1 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
2 And when Jacob saw them, he said, This [is] God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.
3 And Jacob sent messengers before him to Esau his brother unto the land of Seir, the country of Edom.
4 And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:
5 And I have oxen, and asses, flocks, and menservants, and womenservants: and I have sent to tell my lord, that I may find grace in thy sight.
6 And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, We came to thy brother Esau, and also he cometh to meet thee, and four hundred men with him.
7 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;
8 And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.
9 And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee:
10 I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast shewed unto thy servant; for with my staff I passed over this Jordan; and now I am become two bands.
11 Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he will come and smite me, [and] the mother with the children.
12 And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.
13 And he lodged there that same night; and took of that which came to his hand a present for Esau his brother;
14 Two hundred she goats, and twenty he goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams,
15 Thirty milch camels with their colts, forty kine, and ten bulls, twenty she asses, and ten foals.
16 And he delivered [them] into the hand of his servants, every drove by themselves; and said unto his servants, Pass over before me, and put a space betwixt drove and drove.
17 And he commanded the foremost, saying, When Esau my brother meeteth thee, and asketh thee, saying, Whose [art] thou? and whither goest thou? and whose [are] these before thee?
18 Then thou shalt say, [They be] thy servant Jacob’s; it [is] a present sent unto my lord Esau: and, behold, also he [is] behind us.
19 And so commanded he the second, and the third, and all that followed the droves, saying, On this manner shall ye speak unto Esau, when ye find him.
20 And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob [is] behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.
21 So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company.
22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
23 And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.
24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
27 And he said unto him, What [is] thy name? And he said, Jacob.
28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
29 And Jacob asked [him], and said, Tell [me], I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore [is] it [that] thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
32 Therefore the children of Israel eat not [of] the sinew which shrank, which [is] upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank.
Overview of Genesis Chapter 32
Genesis Chapter 32 presents a pivotal moment in the narrative of Jacob, focusing on his impending reunion with his brother Esau after many years of estrangement. The chapter encapsulates themes of reconciliation, divine encounter, and personal transformation.
Key Events
- Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau (Verses 1-5)
- Jacob sends messengers ahead to Esau in Edom, indicating his intention to reconcile.
- The messengers return with news that Esau is coming to meet Jacob with 400 men, prompting fear in Jacob.
- Jacob’s response is to divide his family and possessions into two camps to mitigate potential loss.
- He prays for deliverance from Esau, acknowledging his unworthiness and recalling God’s promises.
- Jacob’s Prayer (Verses 6-12)
- Jacob expresses his fear and humility before God, recognizing his past actions.
- He recalls God’s promise to prosper him and seeks divine protection.
- Jacob’s Gift to Esau (Verses 13-21)
- Jacob prepares a large gift of livestock to appease Esau, sending them ahead in waves.
- This act demonstrates Jacob’s desire to reconcile and his hope for a favorable reception.
- Jacob Wrestles with God (Verses 22-32)
- During the night, Jacob encounters a mysterious man and wrestles with him until daybreak.
- The struggle symbolizes Jacob’s internal conflict and transformation.
- The man injures Jacob’s hip but blesses him, changing his name to Israel, meaning “he struggles with God.”
- This encounter represents a significant spiritual moment and marks Jacob’s transition from a deceiver to a man of faith.
Thematic Analysis
- Reconciliation
The chapter emphasizes the importance of reconciliation, as Jacob seeks to mend his relationship with Esau after years of conflict.
- Fear and Faith
Jacob’s fear of Esau is palpable, yet he turns to prayer, illustrating the tension between fear and faith in God’s promises.
- Divine Encounter
The wrestling match serves as a metaphor for Jacob’s spiritual struggle and growth, culminating in a transformative encounter with God.
- Identity and Transformation
Jacob’s renaming to Israel signifies a new identity rooted in faith and struggle, marking a turning point in his life.
Character Analysis
- Jacob
Jacob is portrayed as a complex character, initially characterized by deceit but evolving into a figure of faith through his struggles.
- Esau
Esau’s impending arrival with a large group of men introduces tension, yet his eventual reception of Jacob highlights themes of forgiveness and grace.
- The Mysterious Man
This figure represents God or an angel, embodying the theme of divine intervention and the personal nature of God’s relationship with humanity.
Conclusion
Genesis Chapter 32 is a profound exploration of themes such as reconciliation, fear, faith, and transformation. Jacob’s journey reflects the struggles inherent in human relationships and the transformative power of divine encounters. This chapter sets the stage for the resolution of familial conflict and the continuation of God’s covenantal promises through Jacob’s lineage.
