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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Hosea 12:3 In the womb he grasped his brother's heel, and in his vigor he wrestled with God.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/hosea/12-3.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/28_Hos_12_03.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Hosea 12:3 - A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, Jacob" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="In the womb he grasped his brother's heel, and in his vigor he wrestled with God." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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as a man he struggled with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/hosea/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Even in the womb, Jacob struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/hosea/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he strove with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/hosea/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel, and in his vigor he wrestled with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/hosea/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/hosea/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He took his brother by the heel in the womb, And in his strength he struggled with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/hosea/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And in his mature strength he contended with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/hosea/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And in his maturity he contended with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/hosea/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And in his maturity he contended with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/hosea/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And in his maturity he wrestled with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/hosea/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />In <i>their mother’s</i> womb he took his brother by the heel, And in his maturity he contended with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/hosea/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel, and as an adult he wrestled with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/hosea/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the womb he grasped his brother&#8217s heel, and as an adult he wrestled with God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/hosea/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he had power with God:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/hosea/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Even before Jacob was born, he cheated his brother, and when he grew up, he fought against God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/hosea/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he had power with God:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/hosea/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Their ancestor Jacob held on to his brother's heel while the two of them were in their mother's womb. When Jacob became a man, he struggled with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/hosea/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Their ancestor Jacob struggled with his twin brother Esau while the two of them were still in their mother's womb; when Jacob grew up, he fought against God--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/hosea/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He circumvented his brother in the womb, and as an adult he fought with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/hosea/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />In the womb he grasped his brother?s heel, and in his vigor he wrestled with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/hosea/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />In the womb he attacked his brother; in his manly vigor he struggled with God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/hosea/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he contended with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/hosea/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/hosea/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he contended with God. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/hosea/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />In the womb he took his brother by the heel, "" And by his strength he was a prince with God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/hosea/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And by his strength he was a prince with God,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/hosea/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />In the belly he circumvented his brother, and by his strength he was a leader with God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/hosea/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />In the womb he supplanted his brother: and by his strength he had success with an angel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/hosea/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />In the womb, he supplanted his brother; for in his good fortune, he had been guided by an angel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/hosea/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />In the womb he supplanted his brother, and in his vigor he contended with a divine being; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/hosea/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />In the womb he tried to supplant his brother, and in his manhood he strove with God.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/hosea/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />In the womb he deceived his brother, and by his might he became great in the presence of God;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/hosea/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />For he deceived his brother in the womb and in his strength he was made great before God<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/hosea/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And by his strength he strove with a godlike being;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/hosea/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his labours he had power with God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/hosea/12-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xpPG1oLnpGk?start=1828" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/hosea/12.htm">A Reproof of Ephraim, Judah, Jacob</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>The LORD also brings a charge against Judah. He will punish Jacob according to his ways and repay him according to his deeds. <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/990.htm" title="990: bab·be·ṭen (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- From an unused root probably meaning to be hollow; the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything.">In the womb</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’ā·ḥîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">he grasped his brother’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/6117.htm" title="6117: ‘ā·qaḇ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To follow at the heel, assail insidiously, circumvent, overreach. ">heel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/202.htm" title="202: ū·ḇə·’ō·w·nōw (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Vigor, wealth. Probably from the same as 'aven; ability, power, wealth.">and in his vigor</a> <a href="/hebrew/8280.htm" title="8280: śā·rāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To persist, exert oneself, persevere. A primitive root; to prevail.">he wrestled</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’eṯ- (Prep) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">with</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">God.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Yes, he struggled with the angel and prevailed; he wept and sought His favor; he found Him at Bethel and spoke with Him there—…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/32-24.htm">Genesis 32:24-28</a></span><br />So Jacob was left all alone, and there a man wrestled with him until daybreak. / When the man saw that he could not overpower Jacob, he struck the socket of Jacob’s hip and dislocated it as they wrestled. / Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/25-26.htm">Genesis 25:26</a></span><br />After this, his brother came out grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob. And Isaac was sixty years old when the twins were born.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/27-36.htm">Genesis 27:36</a></span><br />So Esau declared, “Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has cheated me twice. He took my birthright, and now he has taken my blessing.” Then he asked, “Haven’t you saved a blessing for me?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/32-9.htm">Genesis 32:9-12</a></span><br />Then Jacob declared, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, the LORD who told me, ‘Go back to your country and to your kindred, and I will make you prosper,’ / I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness You have shown Your servant. Indeed, with only my staff I came across the Jordan, but now I have become two camps. / Please deliver me from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am afraid that he may come and attack me and the mothers and children with me. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/32-30.htm">Genesis 32:30</a></span><br />So Jacob named the place Peniel, saying, “Indeed, I have seen God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-12.htm">Genesis 28:12-15</a></span><br />And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder. / And there at the top the LORD was standing and saying, “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you now lie. / Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and east and north and south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/35-9.htm">Genesis 35:9-12</a></span><br />After Jacob had returned from Paddan-aram, God appeared to him again and blessed him. / And God said to him, “Though your name is Jacob, you will no longer be called Jacob. Instead, your name will be Israel.” So God named him Israel. / And God told him, “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation—even a company of nations—shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/48-15.htm">Genesis 48:15-16</a></span><br />Then he blessed Joseph and said: “May the God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, / the angel who has redeemed me from all harm—may He bless these boys. And may they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they grow into a multitude upon the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/1-2.htm">Malachi 1:2-3</a></span><br />“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved, / but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/9-10.htm">Romans 9:10-13</a></span><br />Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. / Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, / not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/11-20.htm">Hebrews 11:20-21</a></span><br />By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning the future. / By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-11.htm">1 Corinthians 10:11</a></span><br />Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-12.htm">Philippians 3:12-14</a></span><br />Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. / Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, / I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-16.htm">James 5:16-18</a></span><br />Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. / Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. / Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-1.htm">Luke 18:1-8</a></span><br />Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: / “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. / And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:</p><p class="hdg">took.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/25-26.htm">Genesis 25:26</a></b></br> And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac <i>was</i> threescore years old when she bare them.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/9-11.htm">Romans 9:11</a></b></br> (For <i>the children</i> being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)</p><p class="hdg">had, etc.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/32-24.htm">Genesis 32:24-28</a></b></br> And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/james/5-16.htm">James 5:16-18</a></b></br> Confess <i>your</i> faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/hosea/2-9.htm">Body</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-10.htm">Brother's</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-24.htm">Contended</a> <a href="/hosea/10-9.htm">Fighting</a> <a href="/hosea/11-3.htm">Foot</a> <a href="/psalms/82-6.htm">Godlike</a> <a href="/ezekiel/21-15.htm">Grasped</a> <a href="/psalms/41-9.htm">Heel</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/11-9.htm">Manhood</a> <a href="/james/3-2.htm">Maturity</a> <a href="/hosea/10-14.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/hosea/7-9.htm">Power</a> <a href="/hosea/3-4.htm">Prince</a> <a href="/hosea/10-13.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/daniel/7-2.htm">Strove</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-6.htm">Struggled</a> <a href="/hosea/9-16.htm">Womb</a> <a href="/genesis/32-28.htm">Wrestled</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/micah/6-7.htm">Body</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-12.htm">Brother's</a> <a href="/john/6-52.htm">Contended</a> <a href="/joel/3-9.htm">Fighting</a> <a href="/amos/2-15.htm">Foot</a> <a href="/zechariah/12-8.htm">Godlike</a> <a href="/ephesians/3-18.htm">Grasped</a> <a href="/john/13-18.htm">Heel</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-13.htm">Manhood</a> <a href="/luke/8-14.htm">Maturity</a> <a href="/micah/7-6.htm">Mother</a> <a href="/hosea/12-4.htm">Power</a> <a href="/hosea/12-4.htm">Prince</a> <a href="/joel/2-11.htm">Strength</a> <a href="/hosea/12-4.htm">Strove</a> <a href="/hosea/12-4.htm">Struggled</a> <a href="/hosea/13-13.htm">Womb</a> <a href="/hosea/12-4.htm">Wrestled</a><div class="vheading2">Hosea 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hosea/12-1.htm">A reproof of Ephraim, Judah, and Jacob.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hosea/12-3.htm">By former favors he exhorts to repentance.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/hosea/12-7.htm">Ephraim's sins provoke God.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hosea/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/hosea/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/hosea/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel</b><br>This phrase refers to the birth of Jacob and Esau, as recorded in <a href="/genesis/25-24.htm">Genesis 25:24-26</a>. Jacob's grasping of Esau's heel symbolizes his future struggle for supremacy and blessing, which is a recurring theme in his life. The act of grasping the heel is significant in Hebrew culture, as it foreshadows Jacob's later actions to secure the birthright and blessing meant for the firstborn. This event is foundational in understanding the character of Jacob, whose name itself means "he who grasps the heel" or "supplanter." The imagery of the heel is also seen in <a href="/genesis/3-15.htm">Genesis 3:15</a>, where it is prophesied that the seed of the woman will crush the serpent's head, indicating a struggle between good and evil.<p><b>and in his vigor he wrestled with God</b><br>This phrase refers to the pivotal event in Jacob's life when he wrestled with a divine being at Peniel, as described in <a href="/genesis/32-24.htm">Genesis 32:24-30</a>. This encounter is both literal and symbolic, representing Jacob's struggle with God and man throughout his life. The wrestling match signifies a turning point, where Jacob's persistence and determination are met with divine intervention, resulting in a blessing and a new name, Israel, meaning "he struggles with God." This event is a type of Christ, as it prefigures the ultimate struggle and victory of Jesus, who wrestled with the powers of sin and death. The location, Peniel, meaning "face of God," underscores the significance of encountering God directly. This wrestling also highlights the theme of human weakness and divine strength, as Jacob's physical struggle leads to spiritual transformation.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jacob.htm">Jacob</a></b><br>The central figure in this verse, Jacob is one of the patriarchs of Israel. His life is marked by struggle and transformation, beginning with his birth when he grasped his brother Esau's heel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/e/esau.htm">Esau</a></b><br>Jacob's twin brother, whom Jacob grasped by the heel at birth. This act foreshadows the ongoing struggle and rivalry between the two brothers.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The divine being with whom Jacob wrestles, symbolizing a pivotal moment of spiritual struggle and transformation in Jacob's life.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/p/penuel.htm">Penuel</a></b><br>The place where Jacob wrestled with God, leading to his name being changed to Israel, meaning "he struggles with God."<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The name given to Jacob after his wrestling with God, signifying his new identity and the nation that would descend from him.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_struggle.htm">The Nature of Struggle</a></b><br>Jacob's life illustrates that spiritual growth often involves struggle. Just as Jacob wrestled with God, believers are called to wrestle with their faith, seeking deeper understanding and transformation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_human_agency.htm">God's Sovereignty and Human Agency</a></b><br>Jacob's account shows the interplay between divine sovereignty and human action. While God has a plan, Jacob's actions and choices are significant in the unfolding of that plan.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/identity_and_transformation.htm">Identity and Transformation</a></b><br>Jacob's transformation into Israel signifies the new identity believers receive in Christ. Just as Jacob was changed through his encounter with God, Christians are transformed through their relationship with Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_faith.htm">Perseverance in Faith</a></b><br>Jacob's persistence in wrestling with God serves as a model for believers to persevere in their faith, trusting in God's promises even amidst challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_names.htm">The Importance of Names</a></b><br>The change from Jacob to Israel highlights the significance of names and identity in Scripture. Believers are given a new name and identity in Christ, reflecting their new life and purpose.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_hosea_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Hosea 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_jacob_wrestle_with_god.htm">Hosea 12:3–4: How can Jacob physically wrestle with God if God is portrayed elsewhere as omnipotent and spiritual? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_jacob_wrestle_with_god.htm">What is the significance of Jacob wrestling with God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'adam'_in_hosea_6_7_an_anachronism.htm">In Hosea 6:7, is the reference to “Adam” a historical anachronism, and can it be confirmed or disproven archeologically? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_the_ten_commandments_relevant_now.htm">What is the meaning of Genesis 3:15?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/hosea/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3, 4) <span class= "bld">Had power.--</span>Should be, <span class= "ital">strove.</span> Prayers and tears were the weapons used in the memorable struggle for pardon, reconciliation, peace in the self-conquest as well as the God-conquest which was achieved. "At Bethel He (Jehovah) found him (Jacob)" not once only, but on repeated occasions (<a href="/genesis/28-11.htm" title="And he lighted on a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.">Genesis 28:11</a>; <a href="/genesis/35-1.htm" title="And God said to Jacob, Arise, go up to Bethel, and dwell there: and make there an altar to God, that appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.">Genesis 35:1</a>),and in the subsequent history of the children of Israel.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/hosea/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power</span> (margin, <span class="accented">was a prince</span>, or, <span class="accented">behaved himself princely</span>) <span class="accented">with</span> God. In this verse and the following the prophet looks away back into the far-distant past; and this retrospect, which is suggested by the names Jacob and Israel, reminds him of two well-known events in the life of the patriarch-The meaning and intention of this reminiscence are differently interpreted. The two leading views are the following: <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> Some are of opinion that the prophet means to give an example by way of warning, and to mention a trait of Jacob's overreaching cunning, and likewise of his violence, and thereby show that Jacob had incurred guilt in a manner resembling that of the then present generation; that is to say, his conduct had been like to theirs in deceit, lying, and violence. But <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> according to others, and we agree with them, the object of the prophet in these verses is to admonish them to imitate the conduct of their progenitor, and to remind them of the distinction which he had obtained thereby, as an encourage-merit to them to go and do likewise. <p><span class="note_emph">(3)</span> Another interpretation, somewhat similar to . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/hosea/12-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">In the womb</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּבֶּ֖טֶן</span> <span class="translit">(bab·be·ṭen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_990.htm">Strong's 990: </a> </span><span class="str2">The belly, the womb, the bosom, body of anything</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he grasped his brother’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אָחִ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḥîw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">heel,</span><br /><span class="heb">עָקַ֣ב</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·qaḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6117.htm">Strong's 6117: </a> </span><span class="str2">To follow at the heel, assail insidiously, circumvent, overreach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and in his vigor</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבְאוֹנ֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇə·’ō·w·nōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_202.htm">Strong's 202: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ability, power, wealth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he wrestled</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׂרָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(śā·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8280.htm">Strong's 8280: </a> </span><span class="str2">To persist, exert oneself, persevere</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶת־</span> <span class="translit">(’eṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">God.</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/hosea/12-3.htm">Hosea 12:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/hosea/12-3.htm">Hosea 12:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/hosea/12-3.htm">Hosea 12:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/hosea/12-3.htm">Hosea 12:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/hosea/12-3.htm">Hosea 12:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/hosea/12-3.htm">Hosea 12:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/hosea/12-3.htm">Hosea 12:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/hosea/12-3.htm">Hosea 12:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/hosea/12-3.htm">Hosea 12:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/hosea/12-3.htm">Hosea 12:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/hosea/12-3.htm">OT Prophets: Hosea 12:3 In the womb he took his brother (Ho Hs Hos.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/hosea/12-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Hosea 12:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Hosea 12:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/hosea/12-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Hosea 12:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Hosea 12:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>