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The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 32:7-8

Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed :—literally, it was narrow to him; i . e . he was perplexed. Clearly the impression left on Jacob's mind by the report of his ambassadors was that he had nothing to expect but hostility— and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands ;—according to Gerlach, caravans are frequently divided thus in the present day, and for the same reason as Jacob assigns— And said, If Esau come to the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 32:1-32

- Jacob Wrestles in Prayer3. 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.29. ישׂראל yı̂śrā'ēl, Jisrael, “prince of God.”31. פניאל penı̂y'ēl = פנוּאל penû'ēl, Peniel, Penuel, “face of God.”After twenty years spent in Aram, Jacob now returns to Kenann. As his departure was marked by a great moment in his spiritual life, so he is now approaching to a crisis in his life of no... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 32:4

Genesis 32:4. Speak unto my lord Esau He calls Esau his lord, and himself his servant, to intimate that he did not insist on the prerogatives of the birthright and blessing which he had obtained for himself, but left it to God to fulfil his own purpose in his seed. And he gives him a short account of himself and of his property, and where he had sojourned, expressing withal a desire for his favour and friendship. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 32:5

Genesis 32:5. I have sent to tell my lord This message of Jacob shows great prudence in him; for had he returned into Canaan without informing his brother, and making him acquainted with the substance he had brought with him from Haran, Esau, who lived at a distance from his father Isaac, probably would have thought, when he came to take possession of Isaac’s property on his death, that Jacob had obtained all his substance from his father, to Esau’s prejudice, which might have created an... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Genesis 32:6-7

Genesis 32:6-7 . He cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him He is now weary of waiting for the days of mourning for his father, and before they come resolves to slay thee. Then was Jacob greatly afraid and distressed He was conscious how deeply he had offended his brother, and remembered the enmity which his brother cherished against him, and hence was not without an apprehension that he might now execute the threatened revenge. We see here how a consciousness of sin tends to... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 32:1-32

Preparing to meet Esau (32:1-32)During the twenty years that Jacob had been in Mesopotamia, Esau had established his household in territory to the south near the Dead Sea. Jacob knew that if he was to live in peace in Canaan, he would first have to put things right with Esau. With much fear and anxiety he sent news to Esau that he was coming to meet him (32:1-8).Jacob had by now learnt a humility before God that was lacking the previous time he met Esau. He thanked God for his remarkable... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 32:7

In Genesis 32:7-12 and Genesis 32:13-32 note that Jacob alternately uses means as though there were no such thing as prayer; and then prays as though there were no such things as means. We may use means, but not trust in them. and. The Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) shows the care with which he prepared. two bands = two camps. Same word (and perhaps idea) as in Genesis 32:2 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 32:3-12

"And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the field of Edom. And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye say unto my lord Esau: Thus saith thy servant Jacob, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed until now: and I have oxen, and asses and flocks, and men-servants, and maid-servants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find favor in thy sight. And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and moreover he cometh to meet... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Genesis 32:3

Genesis 32:3. Jacob sent messengers, &c.— It was very natural for Jacob to conceive fearful apprehensions of Esau, and very prudential in him to take all proper methods to conciliate his favour; and this consistently with the firmest dependance upon the protection of that God who had so graciously revealed himself to him: for it never has appeared that God's providential care is intended to supersede our own just and proper endeavours. As, therefore, he was about to pass over Jordan, he... read more

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

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