Tree of Life Version
Genesis 32:7
7The messengers returned to Jacob saying, “We went to your brother, to Esau, and he’s also coming out to meet you—and 400 men with him.”
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
5He also commanded them saying, “This is what you should say to my lord, to Esau: ‘This is what your servant Jacob said: I’ve been staying with Laban, and have lingered until now. 6Now I’ve come to possess oxen and donkeys, flocks, male servants and female servants. I sent word to tell my lord, in order to find favor in your eyes.’” The messengers returned to Jacob saying, “We went to your brother, to Esau, and he’s also coming out to meet you—and 400 men with him.” 8So Jacob became extremely afraid and distressed. He divided the people with him, along with the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps, 9for he thought, “If Esau comes to one camp and strikes it, the camp that’s left will escape.”
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, Bnei-Yisrael lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them! So they were terrified, and Bnei-Yisrael cried out to Adonai.
- Psalms 18:4I called upon Adonai, worthy of praise, and I was rescued from my enemies.
- Psalms 31:13I am as forgotten as a dead man. I have become like a broken vessel.
- Psalms 55:4because of the voice of the enemy, because of the pressure of the wicked. For they thrust trouble on me, and in anger bear a grudge against me.
- Psalms 61:2Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer.
- Psalms 142:4When my spirit grows faint within me, You know my path. In the way where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.
- Matthew 8:26He said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became totally calm.
- John 16:33These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have shalom. In the world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world!”
- Acts 14:22They were strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to persevere in faith, and saying, “It is through many persecutions that we must enter the kingdom of God.”
- 2 Corinthians 1:4He encourages us in every trouble, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any trouble, through the very encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God.
- 2 Timothy 3:12Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Messiah Yeshua will be persecuted.
- Genesis 35:3Now let’s get up and go up to Beth-El so that I can make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and has been with me in the way that I have gone.”
- Psalms 107:6So they cried out to Adonai in their distress, and He delivered them out of their troubles.
- Psalms 112:5Good comes to a man who is gracious and lends. He will order his affairs with fairness.
- Proverbs 2:11Discretion will watch over you —discernment will guard you—
- Isaiah 28:26For his God teaches him judgment, instructing 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
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