I just recently found out that the Hebrew word for “wrestle” is word used for “wrestled” is ye’aveq (יֵאָבֵק). The root is abaq (אָבַק), and it literally translates to “to get dusty” (a gritty, ground-based struggle). To “wrestle” someone was to “dust” them or to become covered in the dust of the earth together. THIS IS CRAZY, given our origin story (ADAM/dust!). AND THEN – there is a brilliant word play happening as well …Jabbok (the river): Yabboq; Jacob: Ya’aqov; Wrestled: Ye’aveq. *So when you say it out load it sounds like the river, the man, and the action are all crashing into one another.

When I told Maria Frey about this she responded:

“Someone asked me what a few of my favorite things were yesterday. My first answer was, ‘The rocky coast of Maine.’ To which they replied, ‘That sounds peaceful.’ To which i said, ‘Tt’s actually quite violent. But also calming.’ “