Genesis 32:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So the present passed on ahead of him, and he himself stayed that night in the camp.

NIV: So Jacob's gifts went on ahead of him, but he himself spent the night in the camp.

NASB: So the gift passed on ahead of him, while he himself spent that night in the camp.

CSB: So the gift was sent on ahead of him while he remained in the camp that night.

NLT: So the gifts were sent on ahead, while Jacob himself spent that night in the camp.

KJV: So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company.

NKJV: So the present went on over before him, but he himself lodged that night in the camp.

Jacob has sent out a large gift to intercept his estranged brother, Esau (Genesis 27:30–35; 27:41–45). After some twenty years, Jacob is returning home, and hears that Esau is headed his way with a group of 400 men (Genesis 32:6). Jacob's intent is sending this gift—which is really five separate, large herds of livestock—is clear. He hopes that each successive gift, combined with the statement that "your servant Jacob" is giving these presents to "master Esau" will cool Esau off enough to prevent direct violence.

At this point in time, Jacob's plan is in place. The herds of animals are on the move. Now comes the waiting. Jacob will spend a long and surprisingly eventful night in the camp before his fate is decided on the following day.

Genesis 32:1–21 describes Jacob's preparations to meet his brother Esau, who is coming his way with 400 men. This will be the first time Jacob and Esau have spoken since Jacob fled Esau's rage as described in Genesis 27. Jacob is terrified this approaching force is coming to kill him. He divides his company into two camps. He prays in humility and faith to God for deliverance. He prepares a large gift of 550 animals to be strategically delivered to Esau to appease his presumed anger.

As Jacob turns from Laban and returns to his own country, he must face another fearful potential conflict. His twin brother Esau is coming with 400 men. Jacob fears this group approaches to take revenge for cheating Esau out of the family blessing 20 years earlier. Jacob is so afraid that he splits his company into two camps, even as he prays for deliverance. He also prepares an enormous gift to appease Esau. Finally, while alone in the dark, Jacob is unexpectedly forced to wrestle a mysterious man, who turns out to be God Himself in some manifested form. In a profound moment of symbolism, God forces Jacob to state his own name, which God then changes to Israel.

Jacob came to work for Laban while running from the murderous rage of his twin brother, Esau. Jacob was routinely cheated by Laban, eventually resolving to go back home along with his entire family. Unfortunately, this means coming back to face Esau. Jacob soon learns that Esau is headed his way with 400 men. Are they coming to kill Jacob in revenge for his deceit in stealing Isaac's blessing 20 years earlier? Jacob is afraid. He divides his large company into two camps. He prays earnestly to God for deliverance, and he prepares a huge gift to appease Esau. Finally, alone in the dark, Jacob physically grapples with a mysterious man who turns out to be God Himself, in some form. The man questions Jacob, changes his name to Israel, and pronounces a blessing. Thus prepared, Jacob will finally be reunited with his brother in the next chapter.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 4/30/2024 12:49:25 PM