Said to him must often be expressed as “asked Jacob.”

What is your name?: the contrast between this straightforward question and that used by Jacob in verse 29 shows that Jacob’s status is inferior to that of his opponent.

Jacob: it should be remembered that the name Jacob sounds like the Hebrew word for “cheat.” See 27.36. Jacob’s reply to the question may need to be answered in a style that is both natural in the language and suitable for the situation. That situation is that Jacob has realized that he is dealing with a superior being; but at the same time he is still holding that person in his grip. In some languages the bare name Jacob may be unnatural or impolite, so the style of Jacob’s reply may be “They call me Jacob,” “I am Jacob, sir [great one],” or “I am your servant Jacob.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .