What do the names Jacob and Israel mean in this story?
In this story, Jacob means the deceiver, representing the natural man, while Israel means prince with God, representing the spiritual man. God changes Jacob’s name after he wrestles and prevails, showing his faith and transformation into a new man in God.
Les explains that after Jacob wrestled with the Lord and said, “I will not let you go until you bless me,” God asked him his name, and he answered, “Jacob.” God then said his name would no longer be Jacob but Israel, because as a prince he had power with God and with men and had prevailed. Les teaches that Jacob means “the deceiver,” which was the natural, while Israel means “prince with God.” This marked Jacob’s true salvation, his new birth, and since he was now a new man in God and in Christ, God gave him a new name. Les reminds us not to lose sight of those two names of Jacob and his offspring, because his rule of thumb is that first comes the natural, then the spiritual.
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
More Questions
What is the difference between Jacob and Israel in the Bible?
In the Bible, Jacob refers to his unbelieving old state, while Israel refers to the believing Jacob who became a whole new man.