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Genesis 32:1-32

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 called that place Mahanaim.

v3 Jacob sent some of his servants to take a message to his brother Esau. They went before Jacob to Esau. Esau was in the region that is called Seir. It is in the country that is called Edom. v4 Jacob said to the servants, ‘Say, “This is what your servant Jacob says to my master Esau: I have stayed with Laban until now. v5 I have cows, *donkeys, sheep, servants and maids. I have sent this message to my master so that you may be pleased with me.” ’

v6 And the *messengers returned to Jacob. They said, ‘We came to your brother Esau. He comes to meet you. He brings 400 men with him.’ v7 Then Jacob was greatly afraid. He divided those that were with him into two groups. He divided the people and the sheep and the cows and the camels. v8 He thought, ‘If Esau kills one group, the other group will escape.’

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See also Genesis 32:1-32 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    CHAPTER XXXII _Jacob, proceeding on his Journey, is met by the angels of God_, 1, 2. _Sends messengers before him to his brother Esau, requesting_ _to be favourably received_, 3-5. _The messengers...

  • 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

    ANGELS OF GOD. Compare Psalms 34:7, to assure him of God's presence with him, and of His protection....

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

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  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    THE ANGELS OF GOD, &C.— When Jacob embarked in this enterprize, and left Canaan, God was pleased to encourage him by a vision of angels, and by the assurance of his protection: and now that he was ret...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

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  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _AND JACOB WENT ON HIS WAY, AND THE ANGELS OF GOD MET HIM._ Angels of God met. It is not said whether this angelic manifestation was made in a vision by day, or a dream by night, It was most probably...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

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  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

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  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

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  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

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  • 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...

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  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

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  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Angels. Guardians of Chanaan and Mesopotamia. (Jarchi.) --- The latter escorted him as far as the torrent Jaboc. That angels guard different provinces, is well attested, Daniel xii. 1, and Acts xvi....

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

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  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

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  • John Darby's Synopsis

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  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

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

    _The angels of God met him_ In some visible and glorious forms, as they frequently appeared to the patriarchs. Probably only Jacob saw them. They met him to bid him welcome to Canaan again; a more hon...

  • KJV Original Language Details

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  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

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  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

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  • Summarized Bible Commentary

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  • The Biblical Illustrator

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  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

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  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

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  • The Pulpit Commentaries

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  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

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