Bible Commentaries
Genesis 32

Verse 1

angels of God. Compare Psalms 34:7 , to assure him of God's presence with him, and of His protection.

Verse 2

host = camp. Hebrew. mahaneh as in verses: Genesis 32:8 , Genesis 32:21 . Compare Deuteronomy 33:2 .Joshua 5:14 , Joshua 5:15 .Psalms 27:3 ; Psalms 78:28 ; Psalms 106:16 .

Mahanaim = two camps.

Verse 7

In Genesis 32:7-12 and Genesis 32:13-32 note that Jacob alternately uses means as though there were no such thing as prayer; and then prays as though there were no such things as means. We may use means, but not trust in them.

and. The Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) shows the care with which he prepared.

two bands = two camps. Same word (and perhaps idea) as in Genesis 32:2 .

Verse 9

Jacob's first prayer acknowledges both Elohim and Jehovah.

saidst. Compare Genesis 32:12 with Genesis 31:13 .

Verse 10

I am not worthy. Hebrew I have proved unworthy. Figure of speech Heterosis (of Tense), App-6 . = I have been and am unworthy.

mercies. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause). First occurance of plural

my staff. Having nothing and deserving nothing but chastisement. Hence, the God who met him there (the God of Bethel) is "the God of Jacob", and is "the God of all grace" (1 Peter 5:10 ): compare Psalms 146:5 .

Verse 11

with. Hebrew upon. As though sons slain first and mothers falling on them.

Verse 12

saidst. Compare Genesis 32:9 with Genesis 28:13-15 .

as the sand. Figure of speech Paroemia. See note on Genesis 13:16 .

Verse 13

present. See App-43 .

Verse 20

will appease him. Hebrew "cover his face", i.e. hide my offence from him: "face" being put by Synecdoche (of the Part), for himself.

of me. Hebrew my face. Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6 .

Verse 22

Jabbok. Hebrew pouring out, or emptying.

Verse 24

a Man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 . Called "God" (verses: Genesis 32:28 , Genesis 32:30 ), an "Angel", and Jehovah Elohim, Hosea 12:4 , Hosea 12:5 .

breaking. Hebrew going up. Figure of speech Antimereia (of Verb Part, for noun).

Verse 26

day breaketh. Hebrew dawn hath ascended.

Verse 27

What is thy name? Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. For He knew his name.

Verse 28

Jacob = contender (Genesis 25:22 ). Used of the natural Jacob and his natural seed. Israel used for spiritual Jacob and his spiritual seed.

Israel = "God commands, orders or rules". Man attempts it but always, in the end, fails. Out of some forty Hebrew names compounded with "El" or "Jah", God is always the doer of what the verb means (compare Dani-el, God judges).

prince = commander, orderer. Here used not to dignify but to reproach. Compare Genesis 12:15 , princes (courtiers); Genesis 26:26 , chief of soldiers; Genesis 39:1 , officer; Genesis 40:2 , chief; Genesis 40:3 , jailor; Genesis 47:6 , herdsmen; Exodus 1:11 , taskmasters, &c.

hast thou power = hast thou contended. Jacob had contended with Esau in the womb, and thus got his name Jacob, which is referred to here in reproach, not in eulogy.

prevailed = succeeded. He had contended for the birthright and succeeded (Genesis 25:29-34 ). He had contended for the blessing and succeeded (27). He had contended with Laban and succeeded (31). He had contended with "men" and succeeded. Now he contends with God and fails. Hence his name was changed to Isra-el, God commands, to teach him the greatly needed lesson of dependence upon God.

Verse 30

Peniel = Hebrew God's face.

seen. Compare Genesis 16:13 .

life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. See App-13 .

Verse 31

he. Emph. to call attention to the fact that he was not only late, but limping.

halted = limped. The sign that it is God who commands, and has real power to overcome. Typical of the national humiliation required before entering on the blessing.

Verse 32

sinew = the ligament of the hip joint.