in the visions of the night] God watcheth in the night over the welfare of those that sincerely serve him in the day. What this vision was, and in what manner it was, the Scripture is silent, and it becometh not us to be curiously inquisitive after it; but the apparition was no dumbe ceremonie, for the word of God was joyned with it. Of visions see Annot. on Chap. 15. vers. 1.
Jacob, Jacob,] Moses calleth him Israel, and God calleth him Jacob, and that twice together; so in the fifth verse he is called once Israel, and Jacob twice; therefore when the name Israel was imposed, and the name Jacob forbidden, the prohibition was not absolute, but comparative: See Annot. on Chap. 32. vers. 28. The doubling of the name was to raise up Jacobs attention, as Chap. 22. vers. 11. &1 Samuel 3:10. and for assured confirmation, for there is that use of doubling of words, as there is of doubling of dreames, Chap. 41. vers. 32.