The translation of Genesis 32:28 is diverse. (1) “You have struggled with God and with men and have overcome” (NIV), (2) “You have been a prince with God” (YLT), (3) “As a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed” (KJV).
Hebrew dictionaries (Strong, TWOT, BDB) explains the root verb Ssarah in four different ways, therefore, as for readers it is very hard to decide which translation is more relevant.
cf. Ssarah שָׂרָה 1) “He had kingly power with,” 2) He contended with (Strong's Hebrew 8280: TWOT), 3) “He exerted (or struggled) himself, 3) He persevered” (BDB). How about Greek Translation (BGT)? The word translated into ἐνισχύω, Eniskuo, which means: “To grow strong, regain one's strength” (Ac 9:19; 19:20).
Theologicans seemed decided to follow their own theological views on Jacob’s life story. NIV translation; “You have struggled with God,” describes Jacob’s character as a strong and persistent one who tried to change God’s will to overcome his personal crisis. This interpretation might disregard deep theological motives of Rebekah who persuaded Jacob strongly to dare cheat her husband.
Rebeka hated two pagan wives of Esau (Gen 26:34). Esau clearly disregarded God’s holy zeal and his grand father Abraham’s will to produce the Holy people (Gen 24:3, “swear by the LORD … you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites”). The role of first-born son was to be the priest of the Lord within the tribe. High priest must marry virgin daughter among Yahweh worshippers (Lev 21:7). Rebekah seemed to be aware of God’s mystic prophesy also, “The older will serve the younger” (Gen 25:23, 27:40, 2Sm 8:14, Cambridge).
Readers need to pay attention to the deeper theological significance of this episode. Bible readers must re-evaluate this event according to God’s approval (Gen 28:10-15). Esau is the one who made irrevocable big mistake by marrying two pagan daughters, and mother Rebekah’s dare decision was righteous for overturning Isaac’s blinded plan. Eventually Isaac also recognized Rebekah’s suggestion, and blessed Jacob again in enlarged form of the benediction previously given (Gen 27:27) and adding ancestral command of Abraham, “Thou shalt not take a wife of the daughters of Canaan” (Gen 24:3; Pulpit).
Therefore, the motive of Jacob’s overnight prayer in the presence of the Lord must be re-evaluated according to God’s sovereign plan. Nobody can pray over night without holy zeal motivated by the presence of the Lord who is molding his holy servant (cf. Henry, E.M. Bounds). The Lord granted the new blessed name Israel (He became a kingly high priest with God) after the holy trials.
Then, what does Ssarah שָׂרָה may mean according to Ancient Hebrew Picture letters?
Ssin, Ss, crown, king, prince
Resh, R, human head, man or someone
Heh, H, theophany, Spirit of God, blessing of God.
Attempt to interpret: Considering the word Ssar in Hebrew means “king or prince.”
1. (He became) a crowned man (Ssar, Ssin +Resh) + by the Spirit of God (Heh).
2. (Jacob became) a prince (Ssar) + with the blessing of the Spirit of God (Heh).
Ssarah must means “He became a prince with the blessing of God (who appeared him).” Considering the description of picture letters, and God’s sovereign decision to make Jacob to put higher position than Esau, KJV’s literal translation seems more relevant. NIV translation (struggled with) seems magnifying human effort rather than God’s grace and his sovereignty.
