In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he strove with God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Hosea highlights Jacob's intense, active pursuit of God's blessing from the very beginning of his life, even mentioning his wrestling with God as a display of "strength" that was not his own, but God-given. This contrasts sharply with the people's neglect of God's promises and their turning to other powers for help.
In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he strove with God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Hosea is reminding the people of Israel of their patriarch, Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. He contrasts Jacob's determined pursuit of God's blessing from birth, even striving with God Himself, with their current spiritual laziness and reliance on false gods. This verse highlights Jacob's incredible, divinely-granted persistence, serving as both a reminder of God's past favor and a challenge to the people to emulate their ancestor's fervent faith.
Jacob's life is etched in our memory for his cunning schemes and a dramatic, life-altering encounter with God. But what do these two pivotal moments, one in the womb and one in manhood, really reveal about him and about us?
Hosea points to two defining moments in Jacob's life to highlight a profound truth:
A Miraculous Beginning
In the womb, Jacob 'took his brother by the heel.' This wasn't just a physical act; it foreshadowed his lifelong pursuit of God's promises. The scholars note that this event, recorded in Genesis, wasn't about Jacob's own strength but a sign of God's intention and power, even before Jacob could act consciously.
A Transformative Struggle
Later, in his maturity, Jacob 'strove with God.' This iconic wrestling match at Peniel, where he clung to the divine presence until blessed, transformed him. The text emphasizes that this 'strength' wasn't natural might, but a divinely-given power rooted in faith and persistence. It was a struggle not just for a blessing, but for a new identity.
Together, these events paint a picture of a man marked by an unyielding drive for God's favor, a drive initiated and empowered by God Himself.
Jacob’s story seems to be about his cleverness and determination. But Hosea uses these events to point beyond Jacob, revealing something deeper about God's character and how we relate to Him.
The prophet Hosea uses Jacob's life not just as an example of human effort, but as a testament to God's sovereign grace working through persistent faith.
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Divine Election and Enablement
The commentators highlight that Jacob's actions, both in the womb and at Peniel, were enabled by God. The 'strength' to grab his brother's heel or to wrestle with God wasn't inherent in Jacob. It was a gift, a sign of God's choosing grace, and a divine impartation of power.
The Nature of True Strength
Jacob’s struggle with God wasn't a physical contest of equals. Rather, it was a demonstration of how God strengthens the weak and blesses those who pursue Him relentlessly. Even when God injured Jacob's thigh, Jacob’s tenacious grip and unwavering plea – 'I will not let you go unless you bless me' – revealed a faith that God honored. This 'strength' is found in conscious dependence on God, not self-sufficiency.
Hosea reminds us that our pursuit of God is only possible because He first chooses us, empowers us, and remains faithful even when we wrestle.
Hosea uses the foundational stories of Jacob's birth and his struggle with God to highlight the deep-rooted spiritual battles and God's choosing grace, contrasting Jacob's earnest striving with Israel's present-day apostasy.
c. 1800 BC— this verse
Birth of Jacob and Esau
Jacob, the younger twin, is born grasping Esau's heel, an event foreshadowing his future struggle for the birthright and blessing.
c. 1760 BC
Jacob Wrestles with God
While fleeing his brother Esau, Jacob wrestles with a divine being (often understood as God or an angel) all night. He is wounded but prevails, receiving the new name 'Israel' (meaning 'struggles with God' or 'prince of God').
c. 740 BC
Hosea Prophesies
Hosea delivers his prophecies in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during a period of political instability and religious unfaithfulness.
This passage directly describes Jacob, as a newborn, grasping Esau's heel, which is the event Hosea is referencing from Jacob's birth.
Genesis 32:24-30This passage details Jacob's wrestling match with God (or an angel) and his subsequent name change to Israel, illustrating the 'strove with God' part of Hosea's verse.
Romans 9:10-13Paul uses the example of Jacob and Esau to illustrate God's sovereign choice and election, highlighting God's unconditional love for Jacob even before birth, which is a key theme in Hosea's remembrance of Jacob.
Matthew 11:12Jesus speaks about the Kingdom of Heaven suffering violence and the violent taking it by force, a concept echoed by Jacob's determined struggle to wrestle a blessing from God, showing a spiritual parallel to intense spiritual pursuit.
clarkeHosea 12:3: "He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:"
He took his brother by the heel - See on Genesis 25:26 (note); Genesis 32:24 (note), etc.
pulpitHosea 12:3: "He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:"
Verse 3. - He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power (margin, was a prince, or, behaved himself princely) with God. In this verse and the following the prophet looks away back into the far-distant past; and this retrospect, which is suggested by the names Jacob and Israel, reminds him of two well-known events in the life of the patriarch-The meaning and inten…
Hosea highlights Jacob's intense, active pursuit of God's blessing from the very beginning of his life, even mentioning his wrestling with God as a display of "strength" that was not his own, but God-given. This contrasts sharply with the people's neglect of God's promises and their turning to other powers for help.
Hosea is reminding the people of Israel of their patriarch, Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. He contrasts Jacob's determined pursuit of God's blessing from birth, even striving with God Himself, with their current spiritual laziness and reliance on false gods. This verse highlights Jacob's incredible, divinely-granted persistence, serving as both a reminder of God's past favor and a challenge to the people to emulate their ancestor's fervent faith.
Hosea is reminding the people of Israel of their patriarch, Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. He contrasts Jacob's determined pursuit of God's blessing from birth, even striving with God Himself, with their current spiritual laziness and reliance on false gods. This verse highlights Jacob's incredible, divinely-granted persistence, serving as both a reminder of God's past favor and a challenge to the people to emulate their ancestor's fervent faith.
"In the womb he took his brother by the heel, and in his manhood he strove with God." — Hosea highlights Jacob's intense, active pursuit of God's blessing from the very beginning of his life, even mentioning his wrestling with God as a display of "strength" that was not his own, but God…
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Last reviewed October 2026