Jacob's Image Engraved Above and the Angel's Shifting Name

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 133:4

Another interpretation: "For you have striven with God" means: You are the one whose likeness is engraved on high. "And Jacob asked and said, Tell me, I pray, your name" (Genesis 32:30). One verse says, "He counts the number of the stars" (Psalms 147:4), and another verse says, "He brings out their host by number" (Isaiah 40:26). Rather, this teaches that there is a change there: an angel is not called now by the name by which it will be called later, as it is said (Judges 13:18), "And the angel of the LORD said to him, Why do you ask my name, seeing it is wondrous?" meaning, I do not know into which name I will be changed. (Genesis 32:32) (written at remez 105 and at remez 119).

Themes