In the biblical context, "wrestlings" refers to both physical and spiritual struggles encountered by individuals in their journey of faith. The term is most notably associated with the patriarch Jacob, whose encounter with a divine being is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Genesis.

Jacob's Wrestle with God

The most famous instance of wrestling in the Bible is found in Genesis 32:24-32. Jacob, on his return to Canaan, finds himself alone at the ford of the Jabbok River. It is here that he wrestles with a mysterious man until daybreak. The text states, "So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak" (Genesis 32:24). This encounter is not merely physical but deeply spiritual, symbolizing Jacob's struggle with God and his own identity. The man, often interpreted as an angel or a theophany, touches Jacob's hip, dislocating it, yet Jacob refuses to let go until he receives a blessing. The man then blesses him and changes his name to Israel, meaning "he struggles with God," signifying his perseverance and the transformation of his character.

Spiritual Significance

Jacob's wrestling is emblematic of the spiritual struggles believers face. It represents the inner conflict between human will and divine purpose. The narrative highlights themes of persistence in prayer, the quest for divine blessing, and the transformative power of encountering God. Jacob's insistence on receiving a blessing before releasing the man illustrates the importance of seeking God's favor and the blessings that come through perseverance and faith.

Wrestling in the New Testament

While the New Testament does not recount physical wrestling, it uses the metaphor of wrestling to describe spiritual warfare. In Ephesians 6:12, the Apostle Paul writes, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" . Here, the term "struggle" is often translated as "wrestle," indicating the intense and personal nature of spiritual conflict. Believers are called to put on the full armor of God to stand firm against these spiritual adversaries.

Applications for Believers

The concept of wrestling in the Bible encourages believers to engage actively in their faith journey. It acknowledges that struggles, both internal and external, are part of the Christian experience. Through these struggles, believers are refined and drawn closer to God. The account of Jacob serves as a reminder that God is present in our struggles and that perseverance in faith leads to spiritual growth and blessing.

Conclusion

The biblical theme of wrestling, both literal and metaphorical, underscores the reality of struggle in the life of faith. It calls believers to engage with God earnestly, to seek His blessing, and to stand firm in the face of spiritual challenges. Through wrestling, believers are transformed and strengthened in their walk with God.5319. naphtulim -- wrestlings
... 5318, 5319. naphtulim. 5320 . wrestlings. Transliteration: naphtulim
Phonetic Spelling: (naf-tool') Short Definition: wrestlings. ...
/hebrew/5319.htm - 6k

Chapter xxx
... And Rachel said: Wrestlings with God have I wrestled together with my sister and
I have prevailed, and she called his name Naphtali (Wrestling). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxx.htm

Homilies on S. Ignatius and S. Babylas.
... The persons are different: The table is one. The wrestlings are varied: The crown
is one. The contests are manifold: The prize is the same. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on s ignatius and.htm

Prayer and Desire
... Do we really feel these inward pantings of desire after heavenly treasures? Do the
inbred groanings of desire stir our souls to mighty wrestlings? Alas for us! ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the necessity of prayer/iv prayer and desire.htm

Our Lord's Prayer for his People's Sanctification
... that he was in extraordinary danger. The midnight wrestlings of the Son
of man were for his people. In the sacred record, however ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/our lords prayer for his.htm

Even as Things Are, if Your Thought is to Spend this Period of ...
... realities. Would you have also fightings and wrestlings? Well, of these
there is no lacking, and they are not of slight account. ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter xxix even as things.htm

On the Arrival of the Egyptians.
... the tail of a snake after it is cut off; the one of whom, after having departed
this life in a good old age after many conflicts and wrestlings, looks upon us ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxiv on the arrival.htm

Reasonable Rapture
... But here we see a soul led up by its wrestlings to apprehend it, and as was said
of a statesman, 'calling a new world into existence to redress the balance of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/reasonable rapture.htm

An Exhortation to the People Respecting Fortitude and Patience...
... If there were no trial, there would be no crown; if there were no wrestlings, there
would be no prize; if there were no lists [1189] marked out, there would be ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily iv an exhortation to.htm

Burleigh
... In a letter to a friend he said: "It is not without strong wrestlings that doubt
and murmurings are put under my feet and I am enabled to struggle up into the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/nutter/hymn writers of the church/burleigh.htm

So He was Alone in the Inner Mountain...
... There then he passed his life, and endured such great wrestlings, Not against flesh
and blood [1094] ,' as it is written, but against opposing demons, as we ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony section 51.htm

Wrestlings (1 Occurrence)
...Wrestlings (1 Occurrence). Genesis 30:8 Rachel said, "With mighty wrestlings have
I wrestled with my sister, and have prevailed." She named him Naphtali. ...
/w/wrestlings.htm - 6k

Greatness (63 Occurrences)
... like the great ('El) mountains," the Revised Version (British and American) "mountains
of God"; in Genesis 30:8, "with great ('Elohim) wrestlings," the Revised ...
/g/greatness.htm - 35k

Naphtali (51 Occurrences)
... He was full brother of Dan (Genesis 30:7). At his birth Rachel is said to have
exclaimed, naphtule 'Elohim niphtalti, "wrestlings of God"-ie "mighty wrestlings...
/n/naphtali.htm - 35k

Wrestling (8 Occurrences)

/w/wrestling.htm - 9k

Great (10383 Occurrences)
... like the great ('El) mountains," the Revised Version (British and American) "mountains
of God"; in Genesis 30:8, "with great ('Elohim) wrestlings," the Revised ...
/g/great.htm - 35k

Napthali (1 Occurrence)
... Genesis 30:8 and Rachel saith, 'With wrestlings of God I have wrestled with my sister,
yea, I have prevailed;' and she calleth his name Napthali. (YLT). ...
/n/napthali.htm - 6k

Naph'tali (47 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Genesis 30:8 And Rachel said: 'With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled
with my sister, and have prevailed.' And she called his name Naphtali. ...
/n/naph'tali.htm - 18k

Wrestled (6 Occurrences)
... Wrestled (6 Occurrences). Genesis 30:8 Rachel said, "With mighty wrestlings have
I wrestled with my sister, and have prevailed." She named him Naphtali. ...
/w/wrestled.htm - 8k

Won (24 Occurrences)
... Genesis 30:8 Rachel said, "With mighty wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister,
and have prevailed." She named him Naphtali. (See NIV). ...
/w/won.htm - 13k

Wrests (1 Occurrence)

/w/wrests.htm - 6k

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