Genesis 32

Jehovah

And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee: Genesis 32:9–12

Jacob humbly prays to the LORD, Jehovah, the covenant God of his fathers, confessing he is unworthy of His mercies and pleading for deliverance. It is a model of turning to the premortal Christ in fear and trusting His promises.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him · a traditional type, cited

• quotes Genesis 31:3 — Jacob repeats the LORD's command to return to his kindred.
• alludes to Genesis 22:17 — The promise of seed 'as the sand which is upon the sea shore.'
• interpreted by 1 Nephi 19:10 — 'the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, yieldeth himself... as a man, into the hands of wicked men... to be crucified' (footnote note9_a).
• the same title in Doctrine and Covenants 136:21 — The Lord: 'I am the Lord your God, even the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob' (footnote note9_a).

Messenger of God (the one who wrestled with Jacob)

Israel — one who prevails with God (or 'let God prevail')

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. Genesis 32:24–29

The 'man' who wrestles with Jacob blesses him and gives him the new name Israel, but will not tell His own name. The Church's chapter heading calls him 'a messenger of God', and Hosea calls him 'the angel'. He blesses in God's name, and Jacob's refusal to let go until he is blessed is a picture of wrestling in prayer.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · another scripture interprets it of Him · a footnote points to Him · a traditional type, cited

• interpreted by Hosea 12:4-5 — 'He had power over the angel, and prevailed... he found him in Bethel... Even the LORD God of hosts.'
• alluded to by Enos 1:2 — Enos tells 'of the wrestle which I had before God' (footnote note24_a).
• the same title in Judges 13:18 — The angel of the LORD also withholds His name: 'Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?' (footnote note29_a).
• alluded to by Genesis 35:10 — God confirms the new name at Bethel: 'Israel shall be thy name.'

The premortal Christ

Peniel — face of God

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. Genesis 32:30

Jacob testifies that he saw God face to face and lived. In Latter-day Saint understanding the God who appeared to the patriarchs was Jehovah, the premortal Jesus Christ.

How we know: a Church study aid lists it · the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · another scripture interprets it of Him

• interpreted by Hosea 12:4-5 — Identifies the One Jacob met as 'the LORD God of hosts.'
• alluded to by Genesis 33:10 — Jacob tells Esau, 'I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God.'