Genesis 32ESV
Books
All books

Genesis32

English Standard Version

1 on his , and the of him.

2And when he , is ! So he the of that .

3And to his in the of , the of ,

4 them, you shall to my : your , I have with and until .

5I have , , , male , and . I have to my , in order that I may .

6And the to , , We to your , and he is to you, and there are with him.

7Then was and . He the who were with him, and the and and , into ,

8 , to the and it, then the that is will .

9And , O of my and of my , O Lord who to me, to your and to your , that I may do you ,

10I am not worthy of the the deeds of and the you have to your , with only my I , and I have become .

11 from the of my , from the of , for I him, that he may and , the the .

12But you , I will do you , and your as the of the , which cannot be for .

13So he that , and from what he he a his Esau,

14two and , two and ,

15 and their , and , and .

16These he his , every by , and to his , Pass on of and a .

17He the , my you and you, To do you belong? are you ? And are these of you?

18then you shall , They belong to your . They are a to my . And , he is .

19He the and the and who the , You shall the to when you him,

20and you shall , , your is . For he , I may with the that ahead of , and I shall his . he will .

21So the ahead , and he himself that in the .

22The same he and his , his , and his , and the of the .

23He and sent them the , everything else he had.

24And was . And a with him until the of the .

25When the man he did against Jacob, he his , and was put out of as he with him.

26Then he , Let me , for the has . But Jacob , I will let you you me.

27And he to him, is your ? And he , .

28Then he , Your shall be , but , for you have with and with , and have .

29Then him, me your . But he , is that you my ? And he him.

30So the of the , saying, For I have to , and yet my has been .

31The upon him as he , of his .

32 to the of eat the of the is on the , because he the of on the of the .

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Genesis 32.

Full AI study →

Chapter Summary

In this chapter: Jacob's vision at Mahanaim, His fear of Esau. (1–8). Jacob's earnest prayer for deliverance, He prepares a present for Esau. (9–23). He wrestles with the Angel. (24–32).

vv1-8

The angels of God appeared to Jacob, to encourage him with the assurance of the Divine protection. When God designs his people for great trials, he prepares them by great comforts. While Jacob, to whom the promise belonged, had been in hard service, Esau was become a prince. Jacob sent a message, showing that he did not insist upon the birth-right. Yielding pacifies great offences, Ec 10:4. We must not refuse to speak respectfully, even to those unjustly angry with us. Jacob received an account of Esau's warlike preparations against him, and was greatly afraid. A lively sense of danger, and quickening fear arising from it, may be found united with humble confidence in God's power and promise.

vv9-23

Times of fear should be times of prayer: whatever causes fear, should drive us to our knees, to our God. Jacob had lately seen his guards of angels, but in this distress he applied to God, not to them; he knew they were his fellow-servants, Re 22:9. There cannot be a better pattern for true prayer than this. Here is a thankful acknowledgement of former undeserved favours; a humble confession of unworthiness; a plain statement of his fears and distress; a full reference of the whole affair to the Lord, and resting all his hopes on him. The best we can say to God in prayer, is what he has said to us. Thus he made the name of the Lord his strong tower, and could not but be safe. Jacob's fear did not make him sink into despair, nor did his prayer make him presume upon God's mercy, without the use of means. God answers prayers by teaching us to order our affairs aright. To pacify Esau, Jacob sent him a present. We must not despair of reconciling ourselves to those most angry against us.

vv24-32

A great while before day, Jacob being alone, more fully spread his fears before God in prayer. While thus employed, One in the likeness of a man wrestled with him. When the spirit helpeth our infirmities, and our earnest and vast desires can scarcely find words to utter them, and we still mean more than we can express, then prayer is indeed wrestling with God. However tried or discouraged, we shall prevail; and prevailing with Him in prayer, we shall prevail against all enemies that strive with us. Nothing requires more vigour and unceasing exertion than wrestling. It is an emblem of the true spirit of faith and prayer. Jacob kept his ground; though the struggle continued long, this did not shake his faith, nor silence his prayer. He will have a blessing, and had rather have all his bone put out of joint than go away without one. Those who would have the blessing of Christ, must resolve to take no denial. The fervent prayer is the effectual prayer. The Angel puts a lasting mark of honour upon him, by changing his name. Jacob signifies a supplanter. From henceforth he shall be celebrated, not for craft and artful management, but for true valour. Thou shalt be called Israel, a prince with God, a name greater than those of the great men of the earth. He is a prince indeed that is a prince with God; those are truly honourable that are mighty in prayer. Having power with God, he shall have power with men too; he shall prevail, and gain Esau's favour. Jacob gives a new name to the place. He calls it Peniel, the face of God, because there he had seen the appearance of God, and obtained the favour of God. It becomes those whom God honours, to admire his grace towards them. The Angel who wrestled with Jacob was the second Person in the sacred Trinity, who was afterwards God manifest in the flesh, and who, dwelling in human nature, is called Immanuel, Ho 12:4, 5. Jacob halted on his thigh. It might serve to keep him from being lifted up with the abundance of the revelations. The sun rose on Jacob: it is sun-rise with that soul, which has had communion with God.

Cross References

Genesis 32
v24Hosea 12:3-5thematic

Hosea explicitly interprets Jacob's wrestle as weeping and making supplication to the Angel.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v1Psalms 34:7thematic

The angel of the Lord encamping around those who fear Him, protecting Jacob's camp.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Genesis 28:12allusion

Recalls Jacob's initial vision of angels on the ladder at Bethel as he re-enters Canaan.

Supported by JFB

v4Genesis 27:29contrast

Jacob calls Esau 'my lord,' contrasting with the prophetic blessing of dominion over his brother.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v29Judges 13:18thematic

The Angel's response to Manoah closely mirrors His response to Jacob's query about His name.

v1Hebrews 1:14thematic

New Testament confirmation of angels ministering to those who inherit salvation, protecting Jacob's family.

Supported by JFB

v22 Kings 6:17thematic

Parallels Elisha's vision of the Lord's host of horses and chariots surrounding them for defense.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Yielding and submissive speech pacify great offenses, explaining Jacob's respectful approach to Esau.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v9Genesis 31:3quotation

Jacob pleads the specific command of God to return to his country as his warrant.

Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin

v9Genesis 28:15thematic

Recalls the original covenant promise made at Bethel to keep Jacob and bring him back safely.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v25Hosea 12:4thematic

Points to the divine character of the Wrestler, identified as both Angel and God.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v28Genesis 35:10thematic

God formally confirms the change of Jacob's name to Israel at Bethel.

v10Genesis 24:27thematic

Verbal link of 'mercy' and 'truth' shown to Abraham's house, now acknowledged by Jacob.

v12Genesis 13:16allusion

Jacob pleads the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise of countless offspring like the dust.

v13Proverbs 18:16thematic

A man's gift makes room for him, illustrating Jacob's practical wisdom in placating his brother.

Jacob's touch on the thigh represents a physical infirmity to prevent boasting.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v30Exodus 33:20contrast

Contrasts God's statement that no man can see Him and live with Jacob's preservation.

v30Judges 6:22thematic

Gideon expresses the same fear of death after seeing the Angel of the Lord face-to-face.

v30Judges 13:22thematic

Manoah echoes Jacob's fear of dying after seeing God in the person of the Angel.

v29Isaiah 9:6typology

The Messiah's name is declared 'Wonderful' (or 'Secret'), matching the Angel's mysterious name.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v321 Samuel 5:5thematic

Illustrates another historical Jewish custom of avoiding treading upon a specific threshold/sinew.

v22Deuteronomy 3:16thematic

Identifies the river Jabbok as a significant border in Israel's later geographical inheritance.

v24Luke 18:1thematic

Jacob's persistent wrestling exemplifies Christ's teaching on persistent, tireless prayer.

Supported by Matthew Henry