A teaching module in which we explore the meaning of Genesis 32 in light of contemporary art. Created and taught by Charles Halton.

1. Text
Genesis 32
Introduction to the Old Testament, Part I
Created and taught by: Charles Halton

2. Jacob the Trickster

3. Jacob the Trickster
Tricked Esau out of first born rights and blessing, 27:36;
“How right it is that his name is Jacob b#OqSoÅy because he
deceived me ‹yˆnbVqVoÅ¥yìÅw these two times...”
‹E

4. Jacob the Trickster
Tricked Esau out of first born rights and blessing, 27:36;
“How right it is that his name is Jacob b#OqSoÅy because he
deceived me ‹yˆnbVqVoÅ¥yìÅw these two times...”
‹E
Jacob in exile to the east (29:1) to escape from Esau to Laban

5. Jacob the Trickster
Tricked Esau out of first born rights and blessing, 27:36;
“How right it is that his name is Jacob b#OqSoÅy because he
deceived me ‹yˆnbVqVoÅ¥yìÅw these two times...”
‹E
Jacob in exile to the east (29:1) to escape from Esau to Laban
Laban deceived Jacob by switching the older & younger

6. Jacob the Trickster
Tricked Esau out of first born rights and blessing, 27:36;
“How right it is that his name is Jacob b#OqSoÅy because he
deceived me ‹yˆnbVqVoÅ¥yìÅw these two times...”
‹E
Jacob in exile to the east (29:1) to escape from Esau to Laban
Laban deceived Jacob by switching the older & younger
Jacob tricks Laban out of sheep (30:25-43)

7. Gen 32

8. Gen 32
Jacob the trickster encounters a divine being/God; READ
32:22-33

9. Gen 32
Jacob the trickster encounters a divine being/God; READ
32:22-33
Jacob prevails over divine being/God? cf. 32:29-31

10. Gen 32
Jacob the trickster encounters a divine being/God; READ
32:22-33
Jacob prevails over divine being/God? cf. 32:29-31
Limp--damaged by God cf. 32:26, 32-33

11. Gen 32
Jacob the trickster encounters a divine being/God; READ
32:22-33
Jacob prevails over divine being/God? cf. 32:29-31
Limp--damaged by God cf. 32:26, 32-33
How does God interact with God’s people?

12. Rembrandt

13. Rembrandt
What theology does this
representation convey?

14. Rembrandt
What theology does this
representation convey?
How are figures positioned?

15. Rembrandt
What theology does this
representation convey?
How are figures positioned?
How does Jacob feel?

16. Rembrandt
What theology does this
representation convey?
How are figures positioned?
How does Jacob feel?
What kind of angel/God is
portrayed?

17. Rembrandt
What theology does this
representation convey?
How are figures positioned?
How does Jacob feel?
What kind of angel/God is
portrayed?
What kind of relationship does
this angel/God have with Jacob?

18. Gauguin

19. Gauguin
Open, red space

20. Gauguin
Open, red space
Distance between the
onlookers and struggle

21. Gauguin
Open, red space
Distance between the
onlookers and struggle
Silence, gender and prayer
of onlookers

22. Gauguin
Open, red space
Distance between the
onlookers and struggle
Silence, gender and prayer
of onlookers
Angel subduing Jacob

23. Gauguin
Open, red space
Distance between the
onlookers and struggle
Silence, gender and prayer
of onlookers
Angel subduing Jacob
Distance & smallness of
actors in the struggle

24. Chagall

25. Chagall
What theology does this
representation convey?

26. Chagall
What theology does this
representation convey?
How are figures positioned?

27. Chagall
What theology does this
representation convey?
How are figures positioned?
How does Jacob feel?

28. Chagall
What theology does this
representation convey?
How are figures positioned?
How does Jacob feel?
What kind of angel/God is
portrayed?

29. Chagall
What theology does this
representation convey?
How are figures positioned?
How does Jacob feel?
What kind of angel/God is
portrayed?
What kind of relationship does
this angel/God have with Jacob?

30. HAP Greishaber (1909-81)

31. HAP Greishaber (1909-81)
Can’t distinguish persons-how
many persons are there?

32. HAP Greishaber (1909-81)
Can’t distinguish persons-how
many persons are there?
How are figures positioned?

33. HAP Greishaber (1909-81)
Can’t distinguish persons-how
many persons are there?
How are figures positioned?
Jacob only realizes who it was at
the very end (32:31-32).

34. HAP Greishaber (1909-81)
Can’t distinguish persons-how
many persons are there?
How are figures positioned?
Jacob only realizes who it was at
the very end (32:31-32).
Luther: Does God work only
indirectly in evil, or does he work
evil directly? How can he be
differentiated from the devil?

35. God or angel/divine being

36. God or angel/divine being
32:25 ‹vyIa “a man;” 32:30 My¢IhølTa “god/divine beings;” 32:32
l¡EayˆnVÚp “Peniel-face of God/divine being”

37. God or angel/divine being
32:25 ‹vyIa “a man;” 32:30 My¢IhølTa “god/divine beings;” 32:32
l¡EayˆnVÚp “Peniel-face of God/divine being”
God & angels can appear in human form (e.g. Gen 18:2; Josh
5:13-15; Judg 13:6)

38. God or angel/divine being
32:25 ‹vyIa “a man;” 32:30 My¢IhølTa “god/divine beings;” 32:32
l¡EayˆnVÚp “Peniel-face of God/divine being”
God & angels can appear in human form (e.g. Gen 18:2; Josh
5:13-15; Judg 13:6)
Genesis Rabbah 77:3--patron angel of Esau

39. God or angel/divine being
32:25 ‹vyIa “a man;” 32:30 My¢IhølTa “god/divine beings;” 32:32
l¡EayˆnVÚp “Peniel-face of God/divine being”
God & angels can appear in human form (e.g. Gen 18:2; Josh
5:13-15; Judg 13:6)
Genesis Rabbah 77:3--patron angel of Esau
LXX 32:30, 32 My¢IhølTa = qeouv

40. God or angel/divine being
32:25 ‹vyIa “a man;” 32:30 My¢IhølTa “god/divine beings;” 32:32
l¡EayˆnVÚp “Peniel-face of God/divine being”
God & angels can appear in human form (e.g. Gen 18:2; Josh
5:13-15; Judg 13:6)
Genesis Rabbah 77:3--patron angel of Esau
LXX 32:30, 32 My¢IhølTa = qeouv
Hosea 12:3 “[Jacob] bested divine being(s) My¢IhølTa / he saw a
messenger ‹JKDaVlAm and prevailed”

41. Gen 32:29
Mattia Preti, Jacob Blessing His Grandchildren

42. Gen 32:29
“You have bested gods and
men.” (contend/wrestle only
used this way here & Hos 12:3-
normal def. “to rule”)
Mattia Preti, Jacob Blessing His Grandchildren

43. Gen 32:29
“You have bested gods and
men.” (contend/wrestle only
used this way here & Hos 12:3-
normal def. “to rule”)
35:2-3 “Put way your foreign
gods...God has answered me in
my distress and he was with me
in the path I which have taken.”
Mattia Preti, Jacob Blessing His Grandchildren

44. Gen 32:29
“You have bested gods and
men.” (contend/wrestle only
used this way here & Hos 12:3-
normal def. “to rule”)
35:2-3 “Put way your foreign
gods...God has answered me in
my distress and he was with me
in the path I which have taken.”
How has God been with Jacob?
Mattia Preti, Jacob Blessing His Grandchildren

45. For more Bible & ANE
resources go to
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