Genesis 32:7

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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)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,
• 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.

Context of Genesis 32:7

5and I have oxen, donkeys, flocks, and male and female servants; and I have sent messengers to tell my lord, so that I may find favor in your sight.”’” 6And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau, and furthermore he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed; and he divided the people who were with him, and the flocks, the herds, and the camels, into two companies; 8for he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and attacks it, then the company which is left will escape.” 9Then Jacob said, “God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, Lord, who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’

Genesis 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

• Then Jacobיַעֲקֹבya‛ăqôb · JacobH3290
• greatlyמְאֹדme'ôd · muchH3966
• afraidיָרֵאyârê' · to fearH3372
• and distressedצָרַרtsârar · to confineH6887
• and he dividedחָצָהchâtsâh · to divideH2673
• the peopleעַם‛am · peopleH5971
• whoאֲשֶׁר'ăsher · whichH834
• were with him, and the flocksצֹאןtsô'n tse'ôn · flockH6629
• the herdsבָּקָרbâqâr · cattleH1241
• and the camelsגָּמָלgâmâl · camelH1581
• into twoשְׁנַ֫יִםshenayim shettayim · twoH8147
• companiesמַחֲנֶהmachăneh · campH4264

Cross-references for Genesis 32:7

• Exodus 14:10As Pharaoh approached, the sons of Israel looked, and behold, the Egyptians were coming after them, and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord.
• Psalms 18:4The ropes of death encompassed me, And the torrents of destruction terrified me.
• Psalms 31:13For I have heard the slander of many, Terror is on every side; While they took counsel together against me, They schemed to take away my life.
• Psalms 55:4My heart is in anguish within me, And 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; For there is no one who regards me favorably; There is no escape for me; No one cares for my soul.
• Matthew 8:26He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.
• John 16:33These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
• Acts 14:22strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “It is through many tribulations that we must enter the kingdom of God.”
• 2 Corinthians 1:4who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will 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 want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
• Genesis 35:3and let’s arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me on the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.”
• Psalms 107:6Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them from their distresses.
• Psalms 112:5It goes well for a person who is gracious and lends; He will maintain his cause in judgment.
• Proverbs 2:11Discretion will watch over you, Understanding will guard you,
• Isaiah 28:26For his God instructs and teaches him properly.

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

• Prudence
• Strategy

In the dictionaries

• Jacob
• Jacob, Israel
• Ask
• Cast
• Deal
• Mercy
• Present
• Touch
• Worthy
• Archaeology; Archaeology and Criticism

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