Why is Jacob's name changed to Israel?

Answer by  Risper (45)

God appeared as a man and wrestled with Jacob who depended on his flesh, but later depended on his abiltity to run away when the time came for him to do so. After a long struggle God gave him His favor and named him Israel Meaning perserverer.

Answer by  Tracey62 (316)

In the bible, a person's name denotes a trait or characteristic. In the case of Jacob, as found in Genesis 32:22-28, he struggled with God and with men and overcame. Because of his success, God renamed Jacob Israel. The name Israel means "he struggles with God" which is what Jacob did on his way home.

Answer by  kskscsch (30)

Jacob's was renamed Israel ("he who struggled with the angel", "a man seeing God") after he defeated (in a sort of wrestling match) a mysterious being. He got the name when, after the being (believed to be an angel) failed to take him down, Jacob demanded a blessing.

Answer by  rys (286)

Jacob meaning ""one seizing the heel"", spent the night wrestling with an angel and persevered. At daybreak God gave him a new name "Israel" which means "Prince With God".