As Jacob journeyed onward, a host of angels appeared on the road before him. Their forms shimmered like fire in the dawn. Startled, Jacob whispered,
"This… this is the camp of God."
And he named that place Mahanaim — The Two Camps.
But the shadow of Esau loomed ahead. Jacob sent messengers across the wilderness into Seir, the land of Edom.
Their message was humble:
"To my master Esau, from your servant Jacob:
I have sojourned long with Laban. I return now with flocks and herds, servants and children.
May I find favor in your eyes."
The messengers returned with news that chilled Jacob's heart:
"Esau is coming to meet you. Four hundred men are with him."
Fear and dread pierced Jacob like a spear. He split his caravan into two camps, whispering to himself,
"If Esau strikes one, the other may yet escape."
That night, Jacob fell to his knees in prayer.
"O God of Abraham, O Fear of Isaac!
You commanded me to return to my land and promised to prosper me.
I am unworthy of Your kindness. With only a staff I crossed this river, and now I return with two great camps.
Deliver me, I beg You, from Esau's hand—for I fear he will slay my wives, my children.
But You promised to make my descendants countless, like the sand of the sea."
Still trembling, Jacob prepared gifts to soften his brother's rage: goats and rams, camels with their young, cows and bulls, donkeys in abundance. He sent them in waves, each herd driven ahead with careful instructions:
"Say to Esau, 'These belong to your servant Jacob. They are a gift to my lord Esau. And Jacob follows behind.'"
Perhaps the gifts would turn wrath into mercy.
That night, Jacob led his wives, his sons, and all he had across the ford of the Jabbok River. When all were safe on the far side, Jacob remained alone.
But in the silence, a man appeared.
No word was spoken. Suddenly, they grappled. The night became a battlefield. Dust rose, breath heaved, and Jacob wrestled with the stranger till the stars trembled above.
When the man saw he could not overcome him, he reached out and touched Jacob's hip—and instantly the socket was wrenched in agony. Still Jacob clung, refusing to yield.
"Let me go, for the dawn is breaking," the man said.
But Jacob, through pain and tears, cried,
"I will not let you go—unless you bless me."
The figure stilled. His voice carried the weight of eternity.
"What is your name?"
"Jacob."
"No longer shall you be Jacob. Your name shall be Israel—for you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed."
Weak and trembling, Jacob whispered,
"Tell me your name…"
But the stranger only replied,
"Why do you ask?"
And there, at the river's edge, the man blessed him.
Jacob named the place Peniel — Face of God.
"For I have seen God face to face… and yet my life was spared."
As the sun rose, Jacob crossed Peniel, limping upon his wounded hip.
From that day, the children of Israel remembered—and ate no meat from the tendon near the hip socket, for it was there that God had touched their father.