Genesis 32 · Verse 31

Genesis 32:31

And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
Genesis 32:31, King James Version

Genesis 32:31 in other translations

BSBThe sun rose above him as he passed by Penuel, and he was limping because of his hip.
WEBThe sun rose on him as he passed over Peniel, and he limped because of his thigh.
ASVAnd the sun rose upon him as he passed over Penuel, and he limped upon his thigh.
YLTand the sun riseth on him when he hath passed over Penuel, and he is halting on his thigh;
DARBYAnd as he passed over Peniel, the sun rose upon him; and he limped upon his hip.
BBEAnd while he was going past Peniel, the sun came up. And he went with unequal steps because of his damaged leg.
WebsterAnd as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.

What does Genesis 32:31 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
31. halted upon his thigh--As Paul had a thorn in the flesh given to humble him, lest he should be too elevated by the abundant revelations granted him [2Co 12:7], so Jacob's lameness was to keep him mindful of this mysterious scene, and that it was in gracious condescension the victory was yielded to him. In the greatest of these spiritual victories which, through faith, any of God's people obtain, there is always something to humble them.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 31 The sun rose upon him - Did the Prophet Malachi refer to this, Mal 4:2 : Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings? Possibly with the rising of the sun, which may here be understood as emblematical of the Sun of righteousness - the Lord Jesus, the pain and weakness of his thigh passed away, and he felt both in soul and body that he was healed of his plagues.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Genesis 32:24-32

A great while before day, Jacob being alone, more fully spread his fears before God in prayer. While thus employed, One in the likeness of a man wrestled with him. When the spirit helpeth our infirmities, and our earnest and vast desires can scarcely find words to utter them, and we still mean more than we can express, then prayer is indeed wrestling with God. However tried or discouraged, we shall prevail; and…

Read the full comment on Genesis 32:24-32 →

Genesis 32:31 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיִּֽזְרַֽח\־vai.yiz.rach-and it roseH2224
ל֣וֹloto <the> him
הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁha.She.meshthe sunH8121
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רka.'a.Sherjust whenH834
עָבַ֖ר'a.Varhe passed overH5674
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
פְּנוּאֵ֑לpe.nu.'ElPenuelH6439
וְה֥וּאve.Hu'and heH1931
צֹלֵ֖עַtzo.Le.a'[was] limpingH6760
עַל\־'al-onH5921
יְרֵכֽוֹ\׃ye.re.Khothigh hisH3409

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Genesis 32:31

  • 2 Corinthians 12:7

    And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

  • Malachi 4:2

    But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

  • Genesis 19:15

    And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.

  • Psalms 38:17

    For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.

  • Genesis 32:25

    And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:9

    And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

  • Judges 8:8

    And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise: and the men of Penuel answered him as the men of Succoth had answered him.

  • Genesis 19:23

    The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
rose upon.
19:15,23; Mal 4:2
he halted.
25; Ps 38:17; 2Co 12:7,9

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Genesis 32:30

    And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

  • Genesis 32:31

    And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.

  • Genesis 32:32

    Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank.

Read all of Genesis 32

Genesis 32:31 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y salióle el sol pasado que hubo á Peniel; y cojeaba de su anca.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et Jacob appela le nom du lieu Peniel: Car j’ai vu Dieu face à face, et mon âme a été délivrée.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und die Sonne ging ihm auf, als er über Pniel hinaus war; und er hinkte an seiner Hüfte.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Ortusque est ei statim sol, postquam transgressus est Phanuel: ipse vero claudicabat pede.