Genesis 32:31 Meaning and Explanation
“And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jacob limps away from Penuel in the morning light, his hip injury visible to all.
The Context of Genesis 32:31
Jacob's visible limp becomes the physical sign of his spiritual transformation and divine encounter.
What Does Genesis 32:31 Mean?
As Jacob crosses the ford at dawn and moves away from the place of encounter, the sun rises. His movements are marked by a pronounced limp—he 'halts' or limps upon his thigh, the permanent physical mark of his wrestling match. This ongoing disability is visible evidence of the night's encounter.
The rising sun contrasts with the darkness of the wrestling. Jacob emerges into daylight marked forever by his encounter with God—the hip injury is a permanent badge of his struggle and transformation.
Genesis 32:31 in the Original Language
tzela' (צְלַע), 'halted' or 'limped'—the word suggests a lasting handicap, not a temporary injury, marking Jacob permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 32:31
What does Genesis 32:31 mean?
Jacob limps away from Penuel in the morning light, his hip injury visible to all.
What is the context of Genesis 32:31?
Jacob's visible limp becomes the physical sign of his spiritual transformation and divine encounter.