English Standard Version
Genesis 32:7
7Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed. He divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps,
Genesis 32:7 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;
- New International Version (NIV)In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well.
- New King James Version (NKJV)So Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two companies.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Jacob was terrified at the news. He divided his household, along with the flocks and herds and camels, into two groups.
Context of Genesis 32:7
5I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, male servants, and female servants. I have sent to tell my lord, in order that I may find favor in your sight.'" 6And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, "We came to your brother Esau, and he is coming to meet you, and there are four hundred men with him." Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed. He divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps, 8thinking, "If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it, then the camp that is left will escape." 9And Jacob said, "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord who said to me, 'Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,'
Read all of Genesis 32Genesis 32:7 word by word
וַיִּירָ֧א יַעֲקֹ֛ב מְאֹ֖ד וַיֵּ֣צֶר ל֑וֹ וַיַּ֜חַץ אֶת־הָעָ֣ם אֲשֶׁר־אִתּ֗וֹ וְאֶת־הַצֹּ֧אן וְאֶת־הַבָּקָ֛ר וְהַגְּמַלִּ֖ים לִשְׁנֵ֥י מַחֲנֽוֹת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Then Jacobיַעֲקֹבya‛ăqôb · JacobH3290
- was greatlyמְאֹדme'ôd · muchH3966
- afraidיָרֵאyârê' · to fearH3372
- and distressedיָצַרyâtsar · be distressedH3334
- and he dividedחָצָהchâtsâh · to divideH2673
- the peopleעַם‛am · peopleH5971
- with him, and the flocksצֹאןtsô'n tse'ôn · flockH6629
- and herdsבָּקָרbâqâr · cattleH1241
- and the camelsגָּמָלgâmâl · camelH1581
- into twoשְׁנַ֫יִםshenayim shettayim · twoH8147
- bandsמַחֲנֶהmachăneh · campH4264
Cross-references for Genesis 32:7
- Exodus 14:10When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord.
- Psalms 18:4The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of destruction assailed me;
- Psalms 31:13For I hear the whispering of many— terror on every side!— as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
- Psalms 55:4My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
- Psalms 61:2from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,
- Psalms 142:4Look to the right and see: there is none who takes notice of me; no refuge remains to me; no one cares for my soul.
- Matthew 8:26And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
- John 16:33I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
- Acts 14:22strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
- 2 Corinthians 1:4who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
- 2 Timothy 3:12Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
- Genesis 35:3Then let us arise and go up to Bethel, so that I may make there an altar to the God who answers me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone."
- Psalms 107:6Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
- Psalms 112:5It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.
- Proverbs 2:11discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you,
- Isaiah 28:26For he is rightly instructed; his God teaches him.
Commentaries on Genesis 32:7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7He divided the people, etc. - His prudence and cunning were now turned into a right channel, for he took the most effectual method to appease his brother, had he been irritated, and save at least a part of his family. This dividing and arranging of his flocks, family, and domestics, has something in it highly characteristic. To such a man as Jacob such expedients would naturally present themselves.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-32Verses 1-32 - Jacob Wrestles in Prayer 3. 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…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-8Jacob divided his company into two groups or camps (Hebrew makhanoth, related to "Mahanaim" in 32:2). This was because he was afraid. Jacob remembered Esau's character and his threat to kill him (see 25:25; 27:41).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3-323. Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau--that is, "had sent." It was a prudent precaution to ascertain the present temper of Esau, as the road, on approaching the eastern confines of Canaan, lay near the wild district where his brother was now established. land of Seir--a highland country on the east and south of the Dead Sea, inhabited by the Horites, who were dispossessed by Esau or his posterity (De 11:12). When and in what circumstances he had…Read the comment
Topics related to Genesis 32:7
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Genesis 32
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries