keep the two spellings in verses 30 and 31, and some use only one spelling in both places. Because both refer to the same place and occur close together in the text, the Handbook recommends using one spelling. The question then is, which spelling? The spelling used in verse 31 occurs eight times in the Old Testament, whereas that in verse 30 is used only once. It is recommended, therefore, that Penuel be the form used in both verses 30 and 31.

Limping because of his thigh: because of may need to be rendered so that the reason is more concrete. For example, “Jacob was limping because his hip was injured” or “the opponent had injured Jacob’s hip, and he was limping as he walked.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .