This mysterious wrestling has been a fruitful source of difficulty and misinterpretation (see Hofmann, Varia (S'acra, 185 sq. ; Heumann, *S^/foi7. ffe. i, 147 sq.). The narrator did not, we think, intend it for the account of a dream or illusion (see Ziegler in Henke's Nat. Mug. ii, 29 sq. ; Hengstenberg, Bileam, p. 51 ; Herder, Geist der Heh. Poesie, i, 266 ; Tuch's Gen. p. 468). A literal inter- pretation may seem difficult, for it makes the Omnipo- tent vanquish one of his own creatures, not without a long struggle, and at last only by a sort of art or strata- gem (compare similar accounts in heathen mythologj', Bauer, Ileb. Mythol. i, 251 sq.; Clovers, Phonic, i, 433 ; Bohlen, Iiulien, i, 225). At the same time it must be said that the only way to expound the narrative is to divest ourselves of our own modern associations, and en- deavor to contemplate it from the position in which its author stood (see Bush's Note, ad loc). Still, the ques- tion recurs. What was the fact which he has set forth in these terms'? (see De Wette, Krif. d. Is. Gesch. p. 132 ; Ewald, Israeliten, i, 405 ; RosenmiiUer, Scholia, ad loc.) The design (says Wellbeloved, ad loc), "was to encour- age Jacob, returning to his native land, and fearful of his brother's resentment, and to confirm his fjiith in the existence and providence of God. And who will ven- ture to say that in that early period any other equally efficacious means could have been employed ?" (Comp. tlie lanuungo already quoted [ver. 28].) A very obvious cnil inusued throughout the history of Jacob was the devclopnicnt of his religious convictions; and the event in question, no less than the altars he erected and the dreams he had, may have materially conduced to so im- portant a result. That it had a lasting sjjiritual effect u]ion Jacob is evident from the devout tenor of his after life. (For a beautiful exposition of this event, see Charles Wesley's poem entitled "Wrestling Jacob." Compare Krummacher, Jacoi Wrestling [Lond. 1838].)
After this night of anxious but triumphant wrestling, Jacob rose from Peniel with the sun shuiing upon him (an emblem of the bright and radiant hope which now illuminated his inner man), and went on his way halt- ing— weakened corporealh- by the conflict in which he had engaged, that he might have no confidence in the
flesh, but strong in the divine favor and blessing. Ac- cordingly, when Esau approached with his formidable host, all hostile feelings gave way ; the victory had been already won in the higher sphere of things, and he who tumeth the hearts of kings Uke the rivers of water, made the heart of Esau melt like wax before the Uberal gifts, the humble demeanor, and earnest entreaties of his brother. They embraced each other as brethren, and for the present at least, and for anything that ajipears during the remainder of their personal lives, they main- tained the most friendly relations.
4. After residing for a little on the farther side of Jordan, at a place called Succoth. from Jacob's having erected there booths (Hebrew siiH-ol!,) for his cattle, he crossed the Jordan, and pitched his tent near Shechera — ultimately the centre of the Samaritans. [In the re- ceived text, it is said (Gen. xxxiii, 18), "He came to Shalem, a city of Shechem" — but some prefer the read- ing Shalom .-'"He came in peace to city of Shechem."] There he bought a piece of ground from the family of Shechem, and obtained a footing among the people as a man of. substance, whose friendship it was desirable to cidtivate. But ere long, having, by the misconduct of Hamor the Hivite (see Uinaii) and the hardy valor of his sons, been involved in danger from the natives of Shechem in Canaan, Jacob is divinely directed, and, under the divine protection, proceeds to Bethel, where he is to " make an altar unto God, that appeared unto thee when thou tteddest from the face of Esau thy brother" (Gen. xxxiv, xxxv) (B.C. cir. 1900). Obedi- ent to the divine command, he first purifies his family from "strange gods," which he hid under "the oak which is by Shechem," after which God appeared to him again, with the important declaration, " I am God Almighty," and renewed the Abrahamic covenant. While journeying from Beth-el to Ephrath, his beloved Rachel' lost her life in giving birth to her second son, Benjamin (Gen. xxxv, 16-20) (B.C. cir. 1899). At length Jacob came to his father Isaac at ]Mamre, the family residence, in time to pay the last attentions to the aged patriarch (Gen. xxxv", 27) (B.C. 1898). The complete reconciliation between Jacob and Esau at this time is shown by their uniting in the biudal rites of their father. Not long after this bereavement, Jacob was robbed of his beloved son, Joseph, through the jeal- ousy and bad faith of his brothers (Gen. xxxvii) (B.C. 1896). This loss is the occasion of showing us how strong were Jacob's jiaternal feelings; for, on seeing what appeared to be proofs that "some evil beast had devoured Joseph," the old man " rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days, and refused to be comforted" (Gen. xxxvii, 33).
A widely extended famine induced Jacob to send his sons down' into Egypt, where he had heard there was com, without knowing by whose instrumentality (Gen. xHi sq.) (B.C. 1875). The patriarch, however, retained his youngest son Benjamin, "lest mischief should befaU him," as it had befallen Joseph. The young men re- turned with the needed supplies of corn. They related, however, that they had been taken for spies, and that there was but one way in which they could disprove the charge, namely, by carrj-ing d< >wn Benjamin to '• the lord of the land." This Jacob vehemently refused (Gen, xliii. 36). The pressure of the famine, however, at length forced Jacob to allow Benjamin to accompany his brothers on a second visit to Egypt ; whence, in due time, they brought back to their father the pleasing in- telligence, " Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt." How naturally is the effect of this on Jacob told—" and Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not." When, however, they had gone into particulars, he added, " Enough, Joseph my son is yet aUve ; I will go and see him before I die." Touches of nature like this suffice to show the reality of the his- tory before us, and, since they are not unfrequent in the I book of Genesis, they will of themselves avail to sustain