Genesis Chapter Thirty-Two

GENESIS CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO OVERVIEW

Overall what is happening in this chapter is that Jacob prepares to meet Esau and on the way wrestles with God.

Thomas Coke (1801) – Genesis 32

The angels of God meet Jacob: he sends messengers to Esau, with presents, to soften him. Jacob wrestles all night with God, and prevails, and is thence named Israel.

Joseph Benson’s Commentary (1857) – Genesis 32

Jacob is still upon his journey toward Canaan; and never did so many memorable things occur in any march, as in this of Jacob’s little family.

By the way he meets:

(1) With good tidings from his God, (Genesis 32:1-2).

(2) With bad tidings from his brother, to whom he sent a message to notify his return, (Genesis 32:3-7).

In his distress:

1. He divides his company, (Genesis 32:7-8).

2. He makes his prayer to God, (Genesis 32:9-12).

3. He sends a present to his brother, (Genesis 32:13-23).

4. He wrestles with the angel, (Genesis 32:24-32).

Adam Clarke (1826) – Genesis 32

Jacob, proceeding on his Journey, is met by the angels of God, (Genesis 32:1-2) Sends messengers before him to his brother Esau, requesting to be favorably received, (Genesis 32:3-5). The messengers return without an answer, but with the intelligence that Esau, with four hundred men, was coming to meet Jacob, (Genesis 32:6). He is greatly alarmed, and adopts prudent means for the safety of himself and family, (Genesis 32:7-8). His affecting prayer to God, (Genesis 32:9-12). Prepares a present of five droves of different cattle for his brother, (Genesis 32:13-15). Sends them forward before him, at a certain distance from each other, and instructs the drivers what to say when met by Esau, (Genesis 32:15-20). Sends his wives, servants, children and baggage, over the brook Jabbok, by night, (Genesis 32:21-23). Himself stays behind, and wrestles with an angel until the break of day, (Genesis 32:24). He prevails and gets a new name, (Genesis 32:25-29). Calls the name of the place Peniel, (Genesis 32:30). Is lame in his thigh in consequence of his wrestling with the angel, (Genesis 32:31-32).

Peter Pett (2013) – Genesis 32

Jacob Meets With His Brother Esau (Genesis 32:3 to Genesis 33:17).

This section is built around two covenants. The covenant made with God at Peniel and the covenant of peace made between Esau and Jacob. It is probable that the covenant with God was the central one. But Jacob being a careful man (compare Genesis 25:33 and the passage built around it) would certainly want on record the details of his covenant of peace with Esau.

Even after so long a time Jacob is wary of his brother Esau. He does not know what fate Esau plans for him nor what will be his reaction to his return. But we note that he is aware of his brother’s whereabouts. He has clearly kept in touch with his family who have kept him informed.

For Esau, recognizing that he now had no part in the ruler-ship of the family tribe (see Genesis 27:39-40), had aligned himself by marriage with the confederate tribes of Ishmael (see Genesis 28:9). He moved to the desert region and there built up his own tribe, no doubt with Ishmael’s assistance and had thus became a minor ruler over a band of warriors with whom he lived out the active life that he had always desired. With their assistance he was able to build up his wealth. Many rich caravans would pass near their territory on the King’s Highway (see Numbers 20:14-21) which by one means or another would contribute to their treasury (either by toll or by robbery) and they necessarily built up flocks and herds for their own survival.

Eventually they would gain ascendancy over neighboring peoples until the land becomes known as the land of Edom (see Genesis 36:16-17; Genesis 36:21; Genesis 36:31) i.e. of Esau (see Genesis 25:30; Genesis 36:1; Genesis 36:19; Genesis 36:43), although originally called the land of Seir (here and Genesis 37:30). The latter name is connected with the Horites who originally lived there (see Genesis 36:20) who were clearly absorbed into the clan or confederacy.

Matthew Henry (1714) – Genesis 32

We have here Jacob still upon his journey towards Canaan. Never did so many memorable things occur in any march as in this of Jacob's little family. By the way he meets:

I. With good tidings from his God (Genesis 32:1-2).

II. With bad tidings from his brother, to whom he sent a message to notify his return (Genesis 32:3-6).

In his distress:

1. He divides his company (Genesis 32:7-8).

2. He makes his prayer to God (Genesis 32:9-12).

3. He sends a present to his brother (Genesis 32:13-23).

4. He wrestles with the angel (Genesis 32:24-32).

KEY VERSE

Genesis 32:25 When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob's thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him.