demands a blessing (v. 26[27]), and the stranger changes Jacob’s name and blesses him (vv. 27–29[28–30]). 32:26[27] Jacob held fast, despite the “man’s” trickery, who resorted to pleading for release. The light of dawn would reveal the identity of the stranger, evidently giving Jacob an advantage over the “man.” Jacob seized his chance, knowing that the figure he encountered was his superior. Was this God’s angel? This would be a reasonable deduction made by the