Genesis 31:55-2

‘And early in the morning Laban rose up and kissed his sons and daughters, and blessed them. And Laban departed and returned to his own place. And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when he saw them Jacob said, “This is God's host.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim (‘two hosts').

When the feasting was over Laban said farewell to his sons and daughters giving them the patriarchal blessing. All is now at peace. ‘Sons' probably includes Jacob his son-in-law, and also his grandsons. No doubt daughters included his granddaughter Dinah. Words depicting relationship were not as specific then as now.

“Returned to his own place.” There is a contrast between this normality and the supernatural experience of Jacob (‘the angels of God met him'). For Laban it was over and he returned to normal life and to the daily grind. But for Jacob there was a new beginning. He was to find that God was truly on his side.

“The angels of God met him.” The hearer is suddenly made aware of what would have happened to Laban if he had been belligerent. Angels of God such as Jacob had seen at Bethel had been held constantly in reserve ready to act on Jacob's behalf. But they had not been needed and Jacob is now made aware of them. God had indeed been watching over him as He had promised (Genesis 28:15; Genesis 31:3). This meeting with God's host confirms the promises he had received at Bethel. God's angels are still active and will bring about His purposes.

“This is God” s host.' In contrast the ‘host' of Laban was paltry. But Jacob's own meagre ‘host' had been supported by the angelic host - there had been ‘two hosts', an earthly and a heavenly. At this revelation he named the place Mahanaim - ‘two hosts'.

We note that Jacob is still east of the Jordan.

Note. It will be noted that throughout this section the writer has in general used Elohim for God with the name Yahweh being introduced only when personal covenant matters were in mind or when Laban is referring specifically to Jacob's God. This was partly due to the fact that Jacob has been outside the covenant community, not rejoining Isaac until much later (Genesis 35:27), although still very much part of the covenant. But it may also reflect writer preference at this period. This will on the whole apply, with notable exceptions, through the remainder of the records. It is the God of the whole earth Who is at work.