Genesis 32:3-5

GENESIS—NOTE ON Genesis 32:3 Jacob sent messengers before him. The Hebrew term for “messengers” implies “angels” in v. Genesis 32:1. The land of Seir, the country of Edom lies east of Canaan in Transjordan. Esau was living in this area before Jacob returned. He may have already separated himself from his father Isaac, who is living at Mamre, near Hebron (see Genesis 35:27). “Seir” means “hairy” in Hebrew, and “Edom” is similar to the word for “red” (see Genesis 25:25).