New Living Translation
Genesis 32:7
7Jacob was terrified at the news. He divided his household, along with the flocks and herds and camels, into two groups.
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 now I own cattle, donkeys, flocks of sheep and goats, and many servants, both men and women. I have sent these messengers to inform my lord of my coming, hoping that you will be friendly to me.’” 6After delivering the message, the messengers returned to Jacob and reported, “We met your brother, Esau, and he is already on his way to meet you—with an army of 400 men!” Jacob was terrified at the news. He divided his household, along with the flocks and herds and camels, into two groups. 8He thought, “If Esau meets one group and attacks it, perhaps the other group can escape.” 9Then Jacob prayed, “O God of my grandfather Abraham, and God of my father, Isaac—O Lord, you told me, ‘Return to your own land and to your relatives.’ And you promised me, ‘I will treat you kindly.’
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 people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord,
- Psalms 18:4The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me.
- Psalms 31:13I have heard the many rumors about me, and I am surrounded by terror. My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my life.
- Psalms 55:4My heart pounds in my chest. The terror of death assaults me.
- Psalms 61:2From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,
- Psalms 142:4I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me.
- Matthew 8:26Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
- John 16:33I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
- Acts 14:22where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.
- 2 Corinthians 1:4He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
- 2 Timothy 3:12Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
- Genesis 35:3We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has been with me wherever I have gone.”
- Psalms 107:6“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress.
- Psalms 112:5Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly.
- Proverbs 2:11Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
- Isaiah 28:26The farmer knows just what to do, for God has given him understanding.
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 Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
Commentaries