The error that had led to Jacob's sin in obtaining the birthright by fraud was now clearly set before him. He had not trusted God's promises, but had sought by his own efforts to 198 bring about that which God would have accomplished in His own time and way. As an evidence that he had been forgiven, his name was changed from one that was a reminder of his sin, to one that commemorated his victory. "Thy name," said the Angel, "shall be called no more Jacob [the supplanter], but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed."

Den fejl, der havde medført Jakobs synd, da han ved et bedrag skaffede sig førstefødselsretten, stod nu ganske klart for ham. Han havde ikke stolet på Guds løfter, men havde ved sine egne anstrengelser forsøgt at fremskynde det, som Gud ville have gjort til sin tid og på sin måde. Som bevis på, at han havde fået tilgivelse, fik han et navn, der mindede om hans sejr, i stedet for hans gamle navn, der mindede om hans synd. Engelen sagde: "Dit navn skal ikke mere være Jakob, men Israel; thi du har kæmpet med Gud og mennesker og sejret!"