GENESIS CHAPTER 32 The angels of God meet Jacob, GENESIS 32:1. He calls them God's host, and the place Mahanaim, GENESIS 32:2. Sends messengers to his brother Esau, GENESIS 32:3. They return, and bring word that Esau comes to meet him with four hundred men, GENESIS 32:6. Jacob is afraid; divides his... [ Continue Reading ]
GOD'S HOST; so the angels are justly called for their great number, DANIEL 7:10 LUKE 2:13, excellent order, mighty power, and for their use and service to God, and to his church, for whose protection they are sent. See 2 KINGS 6:17 PSALMS 34:7. MAHANAIM, i.e. _two hosts; _ so called, either because... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LAND OF SEIR; of which see GENESIS 14:6, GENESIS 36:9,20,21; whither Esau had removed his habitation from Canaan, partly out of discontent at his parents; partly as most convenient for his course of life; and principally by direction of Divine Providence, that Canaan might be left free and clear... [ Continue Reading ]
MY LORD ESAU; which title being but a civil respect commonly given in Scripture to such persons as have no authority nor superiority over them who use it, as GENESIS 23:6, GENESIS 24:18, Jacob doth not hereby renounce his right of primogeniture which was devolved upon him, nor return it to Esau. Nor... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet in my exile God hath blessed me with a competency of worldly goods, and therefore I am not likely to be either a burden to thee, or a disgrace to our family. AND I HAVE SENT TO TELL MY LORD, to acquaint him with my coming, and with the state of my affairs, that I may obtain pardon for my former... [ Continue Reading ]
Esau gave them but an imperfect and a doubtful answer, as appears from Jacob's fear, GENESIS 32:7. He brought FOUR HUNDRED MEN WITH HIM; either as his usual guard, he being then a great man in those parts; or in ostentation of his power and greatness, in spite of all the injury which his father or b... [ Continue Reading ]
Notwithstanding the renewed promise of God, and the late apparition of angels, JACOB WAS GREATLY AFRAID; wherein he showed the weakness of his faith, to which God left him for his trial and exercise, and to quicken him to prayer, that so God might have more glory, and he more comfort in the mercy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Either by flight, or because he supposed Esau's revenge would be satisfied with the first slaughter.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is observable, that Jacob directs his prayers to God immediately, and not to the angels, though now, if ever, he had reason and obligation to do so, from their visible apparition to him for his succour and comfort.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TRUTH, WHICH THOU HAST SHOWED UNTO THY SERVANT, in fulfilling thy promises made to me; and much more am I unworthy of those further mercies which I am now about to beg of thee. Having nothing with me but my travelling staff for my support, I PASSED OVER THIS JORDAN; or, _that Jordan; _ either wh... [ Continue Reading ]
A proverbial speech, noting a total destruction. Compare DEUTERONOMY 22:6 HOSEA 10:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
Either that which was in his hand and power; or rather, that which was nearest at hand, and most ready for him, because the approaching night, and his own great fear, gave him not leave to make so scrupulous a choice as otherwise he would have made.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
That his gift might be represented to Esau with most advantage, and his mind might by little and little be sweetened towards him.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
Coming to see thy face, and beg thy favour.... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL APPEASE HIM; Heb. _appease_ or _allay his anger; _ for the Hebrew word _panim_ signifies both _anger, _ as PSALMS 21:9, PSALMS 34:16, and _face, _ as every where, because a man's _anger_ is most discernible in his face or countenance, PROVERBS 21:14. HE WILL ACCEPT OF ME; Heb. _will lift up m... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS ELEVEN SONS, and Dinah, though she be not here mentioned; as the women are oft omitted in Scripture, was being comprehended under the men. PASSED OVER THE FORD JABBOK, which is here _generally_ related, but the time and manner of it is particularly described in the following verses. Of this ford... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
In some private place, it matters not on which side Jabbok, that he might more freely and ardently pour out his soul unto God. THERE WRESTLED A MAN WITH HIM, an angel, yea, the Angel of the covenant, the Son of God, as it is plain from GENESIS 32:28,30 HO 12:3,4, who did here, as oft elsewhere, assu... [ Continue Reading ]
Not through impotency, but in design, the angel suffered himself to be conquered, to encourage Jacob's faith and hope against the approaching danger. THE HOLLOW OF HIS THIGH, the joint of his hip-bone, or rather the hollow in which that joint was. THE HOLLOW OF JACOB'S THIGH WAS OUT OF JOINT, which... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE SAID, LET ME GO: he saith this, partly to show the prevailing power of his prayer with God, and partly to quicken and encourage Jacob to persist in his conflict. Compare EXODUS 32:10 DEUTERONOMY 9:14. THE DAY BREAKETH, and I am not willing that there should be any spectators or witnesses of t... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
NO MORE JACOB, not _Jacob_ only. See the like manner of expression 1 SAMUEL 8:7 JEREMIAH 23:7 1 THESSALONIANS 7:16 1 CORINTHIANS 1:17. ISRAEL signifies _a prince_ or _prevailer with God; _ or, _a prince of God, _ i.e. a great prince and conqueror. Thou hast in some sort conquered both God in this co... [ Continue Reading ]
TELL ME, I PRAY THEE, THY NAME, that I may give thee the honour due to it. Art thou a created angel, or art thou the ever-blessed God? WHEREFORE DOST THOU ASK AFTER MY NAME? A question which carries in it both a denial of his request, as JUDGES 13:17,18, and a reproof of his curiosity. HE BLESSED HI... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE SEEN GOD FACE TO FACE; not in his essence, for so _no man ever saw God,_ 1 THESSALONIANS 1:18, nor yet in a dream or vision, but in a most evident, sensible, familiar, and friendly manifestation of himself. MY LIFE IS PRESERVED; I am now well assured of my safety from Esau, whose approach thr... [ Continue Reading ]
No text from Poole on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not from any superstitious conceit about it, but only for a memorial of this admirable conflict, the blessed effects whereof even the future generations received.... [ Continue Reading ]