יִשְׂרָאֵל
Yisrael
Israel, one who wrestles with God
The name Israel (יִשְׂרָאֵל) was born in the middle of a wrestling match. Genesis 32 tells the extraordinary story of Jacob wrestling with God all night long, refusing to let go until he received a blessing. At dawn, God renamed him 'Yisrael' — 'one who wrestles/strives 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's the name of those who refuse to let go of God, even in the dark. With over 2,500 appearances in the Hebrew Bible, understanding Yisrael is understanding the identity of God's people.
“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.'”
Etymology & Root Letters
Yisrael combines 'yisra' (he wrestles/strives) with 'El' (God). God renamed Jacob to Israel after he wrestled with the angel at Peniel — the name celebrates persevering faith.
How Yisrael Is Used in Scripture
Yisrael appears over 2,500 times in the Hebrew Bible. It refers to the patriarch Jacob, the nation descended from him, the northern kingdom, and the covenant people of God. In the New Testament, Paul speaks of the 'Israel of God' (Galatians 6:16).
Cultural & Modern Context
The modern State of Israel, established in 1948, took its name from the biblical patriarch. 'Am Yisrael Chai' (The People of Israel Live) is a popular phrase expressing Jewish resilience and continuity.
How to Use Yisrael in Prayer
Like Jacob, bring your struggles to God. The name Israel teaches that God honors those who wrestle with Him honestly. Don't hide your doubts — bring them to God and hold on until He blesses you.
People Also Ask About Yisrael
What does it mean that Jacob 'wrestled with God'?
Genesis 32:22-32 describes Jacob wrestling with a mysterious figure all night at the Jabbok River. The encounter left Jacob with a limp but also a new name: Israel. The story teaches that God honors those who persist in seeking Him — even when the encounter is painful. Jacob's wrestling was not rebellion but desperate faith: 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.'
What does 'Am Yisrael Chai' mean?
'Am Yisrael Chai' (עם ישראל חי) means 'The People of Israel Live.' It's a declaration of Jewish resilience and survival through millennia of persecution, exile, and attempted genocide. The phrase has become especially significant after the Holocaust and the establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948.
More Places & Geography Words
Explore other Hebrew words in the Places & Geography category
Related Hebrew Words
Learn a New Hebrew Word Every Day
Join 12,000+ Christians discovering the depth of Scripture through Biblical Hebrew.
Subscribe Free