Genesis 32:22–32. How Saint Jacob was honored with the name Is-Real

Jacob wrestling with the angel is an incident described in the Book of Genesis (chapter 32:22–32; it is also referenced in the Book of Hosea, chapter 12:3–5).^[1] The "angel" in question is referred to as "man" (אִישׁ: Ish) and "God" (אֵל: El) in Genesis, while Hosea references an "angel" (מַלְאָךְ: Malakh).^[1][2] The account includes the renaming of Jacob as Israel (etymologized as "contends-with-God").^[1]

Gustave Doré, Jacob Wrestling with the Angel (1855)

In the Genesis patriarchal narrative, Jacob spends the night alone on a riverbank during his journey back to Canaan.^[1] He encounters a "man" who proceeds to wrestle with him until dawn.^[1] In the end Jacob is given the name Israel and blessed, while the "man" refuses to give his own name. Jacob then names the place where they wrestled Penuel (פְּנוּאֵל: "face of God" or "facing God").^[3]