Bible Strands
Genesis 32:29
And Jacob requested, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed Jacob there.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jacob asks the wrestling opponent to disclose his name. The opponent questions the value of that inquiry and then directly blesses Jacob at that location.
The words — הַגִּידָה נָּא שְׁמֶךָ (ha.gida na sh'mekha) renders literally as "tell please name-your." The man’s response לָמָּה (la-mah) translates as "why" and functions as a direct challenge to the request.
The thread — The pattern of questioned divine identity runs through Judges 13:18, where the angel of the LORD deflects a direct inquiry about his name, and Job 11:7, which frames human inability to comprehend the Almighty's limits. The blessing motif connects to Genesis 32:28, where the same figure renames Jacob and establishes his new identity.
Why it lands — The text records that God's identity resists full human cataloging, yet he still acts decisively to bless. The reader must confront the demand to receive divine favor without demanding full disclosure of divine nature.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
Cross-references
- Judges 13:16 And the angel of the LORD replied, “Even if I stay, I will not eat your food. But if you prepare a burnt offering, offer it to the LORD.” For Manoah did not know that it was the angel of the LORD.
- Job 11:7 Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?
- Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
- Genesis 27:28 May God give to you the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth—an abundance of grain and new wine.
- Genesis 28:13 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.
- Proverbs 30:4 Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know!
- Hosea 6:1 Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bind up our wounds.
- Luke 1:19 “I am Gabriel,” replied the angel. “I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
- Genesis 28:3 May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, so that you may become a company of peoples.
- Genesis 32:26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”