Genesis 32:13-15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 32:13-23

Jacob, having piously made God his friend by a prayer, is here prudently endeavouring to make Esau his friend by a present. He had prayed to God to deliver him from the hand of Esau, for he feared him; but neither did his fear sink into such a despair as dispirits for the use of means, nor did his prayer make him presume upon God's mercy, without the use of means. Note, When we have prayed to God for any mercy, we must second our prayers with our endeavours; else, instead of trusting god, we... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 32:13

And he lodged there that same night ,.... At Mahanaim, or some place near it: and took of that which came to his hand ; not what came next to hand, for what he did was with great deliberation, judgment, and prudence; wherefore the phrase signifies what he was possessed of, or was in his power, as Jarchi rightly interprets it: a present for Esau his brother : in order to pacify him, gain his good will, and avert his wrath and displeasure, see Proverbs 18:16 ; though Jacob had prayed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 32:14

Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes , and twenty rams. And it seems this proportion of one he goat to ten she goats, and of one ram to ten ewes, is a proper one, and what has been so judged in other times and countries F24 Varro de rustica, l. 2. c. 3. apud Bochart. Hierozoic. par. 1. l. 2. c. 43. Colossians 439 . &c.; 53. Colossians 648 . . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 32:15

Thirty milch camels with their colts ,.... Milch camels were in great esteem in the eastern countries; their milk being, as Aristotle F25 Hist. Animal. l. 6. c. 26. and Pliny F26 Nat. Hist. l. 11. c. 41. & 28. 9. say, the sweetest of all milk: forty kine and ten bulls ; one bull to ten cows; the same proportion as in the goats and rams: twenty she asses and ten foals ; and supposing thirty colts belonging to the camels; the present consisted of five hundred and eighty... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:13

And took of that which came to his hand - בידו הבא habba beyado , which came under his hand, i.e., what, in the course of God's providence, came under his power. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:14

Two hundred she-goats, etc. - This was a princely present, and such as was sufficient to have compensated Esau for any kind of temporal loss he might have sustained in being deprived of his birthright and blessing. The thirty milch camels were particularly valuable, for milch camels among the Arabs constitute a principal part of their riches, the creature being every way so serviceable that the providence of God appears peculiarly kind and wise in providing such a beast for those countries... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:15

Ten bulls - The Syriac and Vulgate have twenty; but ten is a sufficient proportion to the forty kine. By all this we see that Jacob was led to make restitution for the injury he had done to his brother. Restitution for injuries done to man is essentially requisite if in our power. He who can and will not make restitution for the wrongs he has done, can have no claim even on the mercy of God. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:13

Verse 13 13.And took of that which came to his hand. In endeavoring to appease his brother by presents, he does not act distrustfully, as if he doubted whether he should be safe under the protection of God. This, indeed, is a fault too common among men, that when they have prayed to God, they turn themselves hither and thither, and contrive vain subterfuges for themselves: whereas the principal advantage of prayer is, to wait for the Lord in silence and quietness. But the design of the holy man... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 32:14

Verse 14 14.Two hundred she-goats. Hence we perceive the value which Jacob set upon the promise given to him, seeing he does not refuse to make so great a sacrifice of his property. We know that those things which are obtained with great toil and trouble are the more highly esteemed. So that generally they who are enriched by their own labor are proportionally sparing and tenacious. It was, however, no trivial diminution even of great wealth, to give forty cows, thirty camels with their young,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 32:1-23

Mahanaim, or preparing for Esau. I. THE ANGELIC APPARITION . 1. The time when it occurred . 2. The impression which it made. Whether completely surrounding him, or divided into two companies, one on either side of him, Jacob's angelic visitors, from their number, their orderly array, their military dispositions, assumed the appearance of a heavenly army lying encamped over against His own; and the sight of the two companies immediately suggested the ejaculation, "This is... read more

Group of Brands