Genesis 32:7-8 - Exposition

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 one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape . It is easy to blame Jacob for want of faith in not trusting to God instead of resorting to his own devices (Candlish), but his behavior in the circumstances evinced great self-possession, non ita expavefactum fuisse Jacob quin res suns eomponeret (Calvin), considerable prudence (Lange), if not exalted chivalry (Candlish), a peaceful disposition which did not wish vim armata repellere (Rosenmüller), and a truly-religious spirit ('Speaker's Commentary'), since in his terror he betakes himself to prayer.