Overview
The Bible addresses wrestling, figurative across 4 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Genesis and Ephesians. Closely related themes include Boldness, Holy, Christ is God, Communion With God and Israel. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jacob, Rachel and Naphtali.
Key Bible verses about wrestling, figurative
Old Testament
Genesis
And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali. great: Heb. wrestlings of God Naphtali: that is, My wrestling: Gr. Nephthalim
And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. breaking: Heb. ascending of the morning
And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
People in the Bible and wrestling, figurative
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying wrestling, figurative for yourself
- Begin with Genesis 30:8, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Genesis and Ephesians each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of Jacob, Rachel and Naphtali and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Boldness, Holy, Christ is God, Communion With God and Israel.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about wrestling, figurative?
The Bible addresses wrestling, figurative across 4 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Genesis and Ephesians. Closely related themes include Boldness, Holy, Christ is God, Communion With God and Israel. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Jacob, Rachel and Naphtali.
How many Bible verses are about wrestling, figurative?
The Bible references wrestling, figurative in 4 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention wrestling, figurative?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 30:8: “And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali. great: Heb. wrestlings of God Naphtali: that is, My wrestling: Gr. Nephthalim”
Which people in the Bible are associated with wrestling, figurative?
Jacob, Rachel and Naphtali.
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