**Here is the critical moment: Jacob finally owns his name. Previously, when his blind father, Isaac, had asked him his name, Jacob had lied, saying, “I am Esau.”
But after this encounter with God, Jacob finally speaks the truth, replying, “My name is Jacob.” And in saying this there is a kind of confession: “My name is Jacob. My name is deceiver, grabber, usurper, con artist, and shyster!”**
Our priest talked about this at Mass.
Jacob didn’t know who he was fighting at first — could it have been the spirit of Esau, as someone mentioned to me in FReepmail?
Then Jacob thinks that this person is an angel.
Finally, Jacob realizes he has been wrestling with God and confesses his real name.
God sets things straight, honoring Jacob, but still giving him a reminder of his misdeed. Could that be true?
Various Jewish commentators invariably identify the angel that Jacob wrestled with as the Angel of Esau.