Глава 32

Gen.32:1–2. “And the angels of God met him, and Jacob said as soon as he saw them: “This is the camp of God.” , and called this place the name “stan.” Where the word “stan” appears in this passage, the Hebrew text uses the word manaim ( מַ ֽ חֲנָ ֽ יִם). This information is necessary in order to understand what kind of area we are talking about, if in any other place of Scripture this word appears without translation. And it is wonderful that Jacob, intending to go to his brother who was in enmity with him, was greeted by the choirs of Angels accompanying him. Gen.32:9–10. “And Jacob said: “O God of my father Isaac, the Lord, who said to me: ‘Return to your land, and I will bless you,’ I am not worthy of all Your mercy and all Your truth, which You have created for Your servant.” Instead of what I put here (“I am not worthy”), the Greek and Latin books contain something else that creates confusion in understanding. Gen.32:27–28. “And [Someone] said to him: “What is your name?” He answered: “Jacob.” And [Someone] said to him: “You will no longer be called by the name Jacob, but you will be called by the name Israel, since you have become strong with God, and therefore you will be strong with people.” In the first book of Antiquities, Josephus believes that Jacob was called Israel for the reason that he wrestled with the Angel. I have carefully researched this opinion, but I have not been able to find anything similar in the Hebrew text. And why do I need to ask everyone their opinion when the etymology of this name is Himself explained by the One who gave it? “You will not,” He says, “be called by the name of Jacob, but your name will be Israel.” Why? Translation of Aquila - ὅ τι ἤ ρξας μετὰ θεοῦ, Symmachus - ὅ τι ἤ ρξω πρὸς θεόν, Seventy Interpreters and Theodotion - ὅ τι ὲνίσχυσας μετὰ θεοῦ. The fact is that the word sarith, which comes from the name Israel, means “ruler”. Therefore, the meaning is this: “You will not be called by the name “he who sets foot,” that is, Jacob, but you will be called by the name “he who rules with God,” that is, Israel. Because just as I am the Ruler, so you, who managed to fight with Me, will be called a ruler. And if you were able to fight with Me - God (and maybe an Angel, since many understand differently), then even more so you can with people, including Esau. Don’t be afraid of him at all!” However, the Book of Names translates Israel as “the man who sees God” or “the mind that sees God.” This is the hackneyed opinion of almost everyone who has discussed this topic. But it seems to me that this is an incorrect, arbitrary translation. Because in this case, Israel is written using the letters iod, sin, res, aleph, lamed, which is translated as “ruler of God” or “direct of God,” that is, εύθύτατος θεοῦ. While “a man who sees God” is written using the following letters: aleph, iod, sin (so the word “husband” consists of three letters in writing, and is pronounced as is ( אש )); “seeing” – from three letters: res, aleph, he, pronounced – raa (ראה); then el ( אל ) – from two: aleph and lamed and is translated “God” or “strong”. Therefore, although those who have translated "Israel" as "the man or mind that sees God" have great authority, and their eloquence weighs upon me like a looming shadow, yet I am more guided by the authority of Scripture and the Angel (or God) who called Jacob Israel, than by the influence of any worldly eloquence. And this is what follows: Gen.32:29–30. “And He blessed Jacob there. And Jacob called that place by the name “The Face of God,” because [he said]: “I saw God face to face, and my soul survived.” In the Hebrew text it is pronounced phanuel (פְּנִיאֵ ֑ ל). This information is necessary in order to understand that this is the same place whose name in other books of Holy Scripture is read in Greek in the same way as it is written in Hebrew - Phanuel.