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;
7. two companies ] The word for “companies” is the same as that rendered “host” in Gen 32:2, except that it occurs in the plural ( mahanoth). This is evidently another explanation of the origin of the name Mahanaim. It is a pity that the same word, “camp,” has not been used here and in Gen 32:2 ; Gen 32:8 ; Gen 32:10 ; Gen 32:21, in order to bring out the two etymologies that were current.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 7. He divided the people, &c.] 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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Notwithstanding the renewed promise of God, and the late apparition of angels,
Jacob was greatly afraid; wherein he showed the weakness of his faith, to which God left him for his trial and exercise, and to quicken him to prayer, that so God might have more glory, and he more comfort in the mercy.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed,…. Knowing what he had done to his brother in getting the birthright and blessing from him, and what an enmity he had conceived in his mind against him on that account, and remembering what he had said he would do to him; and therefore might fear that all his professions of respect to him were craftily and cunningly made to take him off of his guard, and that he might the more easily fall into his hands, and especially when he heard there were four hundred men with him; this struck a terror into him, and made him suspicious of an ill design against him; though herein Jacob betrayed much weakness and want of faith, when God has promised again and again that he would he with him, and keep him, and protect him, and return him safe to the land of Canaan; and when he had just had such an appearance of angels to be his helpers, guardians, and protectors:
and he divided the people that [was] with him, and the flocks, and the herds, and the camels, into two bands: some of his servants and shepherds, with a part of the flocks and herds, in one band or company, and some with the rest of them, and the camels, and his wives, and his children, in the other.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
7. And he divided the people. Moses relates that Jacob formed his plans according to the existing state of affairs. He divides his family into two parts, (102) and puts his maids in the foremost place, that they may bear the first assault, if necessary; but he places his free wives further from the danger. Hence indeed we gather, that Jacob was not so overcome with fear as to be unable to arrange his plans. We know that when a panic seizes the mind, it is deprived of discretion; and they who ought to look after their own concerns, become stupid and inanimate. Therefore it proceeded from the spirit of faith that Jacob interposed a certain space between the two parts of his family, in order that if any destruction approached, the whole seed of the Church might not perish. For by this scheme, he offered the half of his family to the slaughter, that, at length, the promised inheritance might come to the remainder who survived.
(102) “Into two bands,” more literally, “into two camps or encampments;” לשני מחנות, ( leshenai machanoth). The word here used is the same in which the host of God is described in the second verse, and from which the name of the city Mahanaim is derived. — Ed
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(7) Jacob was greatly afraid.Jacobs message to his brother had been very humble, for he calls Esau his lord, and himself a servant. He hopes also to find grace in his sight, and by enumerating his wealth shows that he required no aid, nor need claim even a share of Isaacs property. But Esau had given no answer, being probably undecided as to the manner in which he would receive his brother. The four hundred men with him formed probably only a part of the little army with which he had invaded the Horite territory. Some would be left with the spoil which he had gathered, but he took so many with him as to place Jacob completely in his power. And Jacobs extreme distress, in spite of the Divine encouragement repeatedly given him, shows that his faith was very feeble; but it was real, and therefore he sought refuge from his terror in prayer.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
7. Jacob was greatly afraid The report of his messengers might naturally have this effect on Jacob . He had fled from his brother because of his threat to kill him, (Gen 27:41,) and now his coming with a body of four hundred men seemed ominous of a purpose of vengeance . “His excited imagination saw his wives and children murdered; his ill-gotten flocks destroyed; and himself struck by the fatal blow or chained in ignominious fetters. Agony and fear overpowered him, but that agony was his atonement; it was a suffering commensurate with his guilt; it was at once his retribution and his justification. But though it was a torture to his heart, it did not unbend his energy. All his faculties, feelings, and affections were roused to their utmost power, and his whole nature was quickened into vigorous activity.” Kalisch.
‘Then Jacob was greatly afraid and was distressed. And he divided the people that were with him, and the flocks and the herds and the camels, into two companies. And he said, “If Esau comes to the one company and smites it then the other company which is left will escape.” ’
Jacob is seized with terror and he decides on a strategy to deceive his brother. He divides his possessions into ‘two companies’. There may well be a deliberate contrast here with verse 2 where Mahanaim also meant two companies. He has forgotten that his reliance is on God and his angelic messengers. But his policy is to let Esau arrive and think he has captured all Jacob’s possessions not knowing that there is a second which hopefully survives.
Gen 32:7. Jacob was greatly afraid, &c. When the messengers returned with the information that Esau was advancing to meet Jacob, with four hundred men, having no idea of his brother’s kind and honourable intentions to him, Jacob apprehended little less than destruction. He resolved, however, to make use of every prudent measure; and accordingly, not only divided his train into two distinct bands, but sent magnificent presents, disposed in striking order, to soothe his brother; and had recourse in a most humble and fervent prayer to the God who had graciously engaged to protect him, Gen 32:9. His prayer is a pattern for all grateful minds, and testifies at once the most humble and most thankful disposition, I am not worthy, &c.
Gen 32:7 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;
Ver. 7. Then Jacob was greatly afraid. ] This was his weakness, and may be ours in like case, as looking to the present peril, and “forgetting the consolation,” as the apostle speaketh, Heb 12:5 , that he might have drawn from the promise of God, and presence of angels. Faith quelleth and killeth distrustful fears: but Satan, in a distress, hides from us that which should support us, and greatens that that may appal us. But what saith the Spanish proverb? The lion is not so fierce as he is painted; nor danger, usually, so great as it is represented. Some hold that Esau was here wronged, by being presumed an enemy, when he was a friend. Pessimus in dubiis augur Timor.
In Gen 32:7-12 and Gen 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 Gen 32:2.
greatly: Exo 14:10, Psa 18:4, Psa 18:5, Psa 31:13, Psa 55:4, Psa 55:5, Psa 61:2, Psa 142:4, Mat 8:26, Joh 16:33, Act 14:22, 2Co 1:4, 2Co 1:8-10, 2Ti 3:12
distressed: Gen 35:3, Psa 107:6
and he: Psa 112:5, Pro 2:11, Isa 28:26, Mat 10:16
Reciprocal: Gen 32:10 – two bands Gen 33:1 – And he 1Sa 30:6 – was greatly 2Ch 20:3 – feared Job 5:8 – seek Psa 77:2 – In the Psa 118:5 – called Pro 16:7 – he Jer 30:7 – it is Jon 2:2 – I cried Phi 4:6 – in
32:7 Then Jacob was {c} greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that [was] with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands;
(c) Though he was comforted by the angels, yet the infirmity of the flesh appears.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes