New English Translation
Genesis 32:7
7Jacob was very afraid and upset. So he divided the people who were with him into two camps, as well as the flocks, herds, and camels.
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
5I have oxen, donkeys, sheep, and male and female servants. I have sent this message to inform my lord, so that I may find favor in your sight.’” 6The messengers returned to Jacob and said, “We went to your brother Esau. He is coming to meet you and has four hundred men with him.” Jacob was very afraid and upset. So he divided the people who were with him into two camps, as well as the flocks, herds, and camels. 8“If Esau attacks one camp,” he thought, “then the other camp will be able to escape.” 9Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, O Lord, you said to me, ‘Return to your land and to your relatives and I will make you prosper.’
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 got closer, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians marching after them, and they were terrified. The Israelites cried out to the Lord,
- Psalms 18:4The waves of death engulfed me, the currents of chaos overwhelmed me.
- Psalms 31:13For I hear what so many are saying, the terrifying news that comes from every direction. When they plot together against me, they figure out how they can take my life.
- Psalms 55:4My heart beats violently within me; the horrors of death overcome me.
- Psalms 61:2From the most remote place on earth I call out to you in my despair. Lead me up to an inaccessible rocky summit!
- Psalms 142:4Look to the right and see! No one cares about me. I have nowhere to run; no one is concerned about my life.
- Matthew 8:26But he said to them, “Why are you cowardly, you people of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was dead calm.
- John 16:33I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world.”
- Acts 14:22They strengthened the souls of the disciples and encouraged them to continue in the faith, saying, “We must enter the kingdom of God through many persecutions.”
- 2 Corinthians 1:4who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
- 2 Timothy 3:12Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
- Genesis 35:3Let us go up at once to Bethel. Then I will make an altar there to God, who responded to me in my time of distress and has been with me wherever I went.”
- Psalms 107:6They cried out to the Lord in their distress; he delivered them from their troubles.
- Psalms 112:5It goes well for the one who generously lends money, and conducts his business honestly.
- Proverbs 2:11Discretion will protect you, understanding will guard you,
- Isaiah 28:26His God instructs him; he teaches him the principles of agriculture.
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
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