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Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Genesis 32:2

This is God's house — A good man may, with an eye of faith, see the same that Jacob saw with his bodily eyes. What need we dispute whether he has a guardian angel, when we are sure he has a guard of angels about him? To preserve the remembrance of this favour, Jacob gave a name to the place from it, Mahanaim, two hosts, or two camps probably they appeared to him in two hosts, one on either side, or one in the front, and the other in the rear, to protect him from Laban behind, and Esau before, that they might be a compleat guard. Here was Jacob's family that made one army, representing the church militant and itinerant on earth; and the angels another army, representing the church triumphant, and at rest in heaven.

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See also Genesis 32:2 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Genesis 32:2. _MAHANAIM._] The _two hosts_, if read by the _points_, the angels forming one, and Jacob and his company forming another; or simply _hosts_ or _camps_ in the plural. There was a c...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    - Jacob Wrestles in Prayer 3. מחנים _machănāyı̂m_, Machanaim, “two camps.” 22. יבק _yaboq_, Jabboq; related: בקק _bāqaq_ “gush or gurgle out” or אבק _'ābaq_ in niphal, “wrestle.” Now Wady Zurka....

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    CHAPTER 32 JACOB'S FEAR OF ESAU AND PRAYER AT PENIEL _ 1. The vision at Mahanaim (Genesis 32:1)_ 2. The message to Esau (Genesis 32:3) 3. Esau's coming and Jacob's fear (Genesis 32:6) 4. Jacob's p...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    GENESIS 31:22 TO GENESIS 32:2. AFTER MUTUAL RECRIMINATIONS, JACOB AND LABAN MAKE A COVENANT TO REFRAIN FROM AGGRESSION ON EACH OTHER'S TERRITORIES. The analysis is uncertain; Gunkel assigns Genesis 31...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    HOST. camp. Hebrew. _mahaneh_ as in verses: Genesis 32:8; Genesis 32:21. Compare Deuteronomy 33:2.Joshua 5:14;...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _This is God's host_ The Heb. word for "host" (_maḥaneh_) is usually, and ought here to be, rendered "camp." The angels are regarded as the warriors of Jehovah; cf. the narrative in Joshua 5:13-15, an...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    2. _Jacob's Reconciliation with Esau: The Biblical Account_ (Genesis 32:1 to Genesis 33:17) 1 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. 2 And Jacob said when he saw them, This is God's...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _AND WHEN JACOB SAW THEM, HE SAID, THIS IS GOD'S HOST: AND HE CALLED THE NAME OF THAT PLACE MAHANAIM._ Mahanaim - two hosts or camps. Two myriads is the number usually employed to denote an indefinit...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    32:2 Mahanaim. (b-22) Two camps. see Song of Solomon 6:13 ....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE APPROACH OF ESAU. JACOB WRESTLES WITH THE ANGEL 1. The angels of God] God had given Jacob, by an angelic vision, a pledge of His watchful love, when he left his home (Genesis 28:12). Now that he...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    GOD'S HOST] Heb. _Mahanaim._ It was an important city in Gilead....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    GOD’S ANCIENT PEOPLE GENESIS _ALUN OWEN_ CHAPTER 32 JACOB PREPARES TO MEET ESAU V1 Jacob continued his journey. God’s *angels met him V2 and Jacob saw them. He said, ‘This is God’s army!’ So he c...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    God’s *angels did not give any message to Jacob, but Jacob saw them. So Jacob knew that God was guarding him. ‘Mahanaim’ means ‘two armies’ or ‘two camps’. Perhaps he meant God’s army and his own peop...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    THE TÔLDÔTH ISAAC (Genesis 25:19 to Genesis 35:29). THE BIRTH OF ISAAC’S SONS. Abraham begat Isaac — The _Tôldôth_ in its original form gave probably a complete genealogy of Isaac, tracing up his des...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    MAHANAIM. — That is, _the two camps,_ his own and that of the angels; or, possibly, two camps of angels, one on either side of him. Mahanaim was in the tribe of Gad, and became an important town. (See...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    _[Genesis 32:3]_ וַ יֹּ֤אמֶר יַעֲקֹב֙ כַּ אֲשֶׁ֣ר...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    JACOB AT PENIEL Genesis 32:1 "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." James 4:10 JACOB had a double reason for wishing to leave Padan-aram. He believed in the promise...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    JACOB FEARS TO MEET ESAU Genesis 32:1 Before we encounter our Esaus we are sure to meet God's angels. If only our eyes are not holden we shall perceive them. The world is full of angel help! There ar...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    This is unquestionably one of the great Chapter s of the Bible, and it is significant how constant and powerful is its appeal to all who live on the principle of faith. It gives the account of the thi...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    WRESTLING WITH GOD As Jacob continued his journey toward home, angels met him. He called the name of that place Mahanaim, or "two camps" because there were two armies encamped there, the angels and h...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    And when Jacob saw them, he said, (a) This [is] God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim. (a) He acknowledges God's benefits: who for the preservation of his, sends hosts of angels....

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Mahanaim, "two camps." A town was afterwards built here._...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    Mahanaim, signifies two bands, or camps. See Song of Solomon 6:13; Hebrews 1:14; Psalms 34:7....

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    Having already shown the position of Isaac, I resume briefly with the remark that he stands before us clearly as the representative of the Son, and this too as dead, risen, and in heaven. All will und...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _THE ANGELS OF GOD_ ‘The angels of God.’ Genesis 32:1 To the Christian, to the member of the Church of England, with his Prayer Book in his hand, there is a prayer in which we speak to God and reca...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    THE FOLLOWING COMMENTARY COVERS CHAPTER S 29 THROUGH 35. I have no doubt that in the two wives, as I have said, we have the Gentiles and Israel: Rachel first loved on the earth, but not possessed; but...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    AND WHEN JACOB SAW THEM,.... These appeared in a visible form, most probably human, and in the habit, and with the accoutrements of soldiers, and therefore afterwards called an host or army. Aben Ezra...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    And when Jacob saw them, he said, This [is] God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim. Ver. 2. This is God's host.] So called, for their number, order, obedience, strength, &c. God ha...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _This is God's host_ Or _army;_ so the angels are justly called, because of their great number, their excellent order, their mighty power, and the service they perform for God and his church, for the...

  • KJV Original Language Details

    1 Iacobs vision at Mahanaim. 3 His message to Esau. 6 He is afraid of Esaus comming. 9 He prayeth for deliuerance. 13 Hee sendeth a present to Esau. 24 He wrestleth with an Angel at Peniel, where...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    The Messengers to Esau...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host; and he called the name of that place Mahanaim (double host). He thus commemorated in the name of the place where he was shown this vision the fact...

  • Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures

    FOURTH SECTION _Jacob’s flight. Laban’s persecution. The covenant between the two on the mountain of Gilead. Departure._ GENESIS 31:4 TO GENESIS 32:2 , 4And Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    RETURNING TO FACE ESAU As Jacob continues his journey we are told that the angels of God met him (v.1). It was not God Himself as yet who met him, but the angels were no doubt intended as an encourage...

  • Marginal Notes in the King James Version (1611)

    MAHANAIM: that is, Two hosts or camps...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-8 The angels of God appeared to Jacob, to encourage him with the assurance of the Divine protection. When God designs his people for great trials, he prepares them by great comforts. While Jacob, t...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    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...

  • Notes on the Pentateuch by Charles Henry Mackintosh

    And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him." Still God's grace follows him, notwithstanding all. "Nothing changeth God's affection." Whom He loves, and as He loves, He loves to the end....

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Genesis 32:2 Jacob H3290 saw H7200 (H8804) said H559 (H8799) Gods H430 camp H4264 called H7121 ...

  • Scofield's Bible Commentary

    MAHANAIM That is, two hosts, or bands -- the visible band, Jacob and his servants; the invisible band, God's angels. Compare (2 Kings 6:13)....

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Genesis 32 I. God selects men for His work on earth, not because of their personal agreeableness, but because of their adaptation to the work they have to perform. II. There is something affecting in...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Genesis 32:1 I. Notice first the angels themselves. (1) Their number is very great. (2) They are swift as the flames of fire. (3) They are also strong: "Bless the Lord, ye His angels that excel in st...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Genesis 32:1. _And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him._ What an encouragement the visit of these angels must have been to Jacob after the strife which he had had with Laban! But, de...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Genesis 32:1. _And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God's host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim._ Jacob was about to enter...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Jacob had just come out of a great trouble. God's gracious interposition had delivered him out of the hand of the angry Laban, Laban the churl, who cared for Jacob only for what he could get out of hi...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Genesis 32:1. _And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him._ When he left the promised land, he had a vision of angels, ascending and descending upon the ladder, as if to bid him farewel...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Jacob becomes Israel. Preparation for meeting Esau. Wrestling against the angel. CHARACTERS: Jacob, Esau, angel. CONCLUSION: Either we lean on God or on our own plans. The arrangements of...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Genesis 32:2. _Mahanaim,_ two camps or hosts, or the camp of God; a city in Gilead, mentioned in Joshua 13:26; Joshua 21:38; denoting that the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear hi...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    GENESIS—NOTE ON GENESIS 32:1 After separating peacefully from Laban, Jacob prepares to meet his estranged brother Esau. Jacob is naturally hesitant about how he will be received some 20 years after fl...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Genesis 32:1_ JACOB’S VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE WORLD I. Jacob’s visible world. He had just escaped the persecutions of his father-in-law, and was now expecting to mee...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION GENESIS 32:1 AND JACOB (after Laban's departure) WENT ON HIS WAY (from Galeed and Mizpah, in a southerly direction towards the Jabbok), AND THE ANGELS OF GOD—literally, _the messengers of...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    Shall we turn in our Bibles to Genesis chapter thirty-two? Now in the thirty-first chapter we had the parting of Laban, Jacob's uncle as he kisses his grandchildren goodbye, as he sets up the stone an...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    God's. Joshua 5:14 2 Kings 6:17 Psalms 34:7 Psalms 103:21 Psalms 148:2...

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