Genesis 32: 32 Commentary

Do the Jews know for sure of this part that they are not to eat?

Different version give option of “hollow of the hip” or “hip socket.” It means it is not the back part of the hip. In wrestling the two fight face to face and one would thus touch the front part.

Again, we have to choose between “sinew” (singular and therefore particular, not any sinew) or “muscle” The sinew is again identified as the one that “Shrank.”

Why did the Angel of the Lord touched this part of thigh only?

I am not sure but still venture to make these comments.

In the oriental culture of those days, the masculinity in the case of men and the virginity in the case of women were highly considered important and thereore a very precious God given gift. It was as if it showed what a person really is worth of. It was thus a customry to take oath on one’s masculinity. This is what Abraham did while sending his servant to fetch a wife for his Issac.(Genesis 24:2,9). The sinew is therfore the male organ. The language used here is of euphamistic nature giving identification of the body part in question.

Jabob was very much fearful of his brother Esau. Although he met the angels of God,(Genesis 32:10), it was not sufficient for him. He prayed to God reminding Him of His promises.(Genesis 32:9)So the Angel of the Lord (The second person of sacred trinity that reveals the invisible God)met Jacob and wrestled with him. By tocuhing “the sinew that shrank”, that “which on the hip socket”, He took oath to bless Jacob as per the promises given to him, to Abraham and Isaac.

I would like to be corrected, if I am not right.

By Jayant Christian (wrote 287 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 7/30/2010 00:16 am

#165: Not to eat the (sinew) of the thigh-vein which shrank (Gen. 32:33) (the reference at http://www.jewfaq.org/613.htm is one verse off)

The Owner’s Manual by Ken Power has good commentary on this one (http://theownersmanual.net). It is more a tradition than an actual command. Also, it probably had more meaning in a culture where families or small communities butchered their own meat. I imagine a father or leader made a point of the fact that he was excluding the sinew muscle from edible meat. Otherwise, it would be an odd thing to remember an event by not performing an act. In modern America, with professional butchers and nicely wrapped meat, I don’t have a clue as to what the sinew looks like.

By Terik Q (wrote 65 Bible Commentaries - permalink to this Commentary)
Posted on: 7/27/2010 11:30 am