"Yisrael" or "Yashar-El" ?

(This doctrinal study was not a recorded sermon).

Yisrael or YashaEl.pdf

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Trinity – Is it in the Bible?

In B’reshiyt (Genesis) 32.29 God changed Jacon’s name to Yisrael. Another interpretation suggests Jacob’s new name is Yashar’El. Which is right? What does the Bible actually say?

God often explains the meaning of the name He gives someone, as is in this case:

(Please refer to the downloadable pdf to see the Hebrew).

29 And he said: 'Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel; for thou hast striven with God and with men, and hast prevailed.'

The word at issue is SAR, highlighted in red. SAR is often translated “prince” (or “princess” in Sarah’s case) but also means ruler or one of authority. The difference is SAR uses a SIN ׂ שָ and Yashar’El uses a SHIN שִׁ . Context is provided by the explanation of the mesning.

The midrash focuses its exploration of the connection between the two sets of pesukim by focusing on the root s.r.h. In the verb form it means “to fight” or “to overcome”, but as a noun it means officer or master. In the name Yisrael these two meanings are merged: the Talmud’s presentation focuses on connecting the noun of “sar” within the verb of “va-yasar.”

Vayishlach: The Ability to Prevail Through Struggle (hartman.org.il) Talmud Bavli Hullin 92a “He wrestled (va-yasar) with the angel and he was able (va-yukhal), he cried and pleaded with him” (Hoseha 12:5). I don’t know who became the sar (master) of whom (i.e who won the match)! When it says, “for you have striven (sarita) with beings divine and human” (Berieshit 32:29), it means to say that Ya’akov became the master of the angel.