Genesis 32:11 NIV

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

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Genesis 32:10-12

Hebrews I am less than all thy mercies:, etc. Observe the sweet order of the Patriarch's prayer. First, he calls upon God, as his Covenant God, engaged to him by word, and oath, and promises. Genesis 17:1-7 . Secondly. He reminds God, that where he now is, in the troubles with which he is surrounded, he is in the path of duty, by the Lord's own appointment. Genesis 31:3-13 . Reader! do not forget that we may always rely upon the Lord's aid, when we are in the Lord's way. That promise is... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Genesis 32:11

The children; sparing neither sex nor age, but destroying all. (Calmet) --- Jacob insists on the promises of God; yet fears lest he should, by some offence, have deserved to forfeit his protection; particularly, as he had been living 20 years among idolaters. He acts with all prudence. (Worthington) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:9-23

9-23 Times of fear should be times of prayer: whatever causes fear, should drive us to our knees, to our God. Jacob had lately seen his guards of angels, but in this distress he applied to God, not to them; he knew they were his fellow-servants, Revelation 22:9. There cannot be a better pattern for true prayer than this. Here is a thankful acknowledgement of former undeserved favours; a humble confession of unworthiness; a plain statement of his fears and distress; a full reference of the whole... read more

Frank Binford Hole

F. B. Hole's Old and New Testament Commentary - Genesis 32:1-29

Gen_32:1 Gen_35:29 . Thus far, many blemishes have marred the history of Jacob. His desire at the outset for the birthright and the blessing of God, which accompanied it, was right: the way he schemed to obtain it altogether wrong. God had been but little in his thoughts, and when, fleeing from Esau's vengeance, in a night vision he discovered the house of God, he felt it to be a dreadful place. One of our hymn writers describing his soul's journey, began with, "All of self and none of Thee."... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Genesis 32:9-12

Jacob's Prayer v. 9. And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee: v. 10. I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth which Thou hast showed unto Thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands. This was the proper reaction from the abject fear and panic with which Jacob had been suffering,... read more

Johann Peter Lange

Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Critical, Doctrinal and Homiletical - Genesis 32:3-32

FIFTH SECTIONJacob’s return. His fear of Esau. His night wrestlings with God. Peniel. The name Israel. Meeting and reconciliation with Esau. Genesis 32:3 to Genesis 33:163And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother, unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom. 4And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned [have been a stranger] with Laban, and stayed there until now: 5And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and... read more

Alexander MacLaren

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture - Genesis 32:9-12

Genesis THE TWOFOLD WRESTLE - GOD’S WITH JACOB AND JACOB’S WITH GOD Gen_32:9 - Gen_32:12 . Jacob’s subtlety and craft were, as is often the case, the weapons of a timid as well as selfish nature. No wonder, then, that the prospect of meeting his wronged and strong brother threw him into a panic, notwithstanding the vision of the camp of angels by the side of his defenceless caravan of women and children. Esau had received his abject message of propitiation in grim silence, sent no welcome... read more

Frederick Brotherton Meyer

F.B. Meyer's 'Through the Bible' Commentary - Genesis 32:1-12

Jacob Fears to Meet Esau Genesis 32:1-12 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 are more for us than against us! The Captain of the Lord’s hosts is as near us as He was to Joshua, and His squadrons await our cry. “Thinkest thou,” said our Lord, “that I cannot beseech my Father, and He shall even now send more than twelve legions of angels!” In times of trial we betake... read more