New International Version
Genesis 32:7
7In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels as well.
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;
- 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.
- 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 cattle and donkeys, sheep and goats, male and female servants. Now I am sending this message to my lord, that I may find favor in your eyes.’ ” 6When the messengers returned to Jacob, they said, “We went to your brother Esau, and now he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him.” 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. 8He thought, “If Esau comes and attacks one group, the group that is left may escape.” 9Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my father Abraham, God of my father Isaac, Lord, you who said to me, ‘Go back to your country and 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 14:10As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord.
- Psalms 18:4The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.
- Psalms 31:13For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!” They conspire against me and plot to take my life.
- Psalms 55:4My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen on me.
- Psalms 61:2From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
- Psalms 142:4Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.
- Matthew 8:26He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
- John 16:33“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
- Acts 14:22strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
- 2 Corinthians 1:4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
- 2 Timothy 3:12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
- Genesis 35:3Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.”
- Psalms 107:6Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
- Psalms 112:5Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
- Proverbs 2:11Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.
- Isaiah 28:26His God instructs him and teaches him the right way.
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
New International Version — © NIV® 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica
Commentaries