The two names Jacob and Israel were borne by one person in the bible, but their natures and characters were different. The name ''Jacob'' was given by the parents while the name ''Israel'' was given by God. The two names represent one who strove with both his fellow men and God respectively. By these striving, he obtained mercy of having power with men and God.
The name ''Jacob'' means heel-catcher or sub-planter, It also means ''who God protects''. The name Jacob is a combination of the fallen human nature and the mercy of God. These have been the characters that defined the history and life of Jacob until his encounter with God that gave rise to renaming him Israel. Some have defined ''Israel'' as meaning Prince with God, Soldier of God, God-wrestling, etc. However, the real meaning is in Gen.32;28, ... for as a prince, thou has power with God and has prevailed, meaning one who struggled with God.
The name ''Jacob'' memorializes the character of their ancestor as one who struggled with men while ''Israel'' memorializes the character of their ancestor as one who struggled with God. Till date, the nation of Israel is still struggling with God in unbelief and with their neighbors around them.
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