The name Israel means “he who struggles with God” or “God contends,” derived from the Hebrew root “sarah,” which signifies struggle or wrestle. It was given to Jacob after he wrestled with an angel (Genesis 32:28) and is also used to refer to the descendants of Jacob, the Israelites, who form the twelve tribes of Israel.
Scripture
24 And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.
25 When he saw that he did not prevail against him, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him.
26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
27 And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.”
28 Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
29 Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him.
30 So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.”
31 The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.
32 Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip on the sinew of the thigh.
Meaning of “Israel” in the Bible
The name “Israel,” meaning “he who struggles with God” (Genesis 32:28), encapsulates both a personal and communal journey of faith characterized by grappling with divine purpose and human frailty. Jacob’s wrestling match with the angel serves as a profound metaphor for the spiritual and moral struggles that individuals undergo in their relationship with God. This narrative not only marks a transformative moment for Jacob, who receives a new name signifying his growth but also establishes a paradigm for the future of his descendants—the Israelites. This struggle can be seen throughout scripture as the Israelites face various trials, reflecting their ongoing quest for identity, understanding, and faithfulness to God amidst adversity (Exodus 14:13-14; Isaiah 43:1-3).
The broader significance of the name “Israel” extends beyond Jacob’s experience. It represents the communal identity of a people chosen by God, tasked with the mission to embody the covenant relationship established with Him. This wrestling with faith is echoed in other parts of the Bible, such as in Psalm 124:1-2, where the psalmist acknowledges that it is God who helps them against their struggles. The name Israel invites believers to recognize that doubt, questions, and struggles can be integral to their spiritual journey. Rather than deterring one from faith, these struggles forge resilience and depth in their relationship with God, reminding the faithful that their identity is intricately tied to their willingness to confront and navigate the complexities of their faith journey.
In addition to Jacob’s personal transformation, the identity of Israel embodies a significant narrative woven throughout the biblical text, representing a collective journey of a chosen people dedicated to fulfilling God’s covenant. The various trials faced by the Israelites in the wilderness serve as metaphors for spiritual formation and communal integrity. This name symbolizes not only the struggles inherent in their journey but also the divine assurance that accompanies them. Throughout their history, the Israelites grappled with loyalty and faith, often depicted through the cyclical pattern of disobedience, repentance, and restoration. Their name serves as a constant reminder that being in a relationship with God involves navigating periods of doubt and conflict, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of divine love and commitment.
The meaning of Israel also resonates in prophetic literature where the focus shifts towards a vision of restoration and hope. The prophets often speak to Israel — not just as a people but as a representation of spiritual renewal. This insight reinforces that the struggles and challenges faced by Israel are not only for their sake but serve a greater purpose in God’s overarching plan for humanity. As seen in the call for repentance and justice in the messages of the prophets, the identity of Israel entails accountability and a call to embody ethical behaviors that reflect their covenant with God. Thus, the name Israel encapsulates an ongoing dialogue between divine and human action, inviting all who bear this name to embrace their past struggles as stepping stones toward fulfilling their purpose in the divine narrative.
The Struggle and Triumph of Faith
The name Israel signifies a profound journey of struggle and triumph in faith. It embodies the idea of wrestling with God and humanity, reflecting the challenges faced by individuals and communities in their spiritual journeys. This struggle is not merely physical but also represents the internal conflicts and moral dilemmas that believers encounter as they seek to align their lives with divine will. The name thus serves as a reminder that faith often involves perseverance through trials and the eventual victory that comes from steadfastness.
A Chosen People and Covenant Relationship
Israel also represents the concept of a chosen people, signifying a special covenant relationship between God and the descendants of Jacob. This name encapsulates the idea of divine selection and purpose, where the people of Israel are called to be a light to the nations and to uphold God’s commandments. This covenantal aspect emphasizes themes of loyalty, responsibility, and the unique role that Israel plays in the unfolding narrative of salvation history, highlighting the importance of community and collective identity in the biblical context.
A Symbol of Hope and Restoration
In a broader sense, Israel symbolizes hope and restoration. Throughout the biblical narrative, the name is associated with promises of redemption and the eventual restoration of God’s people. It reflects the belief that despite periods of exile, suffering, and disobedience, there is always the possibility of renewal and reconciliation with God. This aspect of Israel serves as an encouragement for believers, reminding them that no matter the circumstances, there is always hope for a future filled with divine grace and restoration.
How to Strengthen Your Faith and Walk with God
Strengthening your faith and deepening your walk with God is a beautiful journey that requires intentionality and openness. Start by immersing yourself in Scripture; the Bible is not just a book, but a living guide that speaks to our hearts and circumstances. Set aside time each day for prayer, allowing it to be a two-way conversation where you not only speak but also listen for God’s gentle whispers. Surround yourself with a community of believers who can encourage and challenge you, as fellowship is vital in our spiritual growth. Don’t shy away from serving others, as acts of kindness can deepen your understanding of God’s love and purpose for your life. Remember, faith is not about perfection but about progress; embrace the small steps and trust that God is with you every step of the way.
Bible References to the Meaning of Israel:
Genesis 35:9-15: 9 God appeared to Jacob again when he came from Paddan-aram and blessed him.
10 And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; no longer shall your name be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.” So he called his name Israel.
11 And God said to him, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body.
12 And the land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac I will give to you, and I will give the land to your offspring after you.
13 And God went up from him in the place where he had spoken with him.
14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he had spoken with him, a pillar of stone. He poured out a drink offering on it and poured oil on it.
15 So Jacob called the name of the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.
Genesis 46:1-4: 1 So Israel took his journey with all that he had and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
2 And God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.”
3 Then he said, “I am God, the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation.
4 I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph’s hand shall close your eyes.”
Exodus 19:3-6: 3 while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel:
4 You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.
5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine.
6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”
1 Kings 18:30-39: 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down.
31 Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,”
32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord.
33 And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.”
34 And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.”
35 And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water.
36 And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.
37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.”
38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.”
2 Kings 17:34-41: 34 To this day they do according to their former manner. They do not fear the Lord, and they do not follow the statutes or the rules or the law or the commandment that the Lord commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel.
35 The Lord made a covenant with them and commanded them, “You shall not fear other gods or bow yourselves to them or serve them or sacrifice to them,
36 but you shall fear the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and with an outstretched arm. You shall bow yourselves to him, and to him you shall sacrifice.
37 And the statutes and the rules and the law and the commandment that he wrote for you, you shall always be careful to do. You shall not fear other gods.
38 And the covenant that I have made with you, you shall not forget, and you shall not fear other gods.
39 but you shall fear the Lord your God, and he will deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies.
40 but they would not listen, but were stubborn, as their fathers had been, who did not believe in the Lord their God.
41 So these nations feared the Lord and also served their carved images. Their children did likewise, and their children’s children—as their fathers did, so they do to this day.
Isaiah 41:8-10: 8 But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
the offspring of Abraham, my friend;
9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth,
and called from its farthest corners,
saying to you, “You are my servant,
I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 43:1-7: 1 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
4 Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
peoples in exchange for your life.
5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.
6 I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the end of the earth,
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
Jeremiah 31:31-34: 31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah,
32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord.
33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord.
Hosea 11:1-4: 1 When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
2 The more they were called, the more they went away; they kept sacrificing to the Baals and burning offerings to idols.
3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them.
4 I led them with cords of kindness,
with the bands of love,
and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws,
and I bent down to them and fed them.
Matthew 2:13-15: 13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”
14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt.
15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
Romans 9:6-13: 6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,
7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”
8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.”
10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,
11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—
12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”
13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Galatians 6:15-16: 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
Rev. François Dupont is a dedicated church minister with a wealth of experience in serving spiritual communities. With a calm and serene demeanor, he has been devoted to sharing the message of love, compassion, and tolerance for over two decades. Through his thoughtful sermons, compassionate counseling, and unwavering support, Rev. Dupont has touched the lives of countless individuals, allowing them to find solace and strength during difficult times. His serene presence and deep understanding of the human condition make him a trusted guide for those seeking spiritual nourishment and guidance.