The second significant encounter for Jacob ocurred on his way back to the land of promise. Prior to entering the land, Jacob was engaged in an all night wrestling match with "a man" who turns out to be God himself. As a result of the bout, Jacob is both crippled (he emerged with a limp) and blessed. God bestows on him a new name, representing a new character. The new name is "Israel" which means "God fights", thus tagging Jacob as one who fought with God and emerged with a new nature. Jacob names the place "Peniel", the "face of God." (Cf. Gen. 32:22-32)
