Genesis 32:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 32:3-8

Now that Jacob was re-entering Canaan God, by the vision of angels, reminded him of the friends he had when he left it, and thence he takes occasion to remind himself of the enemies he had, particularly Esau. It is probable that Rebekah had sent him word of Esau's settlement in Seir, and of the continuance of his enmity to him. What shall poor Jacob do? He longs to see his father, and yet he dreads to see his brother. He rejoices to see Canaan again, and yet cannot but rejoice with trembling... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 32:8

And said, if Esau come to the one company, and smite it ,.... The first, which perhaps consisted only of some servants, with a part of his cattle; so that if Esau should come in an hostile manner, and fall upon that, and slay the servants, and take the cattle as a booty: then the other company which is left shall escape ; by flight, in which most probably were he himself, his wives and children, and the camels to carry them off who would have notice by what should happen to the first... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 32:3-8

Faith and fellowship. Jacob's preparation against danger betokened his sense of duty to do his utmost under the circumstances, and his sense of past errors and ill desert towards his brother. There is an exercise of our own judgment in times of distress and extremity which is quite consistent with dependence upon God.— R . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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

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 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

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