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Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 32:5

Genesis 32:5. I have oxen, &c.— Jacob mentions this to give the more weight to his address, and to shew Esau, that he did not come to be a burden to him, nor to dispute with him the possession of his father's inheritance, though he had a right to it. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 32:1-21

11. Jacob’s attempt to appease Esau 32:1-21Chapters 32 and 33 can be viewed as one episode in the life of Jacob. They describe his return to the Promised Land including his meeting with Esau. There are thematic parallels between these chapters and chapter 31.In spite of the vision of God’s assisting messengers, Jacob divided his people into two groups as a precaution when he heard Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men. Furthermore he sought to pacify Esau’s anger with an expensive gift in... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 32:3-12

Why did Jacob initiate contact with Esau (Genesis 32:3)?"He knows that there can be no peace and quiet until his relations with Esau are assured and put on a proper footing. Not until that matter was settled could Jacob feel certain of his future." [Note: Thomas, p. 293. Cf. Matthew 5:23-25a.] Esau may have had a large army because he had had to subjugate the Horite (Hurrian) population of Seir (Genesis 32:6). His soldiers probably consisted of his own servants plus the Canaanite and Ishmaelite... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:1-32

The Approach of Esau. Jacob Wrestles with the Angel1. 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 was returning to Canaan after twenty years, and with dangers at hand, God renews this assurance by another heavenly vision.2. God’s host] Heb. Mahanaim. It was an important city in Gilead. 3. The land of Seir] or Edom, S. of the Dead Sea, where Esau settled (Genesis 36:8). 6, 7. Esau’s large retinue... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Genesis 32:1-32

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 descent to Shem, and showing thereby that the right of primogeniture belonged to him; but the inspired historian uses only so much of this as is necessary for tracing the development of the Divine plan of human redemption.The Syrian.—Really, the Aramean, or descendant of Aram. (See Genesis 10:22-23.) The... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 32:1-32

Jacob the Aspiring Genesis 32:1 We are accustomed to think of Jacob as a character of lights and shadows mingling without reason. I. As commonly understood, the portrait of this man does present an inconsistency. This apparently bad man has a beautiful dream, so beautiful that it has become immortal. What the best men of the past had not seen this fraudulent youth beholds. II. Why did the artist give such a vision to such a man? The previous life of Jacob had not been that prosaic thing which... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Genesis 32:1-32

JACOB AT PENIELGenesis 32:1-32"Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up." James 4:10JACOB had a double reason for wishing to leave Padan-aram. He believed in the promise of God to give him Canaan: and he saw that Laban was a man with whom he could never be on a thoroughly good understanding. He saw plainly that Laban was resolved to make what he could out of his skill at as cheap a rate as possible-the characteristic of a selfish, greedy, ungrateful, and therefore,... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Genesis 32:1-32

CHAPTER 32 Jacob’s Fear of Esau and Prayer at Peniel 1. The vision at Mahanaim (Genesis 32:1-2 ) 2. The message to Esau (Genesis 32:3-5 ) 3. Esau’s coming and Jacob’s fear (Genesis 32:6-8 ) 4. Jacob’s prayer (Genesis 32:9-12 ) 5. Preparing to meet Esau (Genesis 32:13-23 ) 6. Jacob’s prayer at Peniel (Genesis 32:24-32 ) What a welcome it was when he came near to his land, that the angels of God met him. They were like divine ambassadors sent to welcome him back to assure him of... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:1-32

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 encouragement for Jacob to be diligent to return all the way to the Lord's place for him. We may wonder in what way they appeared, but Jacob recognized them as "God's host," and names the place "Mahanaim," meaning "two camps." Jacob had not yet learned that his interests ought to be merged with God's... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Genesis 32:1-32

JACOB BECOMES ISRAEL MEETING WITH THE ANGELS (32:1-2) Filled with wonders is this lesson! The appearance of the angels, the divine wrestling, the transformation of Esau how much we need the Holy Spirit to understand the meaning of these things! Be sure to identify these places: Galeed or Mizpah of the preceding chapter, and Mahanaim, Peniel and the river Jabbok named in this, are all on the east of the Jordan, not far from what was known later as Ramoth- Gilead. How condescending of God to... read more

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