יִשְׂרָאֵל
Yisrael
He who wrestles with God, God prevails
Yisrael (יִשְׂרָאֵל) is a Hebrew word meaning “he who wrestles with god, god prevails,” pronounced “yis-ra-EL.” Derived from the root שׂ-ר-ה + א-ל, yisrael appears 2,500 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H3478).
| Hebrew | יִשְׂרָאֵל |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Yisrael |
| Pronunciation | yis-ra-EL |
| Meaning | He who wrestles with God, God prevails |
| Root Letters | שׂ-ר-ה + א-ל |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 2,500× |
| Key Verse | Genesis 32:28 |
| Strong's Number | H3478 |
| Category | Additional Important Words |
The name Israel was born not in a palace or a temple, but in the dirt beside a river at midnight. Genesis 32 tells the extraordinary story of Jacob — deceiver, manipulator, fugitive — wrestling all night with a mysterious figure who turns out to be God Himself. As dawn breaks, Jacob clings on despite a dislocated hip and cries, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.' And God responds by giving him a new name: Yisrael (יִשְׂרָאֵל) — 'he who wrestles with God.' This is the only name in the Bible that defines a people by their struggle with the divine. Israel is not the name of those who have it all figured out. It is the name of those who refuse to let go of God, even when the encounter is painful, even when it leaves them limping. Every person who has ever argued with God, cried out in the dark, or demanded an answer from heaven — you are walking in the footsteps of the one who was renamed Israel. Honest struggle with God is not a sign of weak faith; it is the very thing God names, blesses, and honors.
Key Bible Verse: Genesis 32:28
“Then he said, 'Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel (Yisrael), for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.'”
What Is the Root of Yisrael in Hebrew?
Yisrael combines 'yisra' (he struggles/strives/prevails) with 'El' (God). The name can mean 'he who wrestles with God' or 'God prevails/rules.' Both interpretations are theologically rich: we struggle with God, and God ultimately prevails in our lives.
What Does Yisrael Mean in the Bible?
While 'Yisrael' appears over 2,500 times referring to the nation, its origin story in Genesis 32:28 reveals its core meaning: the one who wrestles with God and prevails. This name defines the entire character of Israel's relationship with God — intimate, honest, persistent, and transformative.
How Is Yisrael Used in Modern Hebrew?
Jewish intellectual tradition is built on respectful argument — with texts, teachers, and even God. The Talmud preserves disagreements rather than resolving them, reflecting the Yisrael principle that wrestling with truth is holier than pretending to have all the answers.
How to Use Yisrael in Prayer & Worship
Give yourself permission to wrestle with God. Bring your doubts, your anger, your confusion — and refuse to let go until you receive His blessing. God is not threatened by your honesty. He renamed a wrestler as the father of His people. Your struggle is sacred.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yisrael
How do you say “He who wrestles with God” in Hebrew?
“He who wrestles with God” in Hebrew is Yisrael (יִשְׂרָאֵל), pronounced “yis-ra-EL.” Yisrael combines 'yisra' (he struggles/strives/prevails) with 'El' (God). The name can mean 'he who wrestles with God' or 'God prevails/rules.' Both interpretations are theologically rich: we struggle with God, and God ultimately prevails in our lives.
What does Yisrael mean in the Bible?
Yisrael (יִשְׂרָאֵל) means “He who wrestles with God, God prevails” in Biblical Hebrew. While 'Yisrael' appears over 2,500 times referring to the nation, its origin story in Genesis 32:28 reveals its core meaning: the one who wrestles with God and prevails. This name defines the entire character of Israel's relationship with God — intimate, honest, persistent, and transformative.
How do you pronounce Yisrael?
Yisrael is pronounced “yis-ra-EL.” The word comes from the Hebrew root שׂ-ר-ה + א-ל.
Is wrestling with God acceptable in the Bible?
Absolutely. Jacob wrestled with God and was blessed, not punished. Job argued with God and was vindicated. The Psalms are full of honest struggle, complaint, and demand. God does not want polite distance — He wants real relationship. Wrestling with God is a sign of intimate faith, not disrespect. God honors those who refuse to let go.
Why did God dislocate Jacob's hip?
The hip dislocation (Genesis 32:25) shows that wrestling with God changes you — you don't walk away the same. Jacob prevailed but bore the wound forever, walking with a limp. Encounters with God leave a mark. The wound was also a gift: every step reminded Jacob of the night God met him, fought with him, and blessed him.
What does 'Am Yisrael Chai' mean?
'Am Yisrael Chai' (The People of Israel Live) is a declaration of Jewish resilience. The people defined by wrestling with God have survived slavery, exile, persecution, and attempted genocide for over 3,000 years. The phrase carries defiant hope: the nation named for struggle is a nation that endures.
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H3478: Yisrael
- Bible Gateway — Genesis 32:28 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for שׂ-ר-ה + א-ל
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