Vesper No. 9 | The Adversary | Fall-Winter 2023
Roberto Esposito
The Adversary
Keywords
Genesis, Adversary, Jabbok, Jacob, angel
The subject of the writing revolves around what, in certain respects, is
considered the archetype of all struggles. It is one of the most enigmatic
passages in the Bible (Genesis 32:22-33), recounting Jacob’s encounter
with an unknown being on the river Iabbòq, the outcome of which remains
uncertain. The theme has been taken up repeatedly in theological,
philosophical, literary, and pictorial culture, without fully grasping its
entire meaning. In the author’s text, after describing the scene, three
fundamental questions will be posed: 1. Is it truly a struggle (or a dream, a
premonition, an embrace)? 2. Who is the adversary (a man, a god, an angel,
oneself)? 3. Who emerges as the victor (or is the conflict devoid of any
winner)?
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