Genesis 35:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Although God had previously designated this name for him when the just man crossed the Jabbok River (now known as Zerka, located in eastern Jordan, Gen. 32:22), He now seeks to instill even deeper trust in His promises within the faithful. Therefore, He reaffirms the blessing, declaring: "Your name shall be Israel... be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a multitude of nations shall arise from you, and kings shall descend from your lineage."

"And God named him Israel." Earlier, the angel refrains from providing Jacob with a name but instead prophesies that God will bestow one upon him. Thus, what was previously promised for the future is now confirmed as having come to pass.

God reiterates Jacob's renaming, possibly because Jacob, in his humility, had yet to embrace or disclose his new identity.