Genesis 32:3-21

Jacob Takes Precautions to Appease Esau.

Genesis 32:3 a seems to be from J, Genesis 32:13 b - Genesis 32:21 from E. Genesis 32:9 may be an expansion. According to J, Jacob divides his company into two camps, so that one may escape if Esau attacks. E represents Jacob as making up a very valuable present to win Esau's favour. This consists of goats, sheep, camels, cattle, and asses. He hits on the plan of arranging them in separate droves, with a space between each. Each drover is to say that it is a present for Esau, and that Jacob is behind. Thus Esau, when he expects to see Jacob, is to be again and again surprised with a fresh present; so it is hoped that his anger will have vanished by the time he meets his brother.

Genesis 32:7. two companies: the word is the same as that rendered host in Genesis 32:2; it is a second explanation of the name Mahanaim, the writer taking the word as a dual; probably it is not really such, though it has a dual termination.

Genesis 32:9. A beautiful prayer, but the absence of any confession of sin is remarkable, considering the root of Jacob's well-grounded fear.